Philadelphia Phillies post dismal record heading to All-Star break – MLB Update
With their latest sweep by the Atlanta Braves, the Philadelphia Phillies enter the All-Star break with a forgettable record. Reeling at the bottom of the National League East Division table, they have put up one of their worst performances in decades. While
injures plagued their progress, those cannot hide the mediocrity they have shown as a team in the season.
Right from day one, the bottom of the table remained their place and continues to be the same until now. Even if there was ever a little improvement in their position on the table, it proved transient. Thus, by-and-large they were the poorest performing
side in their Division.
By the time they entered into the season, their expensive roster and experienced players on it were being put forward as a reason why they will be able to defend their Division Championship title in the last five years.
Furthermore, though Ryan Howard and Chase Utley were injured, reliable pitching staff they boasted could compensate for anything poor coming off from the offence. The likes of Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee can convince anyone of the kind of impact
they can wreak on the opponents.
However, much to their disappointment, they failed to assert their contention for most part of the season. Neither the pitchers nor the batters performed consistently.
Interestingly enough, as the Phillies receive their latest hammering from the Braves, the manager Charlie Manuel remains hopeful that they are going to turn things around after the All-Star break.
“I’ll always believe we can (make the playoffs). As long as you got a chance, that’s how you have to go about it,” Manuel said.
Furthermore, Manuel says that they are not going to give up and will keep trying their best to get back into the contention. Since heaps of defeats have called into question managerial skills of Manuel, as he had to come up with an explanation in this regard.
“I got a lot of confidence in myself, and I am a fighter,” Manuel said. “Not only that, I think I’m a winner.”
Given the kind of record the Phillies have posted thus far, it will take something out of the ordinary to happen to see them making it into the play-offs in the season.
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