Zack Wheeler threw seven strong innings on Sunday night against the Mets, but the Phillies' bats fell silent in a disappointing 2-1 loss at Citi Field. Their magic number to clinch the National League East remains at one. The team will face the Cubs in Philly on Monday, hoping their third attempt to lock up the division will be the charm.
Sunday's game wasn't particularly meaningful on its face. The Phillies will still win the division. They will likely have a first-round bye. And because they hold a tiebreaker over the Dodgers, the NL's number one seed and guaranteed home field advantage throughout the postseason is still very much in play.
But.
The game was also a reminder of fans' worst fears about this Phillies club. Specifically, fears about the offense failing to show up in big games. After scoring a run on three singles in the first inning on Sunday, the Phils were held scoreless on two hits over the remainder of the game.
Edwin Díaz secures a six-out save 🎺
The @Mets hold a two-game lead over the Braves in the NL Wild Card race with a three-game series in Atlanta starting Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/YGKjcQrNKn
Fair or not, last year's NLCS collapse against the Diamondbacks will haunt this lineup unless/until they redeem themselves. And after the Phillies produced just nine hits over two potential division-clinching games this week, the ghosts of that series loom large.
"We’ve had a lot of experiences, and we’ve experienced a lot of really good pitching," Kyle Schwarber said after the game. "Obviously, throughout this year and postseasons past where we’ve faced really good staffs. For us, it’s going to come down to finding a way to get guys on base and manufacturing those runs to get in. It’s not always going to be a home run. A run’s a run. For us, that’s our focus. Try to find a way on base, and the guy behind is going to try to find a way to get you in."
Schwarber hit a 409-foot fly ball in the second inning that somehow stayed in the park. Bryson Stott walked in the ninth inning and made his way to third base. But for the most part, the Phillies just didn't put together good at-bats. Strikeouts were an issue throughout the entire road trip, as the team fell victim to its habit of chasing balls out of the zone.
PHILLIES OFFENSE THIS WEEK:
81 strikeouts in 7 games
The offense is going to be what holds them back in October at this rate
Sad.
pic.twitter.com/Oq4LSPtrtd
Wheeler's performance was a bright spot, of course: 7 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, 94 pitches (76 strikes). The ace has allowed two earned runs or less in his last ten starts, 15 of his last 16 starts, and 26 of his 31 starts this season.
"I mean it's disappointing," Wheeler said afterwards. "But at the end of the day, we can go home and win this thing in front of our own fans and just start playing a little better once we get home. Just try to win these next couple series and go into the playoffs hot."
Wheels made very few mistakes. But Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo took him deep in the sixth inning, which proved to be the difference in the game.
Brandon Nimmo sends Citi Field into a frenzy! 🍎
The @Mets take the lead! #SundayNightBaseball pic.twitter.com/CpoaQt8p7c
"I knew the pitch was a good pitch to hit," said Wheeler. (Nimmo crushed a 94 mph fastball right down the middle.) "Once he hit it, I knew he hit it well . . . It's just a bad pitch by me and hit well from him."
Aaron Nola will get the ball on Monday night as the Phillies look to pop champagne back at home. Six games remain in the regular season: three against the Cubs in Citizens Bank Park, followed by three in DC against the Nationals.
That's six opportunities for the offense to heat up. Then it's on to the postseason... whether the bats are ready or not.
