Can the Philadelphia Phillies Recover?

Phillies manager Rob Thomson claps during a game. Whether the Phillies recover depends on Thomson getting the most out of his team.

Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

May 23, 2023

Can the Philadelphia Phillies recover and do another magical run like the one that led them to the 2022 World Series? Right now — no sugar-coating it — offensively, starting pitching, bullpen, and defensively this team is simply not playing good baseball.

Offense

They are ranked number eight in hitting with a .261 average. However, they are ranked number 11 in strikeouts and number 20 in home runs and runs scored. They are failing to execute with runners in scoring position. In their last four games, they are 4-for-43 with runners in scoring position.

Rhys Hoskins Injury

The Rhys Hoskins injury might be the biggest difference for this Phillies team. After an excellent 2022 season, the first baseman suffered an ACL tear in spring training. This could be the biggest reason why the team’s offensive production has declined. Alec Bohm and Kody Clemens have filled in but have not had the consistency that Hoskins had.

Defense

Defensively, they are committing costly errors. They’re ranked number 15 in fielding, 27 in assists, and are last in the NL in total chances. They are throwing to the wrong bases. Trea Turner has struggled. His six errors at shortstop have not helped. As a team they are last in turning the double play.

Starting Pitching

Starting pitching is also struggling this season. Only Matt Strahm has an ERA below 4.00. Top pitcher Aaron Nola, so far in 55 2/3 innings, holds an ERA of 4.31; Zack Wheeler is at 4.11. Bailey Falter was 0-7 with a 5.13 ERA and was finally sent to the minors to work on everything. Their overall starting pitcher ERA is 4.68, which ranks in the bottom ten of baseball.

Bullpen

We know the Phillies bullpen has been problematic for the last few years — and this year is no exception. Their overall ERA has improved recently but is still at 4.14. They have given up 18 home runs and 77 walks.

During the offseason, the bullpen was seen as an area of improvement. They signed Craig Kimbrel to close out games but has four saves in 10 opportunities. He currently has an ERA of 6.19.

Jose Alvarado took over as the closer. In 14 games, he has five saves with a 0.63 ERA. However, he just was placed on IL. Connor Brogdon is the only healthy member in the Phillies bullpen with an ERA under 3.00 at 2.63.

Two Free Agent Signings

Whether the Philadelphia Phillies recover depends on a number of things, including their two biggest free-agent signings this past offseason. Trea Turner and Taijuan Walker need to do more. Turner has been hitting better as of late, but he is chasing pitches and that is leading to many groundouts or strikeouts.

Walker has been a bottom-five starting pitcher in baseball this season in ERA. The velocity has been there, but his command has been sporadic. Hitters don’t fear any of his offerings other than the splitter. His walks are up, and strikeouts are down. On top of that, he is struggling to get at least five innings pitched.

They Know It

The team knows they must play better. They know they’ve got to figure it out and the winning must start soon. Heading into this season, Phillies fans expected their team to be serious contenders. However, 47 games in, they are sitting fourth in the NL East. If they keep playing that way, they’ll dig a hole too deep to get out of.

Still Time

The good news is that there is still time for them to get on a roll. They are getting some players back that were out with injuries. That will help. Outfielder Bryce Harper, a vocal leader, has already returned. He’s played in 17 games since returning and once he’s fully healthy, he should help the team in a big way both with his leadership and his play on the field.

Pitcher Ranger Suarez is also back and has pitched in two games. He should add some consistency to the staff once he gets back into game shape. He is a work horse and should help stabilize the starting rotation.

Something or Someone to Rally Around

Can the Philadelphia Phillies recover? They need to find something or someone to rally around like they did last season. They had quite an extraordinary recovery after they let Manager Joe Girardi go. The team rallied around new manager Rob Thomson and went 65–46 the rest of the way.

Catcher J.T. Realmuto, starting pitcher Zack Wheeler, and closer Corey Knebel stepped up and led the team to the playoffs. They made it to the postseason as the sixth seed and ended their run two wins short of winning the World Series.

They still have a chance to be competitive. The Phillies have the talent. The talent simply needs to start producing consistently both offensively and defensively. Yes, the season is just over a quarter of the way done and if the pitching and hitting come around at the same time, they could find themselves challenging for a playoff spot. However, if a turnaround doesn’t and come by late July, they could unload some veterans with a look at revamping this team.