One of the contributing factors to the Philadelphia Phillies' overall success since the Mid-Summer Classic, comes from their offense.
Over 18 games since the break, in which the team has won 13, the Phillies are batting a combined .286/.335/.441 with 38 doubles, five triples, 16 home runs, 90 runs-batted-in, and 45 walks (three intentional). During the 18 games prior, the Phillies came out on top in just three after batting .263/.313/.379 with 31 doubles, two triples, 13 home runs, 63 runs-batted-in and 41 walks.
This past home-stand, the Phillies averaged 6.29 runs per game, raising their season average from 3.54 to 3.72. In Thursday afternoon's series finale matinee, they scored five runs off of right hander Zack Greinke, who leads all of baseball in ERA (1.71), in the bottom of the first inning.
The Phillies currently have five players with multi-game hitting streaks: center fielder Odubel Herrera (9), third baseman Maikel Franco (8), utility infielder Cesar Hernandez (7), corner outfielder Jeff Francoeur (6), and catcher Cameron Rupp (3).
These five players are batting a combined .371/.413/.583 during their respective streaks, which date back to as early as Cole Hamels' no-hitter on July 25.
First baseman Ryan Howard, who batted .226/.270/.444 over 82 games and 319 plate appearances before the break, has hit .292/.361/.492 since.
Friday evening, the Phillies will begin their nine-game road trip away from Citizens Bank Park, as they take on the San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks and Milwaukee Brewers in three, three-game sets. All three teams are considered to be out of postseason consideration, with a little under two months remaining in the regular season.
With All-Star second baseman Chase Utley activated from the 15-day disabled list for tonight's game out on the west coast, players such as Herrera, Hernandez and shortstop Freddy Galvis will see reduced playing time.
Corey Seidman of CSNPhilly.com writes how interim manager Pete Mackanin plans to handle the now-crowded infield:
Mackanin on Thursday reiterated his plan to work Utley in and move others around. That could mean days off for Cesar Hernandez, Freddy Galvis and Odubel Herrera. Mackanin said he could play Hernandez at short and Galvis in center field. Mackanin met with Hernandez, Galvis, Herrera, Maikel Franco and Andres Blanco to explain the game of musical chairs he plans to play to keep everyone involved.
Keeping everyone involved likely translates into pinch-hitting appearances, which is not friendly for a player trying to keep their hitting streak alive. Regardless, the Phillies have been playing great, fundamental baseball as of late, and have negated any waning interest from their fan base that once existed earlier this season.
Matt Rappa (@mattrappasports) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
