MILWAUKEE – The last three Phillies batters hit Wednesday night struck out on 19 pitches from Devin Williams, the talented Brewers closer who throws a unicorn changeup. Milwaukee boasts a collection of fine pitchers. They will play in October, a time when hurling usually rules. The Phillies know they will see good pitching in the postseason.
So, the three days here at American Family Field served as a reminder of how thin the edges are. The Phillies struck out 16 times Wednesday in a 2-1 road loss to Milwaukee, which was celebrating its National League Central title. They struck out 16 times the night before – a solid 5-1 win.
“It doesn’t always tell the whole story,” third baseman Alec Bohm said. “I think, obviously, we’re not going to want to do that anymore.”
It marked the first time in franchise history the Phillies struck out at least 16 times in consecutive games.
“That’s a lot,” manager Rob Thomson said. “We have to go back to our two-strike approaches and use the field. Eliminate hunting.”
The Phillies can win the NL East this weekend in New York during a four-game series against the upstart Mets. The magic number is stuck at four. As the Phillies packed for a late-night flight, they could hear the celebration as the Brewers celebrated.
They might see each other again in October. The two teams combined for 26 runs scored in six games this season. Aaron Nola pitched well Wednesday, striking out nine in seven innings with just one blemish — a solo home run to old friend Rhys Hoskins. Phillies pitchers have surrendered just two home runs to the Brewers in those six games this season. Both were hit by Hoskins.
The Phillies have won 34 straight games when their starter has gone seven innings. That streak has ended.
“I thought we played really well,” Thomson said. “They just pitched really well.”
Everything changes in October, and the Phillies are still debating their optimal lineup configuration with 10 regular-season games to go. Bohm hit fifth after missing two weeks with a sprained hand. He could soon return to his cleaning spot, occupied in the meantime by Nick Castellanos. The outfield remains unsettled. Johan Rojas started in center field Wednesday and struck out twice. Cal Stevenson started in the previous two games.
“Just really evaluating it,” Thomson said. “You know? Stevenson is putting together really good at-bats. You have one of the best defenders in baseball in Rojas. So how do you measure that?”
The Phillies envisioned Austin Hays, their lone hit acquisition at the trade deadline, having a significant role. He didn’t play much; a hamstring injury and a kidney infection limited Hays. He will meet the team on Thursday in New York. The Phillies were encouraged by his progress this week during workouts at Citizens Bank Park.
But, although the Phillies thought Hays could be an everyday player in left field for them, he might be better suited in a platoon and deployed against left-handed pitchers.
“It’s hard to say,” Thomson said. “It’s hard to say.”
Austin Hays has a .940 OPS against left-handers this season. (Bill Streicher/USA Today)
The Phillies will make some postseason lineup decisions based on matchups. If they’re facing a lefty, there’s a good chance Rojas is in center and Hays is in left. Rojas – or even Stevenson – could be in center against a righty while Brandon Marsh is in left.
“It could be on a case-by-case basis,” Thomson said.
They have time to work Hays back into the outfield mix; even if he’s not ready until next week, they could have five days of sim games with a first-round bye. (The Phillies remain in a strong position to ensure that.) But, without set guys in center and left field, Thomson will be more prepared to manage aggressively.
The Phillies could carry 14 hitters in a five-game series, allowing them to pinch hit for Rojas in the middle of a game if the situation dictates it. That could be Kody Clemens’ role. If Hays returns, they might have two roster spots for three reserves — Clemens, Weston Wilson and Stevenson. Hays’ readiness could hurt Wilson’s chances. He might be redundant in that scenario.
Edmundo Sosa, pictured earlier in the season, returned from the injured list Tuesday and went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk. (Brett Davis/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
Edmundo Sosa is back in the infield mix, and he showed some energy in his at-bats Tuesday night. The Phillies haven’t signaled any intentions to platoon Bryson Stott at second base, but Sosa will get some playing time in the final 10 days of the season. Like Hays, he is much better against left-handed pitchers.
The Phillies can make lineup changes and more replacements, but they know the stars atop the lineup are most important. They will have to deliver against better pitching. Bohm, even before the two-week injury, fell into a groove. They could use the early-season version of him. He homered and walked Wednesday night.
“We pride ourselves on being able to hit good pitching,” Bohm said. “Typically we do a pretty good job.”
The Phillies are 29-18 against the six other NL teams in postseason contention. They scored 210 runs in those 47 games, an average of 4.5 runs per game. That will play.
Putting the ball in play would help.
“I don’t think it’s anything to really be afraid of or anything like that,” Bohm said. “Obviously, we could put the ball in play a little bit more, but we’re also going against a pretty good pitching staff there. I don’t think there’s anything we’re going to beat our heads against the wall about. I think it just comes down to a good pitching staff.
“We’re down to the end of the year, bigger games and things are picking up a bit. People are noticing a little bit more, but I don’t think it’s something we’re going to continue to see.”
It is reinforced because, in the short term, everything matters more. Three days against the Brewers was an opportunity to emphasize that message.
“Two really good teams,” Thomson said. “Low-scoring-type games. Those are the games that you definitely like to win and hate to lose. But it’s the little detailed things that you have to do.”
GO DEEPER
Phillies takeaways: Playoff roster spots, bullpen usage in October, 5th starter in 2025
(Top photo of Alec Bohm and Dusty Wathan: John Fisher/Getty Images)
