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MLB
Phillies have one area they need to improve on moving forward
TL;DR
The Philadelphia Phillies are currently 19-22 and nine games behind the Atlanta Braves in the NL East. Despite recent improvements, they struggle significantly against left-handed pitching.
Key points
- Phillies are 19-22 this season
- Nine games behind the Atlanta Braves
- Ranked 19th in OPS and 18th in batting average
- Tied for fourth in innings pitched and first in strikeouts
- Struggling against left-handed pitching
Philadelphia PhilliesAtlanta BravesCincinnati Reds
Phillies have one area they need to improve on moving forward originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
At 19-22, the Philadelphia Phillies' season has not gone to plan. The Phillies sit nine games behind the Atlanta Braves for the lead in the National League East, but are playing well, as they're 7-3 in their last 10 games.
The Phillies have flipped the script at the plate and on the mound, as they ranked at or near the bottom of every major category. The Phillies as a team are now 19th in baseball for OPS (.699) and 18th in batting average (.237), while the pitching staff is tied with the Cincinnati Reds for fourth in innings pitched (366.1) and first in strikeouts (394).
However, the one area where the Phillies have struggled is hitting left-handed pitching.
The Philadelphia Phillies have a hard time hitting left-handed pitching
The Phillies have had a hard time consistently hitting left-handed pitching this season, as they're batting .217 with a .657 OPS and striking out 104 times. According to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki, hitting left-handed pitching is something the Phillies need to improve in moving forward.
Q&A
What is the Philadelphia Phillies' current record in the season?
The Philadelphia Phillies have a current record of 19-22.
How do the Phillies rank in hitting left-handed pitching?
The Phillies have struggled significantly in hitting left-handed pitching, ranking poorly in this area.
What are the Phillies' recent performance trends?
The Phillies have been performing well recently, with a record of 7-3 in their last 10 games.