Harper, Turner, Schwarber Go Cold in Phillies’ NLDS Slump

The Philadelphia Phillies’ hunt for postseason glory has hit an offensive wall in the early stages of the NLDS. Key stars Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Kyle Schwarber just haven’t made their usual explosive impact.

The trio, who usually provide most of the team’s firepower, has gone cold. Through the first two games, they’ve combined for a rough 2-for-21 with 11 strikeouts.

Game 2 really showed the problem. Harper struck out in a critical sixth-inning at-bat, and then the Los Angeles Dodgers grabbed momentum with a four-run seventh inning.

The Phillies ended up losing a tight one, 4-3. There’s still plenty of confidence in the clubhouse, but let’s be honest — something’s gotta change if Philadelphia wants to keep their postseason hopes alive.

Phillies’ Big Bats Struggling at the Wrong Time

The numbers don’t lie. Three of the Phillies’ most dangerous hitters just aren’t coming through in clutch spots.

Turner admitted the team feels “one hit away” from breaking through, but he also knows they need more consistency at the plate. Manager Rob Thomson thinks his stars might be pressing, swinging for the fences instead of just making solid contact.

A Home Run Dependency That’s Backfiring

The Phillies have leaned hard on the long ball, and it’s starting to bite them. Since the start of the 2023 NLCS, they’re 11-0 when Harper homers, but just 1-9 when he doesn’t.

That’s a lot of weight on Harper’s shoulders. Pitchers are attacking him differently in October, so maybe it’s time for a new approach.

Kyle Schwarber’s Slump Deepens

Despite an MVP-caliber regular season, Kyle Schwarber is stuck in a brutal slump. He’s gone 0-for-21 with 13 strikeouts over his last six games.

Schwarber isn’t hiding from it. He says he hasn’t done enough to help the team and promises he’ll do whatever he can to turn it around.

Walks Are Not Enough

Philadelphia’s offense has managed to get runners on base with a disciplined approach and plenty of walks. But those runners are getting stranded way too often.

It’s strange, considering the Phillies led the NL in hits and were among MLB’s best in late-inning OPS during the regular season. Postseason baseball, though, rewards teams that deliver in the big moments — and right now, that’s not the Phillies.

Missed Opportunities in Game 2

In Game 2, late chances slipped away. Harper struck out with runners on in the sixth inning, right before the Dodgers’ rally.

Turner got his shot in the ninth with the tying run on base, but he grounded out to end it. That one stung.

Pressure on the Core Trio

When October comes, stars are supposed to shine. The Phillies’ postseason hopes rest squarely on Harper, Turner, and Schwarber, but their struggles have shifted momentum to the Dodgers.

Still, you can’t count these guys out. They’ve come back before.

Reasons for Optimism

Even with this cold spell, the postseason resumes of Philadelphia’s stars are tough to ignore:

• Kyle Schwarber sits fourth all-time with 21 playoff home runs.
• Bryce Harper owns an insane 1.111 OPS as a Phillie in the postseason, just behind Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in MLB history.
• Trea Turner has proven he can deliver in high-pressure moments, like last year’s playoff run.

These numbers didn’t happen by accident. They’re built on years of experience and the ability to adjust when it matters most.

The Path Forward

The Phillies need to re-center their approach if they want to shake off this offensive slump. Putting the ball in play and making defenses work could help them generate runs without always swinging for the fences.

Harper, Turner, and Schwarber have all shown they can deliver in October. One breakout performance from any of them might light a fire under the whole lineup.

Baseball’s postseason can flip the script in an instant. If the Phillies’ stars find their rhythm, these early NLDS struggles might just fade into the background.

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