:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70880211/usa_today_18278028.0.jpg)
To say the Phillies’ offensive explosion this weekend in Los Angeles was unexpected is an understatement. Hitters pounded previously unhittable Dodger pitching and came within one strike of a clean, four-game sweep of the best team in baseball, a heart-breaking loss that partially soured an otherwise eye-opening series out west.
How unlikely was it?
Here is a great stat. 29% of the runs the @Dodgers have given up all season have come from the @Phillies the last 3 games. 71 runs in 29 games. And 29 runs in 3 games. #mlb #baseball #hittinseason @JohnStolnis
— Mark Constan (@markconstan) May 15, 2022
That stat, of course, came before the fourth game, although the Phils’ took a quick 4-0 lead in that one but couldn’t hold on. The question is, was this the real Phillies, or did the Dodgers take them too lightly?
We’ll find out a lot this week as the Phils welcome the San Diego Padres in for three games starting tonight, and then L.A. comes to town for a three-game rematch, a series in which they will undoubtedly be looking for some payback. The Friars have gotten off to a hot start and are tied with the Dodgers atop the NL West, with mere percentage points separating the two.
San Diego brings a coulda-been Phillie Manny Machado to town. Machado leads all of baseball with 2.8 fWAR, sporting a .359/.443/.586 slash line with 7 HRs, 23 RBIs, 27 runs scored and his usual sterling defense. These next six games should give us a really good insight into whether the inconsistent Phils we saw before last week are the real thing, or whether the team flipped a switch in L.A.
On the latest episode of Hittin’ Season, Liz Roscher of Yahoo! Sports, Baseball Prospectus’ Justin Klugh & I chatted about the Dodgers series, the incredible offense and even more incredible Bryce Harper, the on-again bullpen issues, and lots more!
Loading comments...