Batting Around: Should the Phillies be concerned or is this just a slump that will eventually end?

After a comeback win Wednesday night, the Phillies are now 3-7 in their last 10 games

By Mike Axisa Aug 8, 2024 at 9:01 am ET• 3 min read

Throughout the season the CBS Sports MLB experts will bring you a weekly Batting Around roundtable breaking down pretty much anything. The latest news, a historical question, thoughts about the future of baseball, all sorts of stuff. Last week we discussed the contenders that didn't do enough at the trade deadline. This week we're going to tackle the struggling Phillies.

How concerned should the Phillies be about their recent slump?

R.J. Anderson:I don't think they should be too worried. We know they have a really good team (albeit one that was probably playing over its head over the first few months); we know they've been facing one postseason club after another (roughly eight of their last nine series, depending on how you feel about a few teams); and we know that lately they've been on the wrong side of some one-run losses (five since July 24 as of this writing). I have to believe that Harper is going to start hitting the way he has his entire life; that they'll get the pitching figured out; and that they'll start winning some of those close games again.

Matt Snyder:I'll say only slightly. I've already detailed the slumps we've seen in the last decade from teams that went on to win the pennant and the Phillies certainly have enough talent to join that group. My one concern has been the rotation depth due to Zack Wheeler's minor back issues, the downturn for Cristopher Sánchez, Ranger Suárez's slump and now injury and the loss of Spencer Turnbull to a lat strain. Well, Wheeler was dominant last time out, Sánchez looked much better against a good Dodgers team Tuesday and Suárez is throwing bullpens. The rest of this tough road trip could be rocky, but once they get home to face the Marlins and Nationals they'll get hot again.