By: Matthew Mack

The Phillies headed to Arizona  to face the Diamondbacks for a three-game set.

Normally, we would do game by game to give you highlights of the series that went down. Not this time. Here are some hard truths. In the first two games of the series, the Phillies could only muster a lofty, pathetic five hits. Yes four runs were scored but the D-backs put up more runs than the Phils. You see, while the Phillies bats became icicles, Arizona started hitting and playing without a care. They looked like a team that was ready to do damage, not Philadelphia. Many of Philly’s hitters were even pressing. Bryce Harper’s streak of reaching base safely ended in this series. They did not have any answers in these first two games. It was like they were lulled to sleep and the entire Delaware Valley was yelling and charging the Phillies to get up while the D-backs did whatever they wanted. They got to starters Kyle Gibson and Ranger Suárez but it was not too bad. Both pitched respectfully well and the bullpen led by J.D. Hammer and others held down the fort, giving their team a chance to win which was not the case. They even had a lead in the first and second game of the series which was gone in a blink of an eye. If you have not noticed, the Phillies lost both games

In the last game of the series, your ace is up for your team. Usually that would be a win. However, even though they were facing Madison Bumgarner. You would expect Wheeler to be great. However,  in the seventh inning he was leaking oil. Arizona scored five runs. Enyel De Los Santos, who is a liability that no one wants to even talk about, let two inherited runners score in the same inning when he came in relief of Wheeler. Outside of that inning, Wheeler did pitch well. Phils the bats were still asleep in this game as well. When they woke up, it was too late and the game was over and they lost 6-2. 

They were swept by the worst team in all of Major League Baseball and they have to go and face a struggling San Diego Padres team that is having their own pitching woes and trying to hold on to the other Wild Card spot in the National League. The Phillies are digging their own grave. In the series, as a team batted a putrid .149. They cannot play and bat like this. Many players have stressed their displeasure in how Arizona turned out and rightfully so. This team closed on the Mets, got hot, took first place, then get cold and now you’re back to where you were when the month started. Four games out of first behind the Atlanta Braves. Unlike the Mets, the Braves are hot and they are without Ronald Acuña. 

There are six weeks left of baseball left. Yes, plenty of baseball left. Can they turn it around and reclaim first place in the division or overtake the Padres in the Wild Card? Maybe. But if the Phillies lose this golden opportunity to win the division, let alone make it to the postseason, they have themselves to blame. They need to wake up quick, fast and in a hurry. Batting .149 in a series will not do. The Arizona series was a disgrace and they must do better or this season is over.