Down 0-2 in the best-of-five NLDS, the Philadelphia Phillies are on the ropes, outclassed by their fellow NL heavyweight Los Angeles Dodgers. In both losses, the Phillies found themselves unable to exploit the Dodgers bullpen, their one major flaw. While the circumstances differed, the outcomes were shockingly similar, falling short in both games by less than three runs and scoring only three in each. Low scores such as these don’t fully reflect the prolific power profile the Phillies are known for, but this is probably because their best bats have gone rather silent.
Their usual run-scoring culprits, Bryce Harper (1-for-7, BB), Trea Turner (1-for-7, two BB) and Kyle Schwarber (0-7, BB), have scuffled mightily against Dodgers pitching this playoff cycle. And although most of the lineup is in a similar rut, these three top-of-the-order bats have combined to score only one run of the Phillies six total runs, coming in the form of an RBI single from Turner. Compare this to the regular season, where they combined to score 277 of the Phillies’ 778 total runs and 276 of their 753 total RBI.
In their respective postseason careers, both Harper and Schwarber have been absolute lightning rods while, to a lesser extent, Turner has been a solid producer. To have each of their brightest stars dimmed when they are needed most has crippled the Phillies in this series, resulting in losing two close games and threatening a quick demise.
On the Dodgers side of the diamond, the pitching staff has been effective in limiting damage and keeping the ball in the park. As a whole, the Phillies have yet to hit a home run. This makes any contribution from their top three hitters all the more important.
On the cusp of elimination against what now seems to be a superior adversary, Philadelphia can’t afford to be anything less than perfect. If the Phillies are going to survive, they will need no shortage of run support from the struggling trio of Harper, Turner and Schwarber. Unless they are firing on all cylinders, we can only expect another disappointing postseason finish for Philadelphia.
