Phillies Desperate for Offensive Additions

by Marc Narducci | Jun 1, 2026

There were so many complaints before the season that the Phillies looked like they had a team that would struggle in the playoffs. Right now, the Phillies fans could only hope that their team could reach the postseason.

Although they began week 30-29 and just 1.5 games out of the third wildcard spot, the Phillies have scant hope of qualifying for the postseason unless they have a dramatic offensive change.

Need a few examples?

The Phillies entered the week 30^th among 30 MLB teams in on-base percentage (.292). They were 28^th in OPS (.673). The Phillies were 27^th in runs (230) and 29^th in batting average (.224).

We could go on, but you get the picture.

The team entered the week having scored four or fewer runs in 11 consecutive games. Here are those games:

May 19: 4-1 loss vs. Cincinnati

May 20: 9-4 loss vs. Cincinnati

May 22: 1-0 loss vs. Cleveland

May 23: 3-0 win vs. Cleveland

May 24: 3-1 loss vs. Cleveland

May 25: 3-0 win at San Diego

May 26: 4-3 win at San Diego

May 27: 3-0 win at San Diego

May 29: 4-2 loss at LA Dodgers

May 30: 4-3 win at LA Dodgers

May 31: 9-1 loss at LA Dodgers

In these 11 games, the Phillies were 5-6, but that was mainly due to the pitching. For instance, Cristopher Sanchez, who began the week with a 44.2 inning scoreless streak, didn’t figure in the decision after throwing eight scoreless in the 1-0 loss against Cleveland.

Who knows what the Phillies could have accomplished if they hit the ball consistently in these 11 games.

Yet, it is being shortsighted to suggest that this is only an 11-game sample.

The Phillies have struggled at the plate virtually the entire season, evidenced by those dreary offensive numbers.

A lot of this is due to some questionable moves by Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski.

For some reason, Dombrowski has insisted on bringing in washed up American League players and hoping they jump-start the offense.

Last year it was Max Kepler.

This season it is struggling Adolis Garcia, who last had a good season in 2023 when he helped the Texas Rangers win the World Series.

Adolis began the week ranked No. 157 in MLB in OPS (.570). He was batting .191 with 70 strikeouts in 199 at-bats. And while he has been strong defensively, he also has -2 defensive runs saved, which is tied for sixth among MLB outfielders.

Yet, the Phillies brought Garcia in hoping he would jumpstart the offense and it just hasn’t happened.

Right now, there are only three players in the Phillies lineup who have fared well.

Brandon Marsh began the week hitting .317 with an .821 OPS

Bryce Harper is batting .261 but does have 13 home runs and 34 RBIs. He also has a team-high .361 on base percentage and is second on the Phillies in slugging percentage. Dombrowski’s comments over the winter suggesting Harper wasn’t elite last season, could also be used for this year. He is having a solid season, which isn’t the definition of elite.

Kyle Schwarber is only batting .234, but has a .347 on baes percentage and team bests in slugging percentage (.597) and OPS (.940).

He leads MLB with 22 home runs, but one would think he would have more than 39 RBIs, but that is because he has hit so many home runs with nobody on base.

Among the disappointments in the lineup Bryson Stott (.217 batting average), Trea Turner (.223, .273 on base percentage), Alec Bohm (.210 batting average, .606 OPS), J.T. Realmuto (.220 batting average) and rookie Justin Crawford (.234 batting average).

Due to the starting rotation and a solid bullpen, the Phillies have won plenty of games when the offense wasn’t in gear (which has been the majority of the season).

Dombrowski must trade for some punch in the offense because the Phillies need a major spark. Standing pat with this team by the Aug. 3 trade deadline could lead to the first October since 2021 that the Phillies could be watching the playoff instead of competing in them.

Bryson Stott / Marc Narducci

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Phillies Desperate for Offensive Additions

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