The Philadelphia Phillies are absolutely chasing their first World Series title since way back in 2008, and time is seriously running out for that aging core of Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, and Trea Turner to finally grab that ring. To make it happen, they need their absolute best lineup in the postseason, but there’s one HUGE question mark looming: what impact can center fielder Justin Crawford actually make at the plate?
Crawford’s Bat Is a Major Problem
Right now, Crawford’s numbers are, well, pedestrian. We’re talking .263/.311/.347 with a .659 OPS and just two homers this season. FanSided’s Christopher Kline pointed out that with those kind of stats, the Phillies might be smarter to give someone else a shot. The rotation for Philly is elite, no doubt, but the bullpen and especially the lineup, can just disappear when the pressure’s on, even with Schwarber and Harper trying to carry the load. Kline said it best, they “could really use an extra jolt.”
Bench him, even if it means slowing his development a bit? That’s what’s being tossed around. Crawford’s power is seriously lacking, only two dingers, and his on-base percentage is below league average. Sure, he’s got speed, swiping 16 bases in 20 attempts, but you gotta wonder how many more he’d have if he just got on base more often!
The September Slide and What’s Next
The team stayed faithful to Crawford all season, and it paid off big time in August when he hit .306 with a .761 OPS. That was a sweet stretch! But now in September, he’s already on a mild downturn. His ground-ball-heavy, slap-hitting style just doesn’t usually cut it in the postseason in this modern era of baseball. It’s a tough truth, but true.
So, what are the options? Philadelphia could look at guys like Derek Hill or Bryan De La Cruz, who might bring a bit more pop to the bottom of the lineup. It’s a big call!
The Phillies will most likely stick with Crawford out in center. But if this rookie can’t deliver in the batter’s box when it counts, they could be staring down some serious regret in the postseason. The stakes couldn’t be higher for that aging core chasing their championship dream.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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