The Philadelphia Phillies are set to shake things up. After 20 consecutive innings without scoring a run, manager Rob Thomson is planning changes to the batting order.
“Just change the mindset a little bit, you know?” Thomson said.
Phillies’ Offensive Struggles
The Phillies finished a series at Oracle Park with a 5-0 loss, marking their 20th straight inning without a run. They will return to Citizens Bank Park with a new batting order. The Phillies began a road trip with a seven-run first inning. Over the next 53 innings, they only managed 12 runs. In the final two games at Oracle Park, the team had one extra-base hit.
Bryce Harper acknowledged the team’s struggles. “We have to come together as a team and play better and have better at-bats and all those things,” Harper said.
Harper also stated, “On a personal level, I feel great. So, I’m happy about that. But obviously, as a team, that doesn’t really help us.”
Thomson Perturbed by Ground Ball Outs
Thomson noted a specific issue in the team’s at-bats. “Pull-side groundballs,” Thomson said. “Ten pull-side ground-ball outs. You have to use the field.”
The Phillies have a .658 OPS through 12 games. That is tied for their lowest mark in the first 12 games of a season over the last decade.
Hoping For a Spark
Catcher J.T. Realmuto said, “You know how contagious hitting is.” Realmuto also said, “We’re just missing that spark where it takes one two-out knock to get us to score seven instead of zero.” Realmuto will probably miss another game Friday with a badly bruised and swollen foot.
There is a sense inside the clubhouse that everyone else b
The batting order will look different when the Phillies return to Citizens Bank Park.