The Key to Success
The Phillies have weathered a rough slump and seem to be rolling again. From June 9 through Aug. 5, the Phillies went 21-28. That was a fairly lengthy decline, but after that rough patch, the Phillies are back again, playing like one of the top teams in baseball, looking to secure the No. 1 seed in the National League.
One reason the Phillies have been able to rebound is that they have received critical performances from so many players. The Phillies have had their share of key injuries. Trea Turner and JT Realmuto missed extensive time due to hamstring and knee injuries respectively.
The Phillies were able to withstand the injuries due to the play of Edmundo Sosa, who filled in admirably for Tuner and Garrett Stubbs and Rafael Marchan, who filled in for Realmuto. Stubbs has never been much of a hitter, but his defense has been strong, and he has pieced together some timely hits. Marchan had some timely hits and even recently Aramis Garcia gave the Phillies a key defensive effort behind the plate.
The Phillies have had to piece together a fifth starter for the longest time . Even though they have struggled to find any consistency in this role, earlier this season Bishop Eustace graduate Tyler Phillips gave the Philles three wins, including an 8-0 shutout over Cleveland. Since then he has slumped, but those wins were crucial.
More recently, former Millville star Buddy Kennedy has delivered some clutch hits. So have outfielders Weston Wilson and Cal Stevenson.
Kody Clemens has helped in a varsity of positions and has gotten some clutch hits.
The Phillies appear to be getting healthier as the postseason nears and many of these players may not get much of a chance during the playoffs, but their contributions have been invaluable in the regular season.
In the playoffs, there won’t be a need for a fifth starter, but even a pitcher such as Kolby Allard gave the Phillies some key starts that helped them in this regular season.
Once the playoffs begin, there won’t be as big a need for the bench players, provided the Phillies stay healthy.
Turner, Realmuto, Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Alec Bohm and Nick Castellanos are six players who will likely play every game and every inning (barring any blowouts).
Bryson Stott will get the bulk of time at second base and the only question is whether manager Rob Thomson will use Sosa against certain lefthanders.
Brandon Marsh will start in left field and there is a question whether Thomson will sit him against lefthanders. If that is the case, Wilson could see action. The Phillies acquired Austin Hays to play a lot in left, but he has had a few injuries and his status for the postseason likely isn’t clear at this point.
Johan Rojas is still a defensive whiz in centerfield and should see some time this postseason. Again, after he struggled in last year’s postseason (going 4-for-43, .093), he likely won’t be playing all the time.
Still, he has been a key contributor this year as have many others, who might not have a big role during the playoffs (or might not even be on the roster), but the ability to have so many players contribute this year, has been a major part of the Phillies’ success.
Photo: Phillies Johan Rojas / Marc Narducci
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Author: Marc Narducci
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