The tension has been building, and now it is boiling over. After back-to-back shutout losses, frustration inside the Phillies finally broke through. With October-level force creeping into June and the offense stuck in a baffling drought, Kyle Schwarber and company are feeling the weight of missed scopes and rising hope.
This pressure finally cracked on Wednesday night. With the bases loaded in the eighth and a good chance to break the silence, the Phillies failed to deliver — again. Alec Bohm struck out, Nick Castellanos grounded out, and the 19-inning scoreless streak stood firm. “At the end of the day, we had some guys on base, we just didn’t execute. And it comes down on us,” Schwarber said. This was a blunt analysis of a team that, despite its capability, is coming up empty when it matters most.
It was a veteran owning up, but it also highlighted the other stars on the team. This was not a pitching issue because Zack Wheeler allowed just one run across six sharp innings. This was due to an offense that had suddenly gone quiet, and now the force was not just internal — it was strategic too.
While the Thomson team was unraveling at the plate, the Astros were moving with intention. “In today’s game with the three-batter rule, you have to get righties and lefties out and those guys have been really good for us the entire year,” Astros manager Joe Espada said, highlighting his strategy. Colton Gordon worked through five controlled innings and mixed pitches to keep hitters off balance. Then, Bryan King came with a gutsy eighth-inning hold and struck out Bohm in the crucial situation, and Josh Hader slammed the door in the ninth. That was not just good pitching; it was part of a larger strategy built on scouting, sequencing, and bullpen timing. Every player knew their role, and they maximized every matchup.
That is where the contrast hits hardest. The Phillies are hoping; the Astros are executing, and it is not happening by accident. Espada has quietly leaned into his five-lefty bullpen approach as a tactical advantage — featuring Steven Okert, Bennett Sousa, and Hader — blending matchups with command precision. “We’re going to trust them and I’m going to continue to give them the ball,” Espada said, highlighting again just how much confidence he has in his tailored approach.
Oct 21, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Kyle Schwarber (12) hits a single against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning during game five of the NLCS for the 2023 MLB playoffs at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Now, with Hunter Brown, the AL ERA leader, set to take the field in the finale, the Astros’ game appears anything but vulnerable. Brown has not allowed more than two earned runs in over a month, and the manager’s handling of the bullpen has neutralized all hitters from three sides of the plate. However, the Phillies are left scrambling, thinking about Bryce Harper’s return while Espada plays chess with his pitching board.
While Schwarber’s statement lit a fire inside the team and the Astros’ planning highlighted strategic gaps, there is growing awareness in Philadelphia that the issue could run deeper than just a cold offense. As the trade deadline approaches, management could be preparing to address another glaring issue — the bullpen.
Phillies target Twins’ $4.1M star closer as bullpen urgency mounts
The Phillies have not just struggled at the plate lately; the team has also found itself scrambling for late-inning reliability. With Jose Alvarado suspended because of a PED violation and the rest of the bullpen lacking consistency, the need for a high-leverage closer has become impossible to ignore. Now, with the Twins on a steep slide, the Phillies have set their sights on Minnesota’s elite closer, Jhoan Duran.
He is putting together a career year, owning a 1.57 ERA with 10 saves in 12 opportunities, and has racked up 68 saves over four seasons. The star is electric, under team control through 2028, and exactly the difference-maker who could help the Phillies stabilize. However, Duran will not come cheap. If the Phillies hope to land him, the team will need to headline a deal with top prospect Mick Abel, a steep ask; however, Michael Hennelly of That Ball’s Outta Here says it could be worth it.
The urgency makes sense. Even if the offense finds its groove, closing out games will remain a vital issue. Unlike rental stars like Chapman and Helsley, Duran is a long-term weapon, and after dropping tight games like the recent 2-0 and 1-0 losses to the Astros, it is clear this roster needs that extra push.
What makes Duran a more attractive target is the context. The Twins, after losing nine of their last ten games, are sliding quickly and could transform to seller mode. If the Phillies act quickly, they could be able to capitalize on the moment. It is a vital swing, but one that the management may need to take, because as Schwarber said, no one is waiting for this team to just “figure it out.”
With the finale looming, the contrast between the two dugouts could not be sharper. The Phillies are searching for answers, while the Astros are executing their plan with ruthless precision. If the Phillies hope to flip the script, it will take more than hope. It will take urgency, adjustments, and maybe even a spark from Harper.
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