Phillies Insider: Answer to Offensive Woes Could be Trea Turner Leading Off Permanently
Jun 25, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (7) hits an RBI single against the New York Mets during the third inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
It's been a rough patch for the Philadelphia Phillies lately, including getting swept by the Pirates and dropping nine of their last 10 games. Making issues worse has been the absence of Bryce Harper, with the team hitting just .198 without him. The offense has struggled to score runs, tallying two or fewer in four of their last five games.
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As Phillies insider Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer recently noted on Sportsnaut's MLB podcast, Big League Buzz, the offense is struggling and one move could spark its dormant offense.
📺 WATCH Our Interview with Scott Lauber on Phillies Struggles
The Lineup Adjustment That Could Spark the Phillies' Turnaround?
Aug 8, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (7) hits an RBI double during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
One potential tweak discussed to kick-start the Phillies' offense and perhaps ignite the top of the order is moving Trea Turner to the leadoff spot permanently.
'I think moving Turner to the leadoff spot is probably the easiest thing to do,' Lauber told me on Big League Buzz, talking about the Phillies' struggles at the plate. 'He bats lead off against lefties, that's kind of been the way they've gone throughout the year.'
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Lauber noted that Bryson Stott has been batting leadoff 70 percent of the time, but Stott continues to struggle with getting on base. Moving Turner permanently to the top of the order makes sense to the veteran beat writer.
'Maybe he becomes the leadoff guy against everybody at least for a little while here,' Lauber said. 'And maybe that sparks things at the top of the order a little bit.'
In the Phillies' 4-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Monday, Turner was batting leadoff (starter Matthew Boyd is a left-hander) and finished the game 1-for-4.
Related: Five bullpen arms Philadelphia Phillies should target to replace suspended Jose Alvarado
No Simple Answers and It Is Only June
Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Despite the dour state of the Phillies' offense without Harper, Lauber pointed out the team's strength — it's pitching staff — still makes Philadelphia a major player in the NL and the NL East.
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'It's still only the beginning of June,' Lauber stressed. 'You're not going to see a major shake kind of move on June 9th. There's a long way between now and July 31st.'
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