In a striking reflection of their current struggles, Bryce Harper stated, "the only thing the flat Phillies can do in Los Angeles is 'flip the script.'" However, flipping the script isn’t enough; it’s more like the Phillies need to completely rewrite their narrative, as their Hollywood dreams have turned into a nightmare. Key players like Harper, Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, and Nick Castellanos all come with hefty price tags and high expectations, yet they’ve collectively turned in a disappointing performance this postseason.
To put it in perspective, these five players have managed a dismal 5 hits over 35 at-bats during the opening two games of the National League Division Series, resulting in 13 strikeouts and zero home runs. This dip in performance is alarming, especially considering the Phillies have invested a staggering $291.7 million in their roster, only to again witness the same cold bats from their star players that previously plagued them in past playoff appearances.
In Game 2, the Dodgers thwarted the Phillies' attempts at a late comeback, sealing a 4-3 victory that puts Philadelphia on the brink of elimination. Manager Rob Thomson noted, "I think those guys are trying to do a little too much right now, instead of just being themselves and looking for base hits. The power will come." Interestingly, this advice might reveal a deeper issue — when pressure builds in the playoffs, it can lead to overthinking by even the most seasoned players.
Dominating performances by Dodgers pitchers Blake Snell and Emmet Sheehan kept the Phillies to merely three hits over eight innings. The lone offensive spark from Philadelphia occurred in the ninth inning, where they scored two runs, but it proved inadequate. Trea Turner, who just clinched the NL batting title, grounded out to end the game, a fitting conclusion to a frustrating night.
To break it down further, the previously celebrated trio of Turner, Schwarber, and Harper went a combined 1-for-10 in Game 2, stacking on five strikeouts for good measure. In Game 1, their joint effort was hardly better, yielding just 1 hit from 11 at-bats with six strikeouts and no RBIs. Harper insisted, "I wouldn't say we're pressing. We're missing pitches over the plate. They're making good pitches when they need to. That's kind of how baseball works sometimes."
A curious decision unfolded in the ninth inning when Bryson Stott was called upon to sacrifice bunt with no outs and Castellanos standing at second base. The outcome was disappointing: Stott executed the bunt, but the Dodgers managed to get an out at third, and the following two outs prevented any further scoring. Thomson explained, "I wanted to play for the tie. I liked where our bullpen was compared to theirs," signaling a strategy that raised eyebrows among fans.
Stott defended the strategy, reflecting that while he aimed for precision with the bunt, the Dodgers executed their defense flawlessly. "We’re in the postseason and you’re trying to win games and getting the tying run on third with less than two outs is big. You get the bunt down and you want to play for that. It just didn’t really work," he lamented.
As for the pitching woes, the absence of ace Zack Wheeler, now recovering from surgery for a blood clot in his pitching shoulder, has left the team scrambling. Cristopher Sanchez and Jesus Luzardo stepped up admirably, yet the strain of their situation is evident. Now, the spotlight turns to Aaron Nola, a one-time ace, as he prepares to take the mound in Game 3. Nola has endured a challenging season marred by injuries and inconsistency, yet has a track record of performing in postseason games with a career playoff ERA of 4.02 from 10 starts.
"You can't get three wins in Game 3, right?" Nola joked, hopeful, "I've been feeling pretty good. My body's all healthy." Yet, the question lingers: can the Phillies find a way to ignite their faltering offense?
Headed to Los Angeles, they hope the change of scenery works in their favor. Until now, their playoff runs have been punctuated by disappointment at Kevin’s Park, with only two wins out of their last eleven games there: a number that casts doubt upon their chances. Harper expressed the collective desire to turn their fortunes around: "It’s been tough. We’ve got to just flip the script and understand we’re a really good baseball team."
Indeed, they have the potential to be a great team, but their track record begs to differ. They fell short to Houston in the 2022 World Series, lost to Arizona in the subsequent National League Championship Series, and faced elimination from the Mets in the last NLDS. A potential sweep could signal a drastic transition for key players like Schwarber, Realmuto, and Suarez, and possibly even Thomson’s future as the manager of this high-profile team.
These thoughts linger as they go into what could be their season's final game. "This is a resilient group," Thomson reminded everyone. "Our backs are against the wall. We’ve just got to come out fighting." Is this enough of a rallying cry to push through, or is it just another chapter in a heartbreaking postseason saga for the Phillies? What do you think? Can they turn this around in Game 3, or is it time for changes in Philadelphia?
