2024 Phillies Season Discussion

[Philsmania]

My issue with Walker is that they lavished 4 years and $72 million on a guy who was never good. A fourth starter is not worth that much. Pay some bloke $20 million for two years for a fourth starter.

[MichaelJackSchmidt]

The Philadelphia Phillies Are No Longer a 'Good Baseball Team'

[zambonir]

I just gotta think the team that managed to win three straight games and the Dodgers series will show up again. And I think they had a fine trade deadline. Not that many impact players actually moved anyway. The players who got them there are the players who need to show up again, and I don't really see anything wrong with the bench. The back-up catcher or a pinch-hitter isn't what's causing this streak and neither is the 5th starter. It's Turner, JT, Stott, Marsh. And Harper (.661 OPS last 28 days). Who knew Bohm and Casty would be the only reliable hitters (or that the guy who hit .197 last year would flirt with a .900 OPS again).

Last year they didn't believe in Sanchez and acquired an inferior pitcher. The year before that they didn't believe in Falter and got Thor (with Eflin out). To get another pitcher this year would have meant removing Sanchez from the rotation ultimately (which, granted, doesn't sound like a bad idea right now) or Suarez being seriously injured. They both made the All-Star team. Phillips and Allard and even Walker last night have done enough for them to win with any kind of offense (even if the bullpen has cost them a few too).

We always knew a stretch like this was coming. Just didn't think it would last more than 12 or 15 games. Hopefully the standings (as far as the Top 2 seeds) and the tougher schedule the rest of August will produce some urgency rather than more folding under pressure. We know they can do it. And I certainly don't think a new hitting coach (let alone manager) is the answer.

Thomson hinting at line-up changes - moving Turner down, maybe some time off for Marsh. Getting Bohm and Casty higher in the short-term probably not a bad idea

[owaistabish]

I agree - this team is too talented but they need to get off their high horses and start winning here now. They have Washington (James Wood is red hot), Braves (always do well against Phils), Royals (playoff team and playing well), Astros (red hot) and then Braves to close out August. Not an easy stretch - they need to step it up now. We need to actually see "we want to win this year" in action now - words dont matter anymore, results/wins do.

[julio]

I agree - this team is too talented but they need to get off their high horses and start winning here now.

What is "get off their high horses..." supposed to mean? What is it with some fans who just assume when a team struggles that it's due to bad attitude, or "not caring enough"?

[owaistabish]

Not the best phrase to use in this scenario - but meant to say - show a bit more urgency like they did past two years and we know what they can do in the last few months of the season and in playoffs.

[julio]

Oh, I see. They're not showing enough urgency...I'm not sure how that differs.

I get it. You want different outcomes. We all do. Where we differ is in how we try to understand what's happening. You don't think they're trying hard enough; I don't think you have any objective basis for reaching that conclusion.

[zambonir]

If anything they seem to be trying too hard. Or thinking too much.

But there was probably some complacency involved as well. It's really one of the hardest things in sports, to actually prepare for every game like it is a must-win, and every opponent like they are the 1927 Yankees. You can say you are going to do it, but the brain still knows better. This is also why we routinely see teams come back from 3-0 or 3-1 playoff series deficits for at least a few games.

Now, however, they can't be complacent about their record or the opponents. And that is a whole new challenge.

[Austinfan]

This is why process matters, doing things the "right way" so that you don't have to depend on "urgency" or "adrenalin" or whatever causes athletes to reach temporary peaks.

The one fault I find with Dombrowski is too much emphasis on "hitting," not enough on hitters who know how to hit, i.e., plate discipline, work a count, drive pitch counts up, patiently wait for mistakes, take what the pitcher gives (don't try and pull everything). Schwarber is the best (and has learned to take balls the other way), Stott showed potential but now is too aggressive, Marsh the same. The others get by more on talent than fundamentals, and when they slump, have nothing to fall back on - and even top talent tends to age badly in a player's 30s.

[andyb]

Working the count was not their issue last night. Missing hittable pitches was their issue. This is a good lineup with a pretty good balance of patience and aggressiveness. They are just not hitting well now.

[Philsmania]

Working the count was not their issue last night. Missing hittable pitches was their issue. This is a good lineup with a pretty good balance of patience and aggressiveness. They are just not hitting well now.

I've noticed as well that they have been popping out an awful lot lately. Bad at-bats.

[andyb]

There were definitely a lot of pop ups last night. It seems there has been more than typical in general in the past few weeks. I am sure others could point to the data on this. It just feels like we are missing pitches we were hitting a couple of months ago for whatever reason.

[flyers19rw]

The offense perks up against hard throwing pitchers. When facing junk ballers, things go badly. If it’s a left handed breaking ball pitcher, it usually gets tougher yet for them.

[Philsmania]

The offense perks up against hard throwing pitchers. When facing junk ballers, things go badly. If it’s a left handed breaking ball pitcher, it usually gets tougher yet for them.

Perhaps a book is out on the Phillies in terms what pitchers to send out against them?

[Austinfan]

I think their struggles against junk ballers is the unwillingness to keep their hands back and go with the pitch. Bohm is really good at this, Schwarber has improved, Harper is trying (with his power he doesn't need to pull the ball).

A good sign of impatience is when they're constantly pulling GBs, that usually happens then the hitter is in front of a pitch and is rolling the bat over.

[andyb]

Or maybe they are just having a hard time figuring out which strikes to swing at. And hitting the ones they do.

You keep trying to change every major league hitter into your stereotype of a good hitter. That is just not how it works. Everyone is different. Some are pressing. Some are guessing. Some are probably not 100% healthy. But their approach is generally not the issue (and certainly is not in broad strokes). It is their execution. Slumps happen. Slumps end. Kevin Long is not an idiot. The hitters are all trying and did not forget what got them there.

[Jazzhead]

Execution is key, it's just harder to when the boo birds are out. I was at last night's game, and it was a depressing affair, especially when the Phans didn't make it out of the top of the first without bellowing their displeasure. I don't blame 'em, but it sure seems counterproductive.

Maybe a Schwarbomb can cure all ills. For that to happen tonight, the bullpen needs to do it's job.

[Philsmania]

Execution is key, it's just harder to when the boo birds are out. I was at last night's game, and it was a depressing affair, especially when the Phans didn't make it out of the top of the first without bellowing their displeasure. I don't blame 'em, but it sure seems counterproductive.

Maybe a Schwarbomb can cure all ills. For that to happen tonight, the bullpen needs to do it's job.

Boo hoo. If players can't produce when their fee-fees are hurt have no place in MLB.

[zambonir]

I was actually thinking it was time for a repeat of last year's Turner love fest.

Come to think of it what's the Phillies' record since Eskin was banned?

[HopeSpringsEternal]

Maybe a Schwarbomb can cure all ills. For that to happen tonight, the bullpen needs to do it's job.

Good call!