The New York Yankees just decisively swept the Philadelphia Phillies. Their traveling fans made Citizens Bank Park feel as tense as a Bronx subway station after midnight.
The Bombers slugged nine home runs, including four off the bat of trade acquisition Jazz Chisholm. They embarrassed a home team that’s supposed to be a World Series contender.
The Phillies have hit their worst slump of the 2024 season, and the longest stretch in franchise history between sweeps is over. The sky is falling, or is it?
They somehow still lead the NL East by six games following the MLB Trade Deadline. Their 65-43 record puts them narrowly behind Cleveland as the best team in baseball.
Other contending teams somehow haven’t made the Phillies pay for the brutal slump. A road trip to the West Coast affords them the opportunity to forget this brutal stretch of baseball ever happened.
Phillies vs. Cleveland Guardians
- Friday 7/26: Loss 3-1
- Saturday 7/27: Win 8-0
- Sunday 7/28: Loss 4-3
Phillies vs. New York Yankees
- Monday 7/29: Loss 14-4
- Tuesday 7/30: Loss 7-6
- Wednesday 7/31: Loss 6-5
All stats as of August 1
Bryce Harper Slumping
It’s easy to see the most appropriate microcosm of the frustration.
Bryce Harper returned from a hamstring injury on July 9. The two-time MVP has hit .149 with a .598 OPS in 17 games since.
He’s stuck in a 1/30 slump over his last seven games, and the difficulty peaked when he bounced into a game-ending double play on Wednesday to allow the Yankees to complete the sweep.
“I’ve played a lot of baseball in my career… Going through stretches like this is part of the game. It’s part of growing as a player. You’ve just got to keep going. Keep on keeping on.” -Bryce Harper
Harper belted a two-run home run on Saturday night for his only hit of the brutal seven-game stretch. The blast propelled the Phillies to a seven-run inning and a victory against Cleveland. However, an apparent opportunity for a turning point disappeared.
Phillies fans know the intensity that Bryce Harper plays with. The incredible emotion drives one of the best baseball players in the world, but he’ll also have to harness his aggression and control his emotions during one of the worst streaks of his career.
MLB Trade Deadline Acquisitions
The Phillies haven’t cashed in with much team success since making three new trade additions. However, the newest members of the team have all made appearances.
Austin Hays got off to a tough start, which Rob Thomson passed off as a natural adjustment for a hitter trying to make a big impression. The former Baltimore Oriole struck out five times in his first three games with Philadelphia.
However, Hays’ three-run homer on Tuesday night gave the Phillies a 4-1 lead (that they ultimately couldn’t hold).
He hit two more long fly balls on Wednesday that fell just feet short of dramatic home runs that could’ve announced his presence in Philadelphia. That’s the way things have gone for the Phillies in recent weeks.
Carlos Estevez retired Aaron Judge, Austin Wells, and Jazz Chisholm on three fly balls to center field in his Phillies debut on Tuesday. He pitched another scoreless ninth inning on Wednesday.
Tanner Banks also pitched a scoreless frame in the series finale. The southpaw retired all three batters he faced. He’ll likely continue to pitch against pockets of opposing lineups stacked with left-handed hitters.
FULL TRADE COVERAGE: Grading Every Phillies Move At The MLB Trade Deadline
Photo by Heather Barry/Getty Images
