Phillies struggle after series loss, aim to rebound before Field of Dreams game

The Philadelphia Phillies lost two of three games to the St. Louis Cardinals, including a 7-1 defeat in the series finale started by right-hander Zack Wheeler. The losses dropped the club to a 10-15 record since the All-Star break and reduced its cushion in the National League wild-card race.

The Phillies entered the break 11 games over .500 and holding a two-game lead for the second wild-card spot, but have since seen that advantage shrink as they have lost six of eight series. With 40 games remaining, the team faces a tight path to a fifth consecutive postseason.

"No, not playing like this. We’ve got to turn it around. There’s still plenty of time to do so, but nobody in here is happy about the brand of baseball we’re playing right now," catcher J.T. Realmuto said after Wednesday’s loss.

"We’re still there, but we’re not playing great baseball. The last two weeks we should have won multiple games and haven’t. We’re kind of shooting ourselves in the foot," outfielder Bryce Harper added.

Offensive production has been limited; the Phillies managed only one run in the final two games and went 1-8 with runners in scoring position in the series finale. Wheeler allowed four runs in the fifth inning, three of them earned, after a 35-pitch inning in which he relied heavily on his four-seam fastball, which averaged 94.4 mph, down from his season average.

"I don’t care about velocity. I care about getting outs," Wheeler said.

Wheeler’s recent numbers have slipped, with his ERA rising from 2.16 to 2.89 and a 13-earned-run total over his last four starts. He has lost his last two decisions, and the Phillies are 1-4 in his most recent five starts.

"He was looking out for me and that was probably the best thing," manager Don Mattingly said after pulling Wheeler after 84 pitches.

Realmuto noted that Wheeler’s fastball command has been erratic lately, though the pitch’s quality remains.

"When he’s feeling right, his fastball command is spot on. Recently he’s just a little erratic at times, bigger misses than you’re used to seeing," Realmuto said.

The team now travels to Iowa for the MLB Field of Dreams game, hoping to reverse its recent slump before the season’s final stretch.