Phillies Jeopardize MLB Playoff Dreams By Tripping Themselves Up

Jul 31, 2023, 10:32 pm ET in MLB

Read Time: 4 min

The Phillies Odds for MLB Playoffs Are Their Worst Enemies

The Philadelphia Phillies suffered a heartbreaking 6-4 loss in 10 innings against the Pirates, capping a brutal weekend in Pittsburgh. This MLB defeat leaves the defending National League champions trailing behind Miami and Milwaukee by just half a game for the third wild-card spot, impacting the Phillies odds for MLB playoffs.

Unfortunately, the Phillies have been their own worst enemies this MLB season, making costly mistakes that have cost them crucial games. On Sunday, three Phillies players contributed to the baseball team’s woes with varying degrees of responsibility.

Awkward Decisions By Manager Thomson

Manager Rob Thomson made head-scratching decisions before the game even began, benching left-handed hitters Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh against the Pirates’ southpaw pitcher Rich Hill. Both Stott and Marsh have been productive hitters, making Thomson’s decision puzzling and making Phillies odds for MLB playoffs seem somewhat of a fantasy. Furthermore, Thomson’s questionable choice to remove starting pitcher Cristopher Sanchez after five innings and just 73 pitches disrupted the MLB team’s momentum. Sanchez was pitching a no-hitter, but his replacement, Seranthony Dominguez, allowed key hits.

Shortstop Trea Turner’s performance has been a concern as well. The high-profile $300-million acquisition had a rough week, committing his unlucky error number 13 on Sunday by interfering with a routine pop-up, leading to further problems on the field.

DH Bryce Harper’s baserunning mishap in the 10th inning added to the Phillies’ woes. With a golden opportunity to score, Harper’s attempt to advance home ended in an unfortunate 9-2-4-2 double play. The Phillies’ baserunning mistakes have been a recurring issue, and as the face of the franchise, Harper needs to step up, if he wants to up the Phillies odds for MLB playoffs.

Last Chance: Upcoming 4-Game Series With the Marlins

With the upcoming MLB game series against the Marlins, the Phillies have a chance to turn their fortunes around and revitalize their playoff hopes. Currently, they are in a prime position to secure a wild-card spot despite the recent setbacks. However, to guarantee their postseason appearance, they must clean up their act and play error-free baseball. The pressure is on, and the next series against the Marlins could be a defining moment for the Phillies as they struggle to secure a spot in the playoffs.

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