Brace yourself, Phillies fans. The bottom might be about to fall out of this season.
The Phils took their road woes to Minnesota last night after dropping two of three in Baltimore. Things didn’t get any better in the Twin Cities.
Starter Kyle Kendrick got shelled, giving up six runs on eight hits in just four innings.
You can read Ryan Lawrence’s account of the carnage here.
My conclusion? Look, this group of Phillies have given us a great run. They won a World Series in 2008. But they have been in decline ever since, dropping one peg each year. After their championship season, the Phils returned to the World Series only to lose, the following year they fell in the NLCS. Last year they got booted in the first round, losing in the NLDS to the Cardinals.
If that progression continues, it would stand that they would not make the playoffs this year.
It would be hard to argue based on what we’ve seen so far.
Yes, I know it’s early. Baseball is a marathon and there is still 100 games to play.
But after last night’s loss the Phils now sit nine and a half games behind the Nationals in the NL East.
Sure, there is an extra Wild Card team this year.
Even that might not be enough to save this team.
The question for GM Ruben Amaro now is whether to blow the whole thing up (can you say Cole Hamels?), or try to add a few more pieces while waiting for the return of Chase Utley and Ryan Howard to fortify the lineup.
I’m not sure this season can be saved. But I’m just a fan. I’ve pulled the plug on many an Eagles team only to see them miraculously resurrect themselves.
But baseball is a different animal. And this team barely has a pulse.
Better break out the paddles, Ruben.
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