Phillies Take A Dive In MLB Power Rankings

This Philadelphia Phillies are primed to make another deep run in the playoffs. They just haven't shown it yet. The start of the season hasn't gone quite as planned. After dropping two of three to the division rival Atlanta Braves, they did the same against the Cincinnati Reds.

You never want to lose four of six games at home, especially to start the season. But that's what the Phillies did. The team is collectively in the bottom half of the league in average and slugging at the plate. They have only scored 41 runs, which is eighth-worst in baseball, and they're tied for the third-least amount of extra-base hits with the Chicago White Sox.

Overall, the pitching has been middle-tier, but some highlights have been made. Zack Wheeler has gone twelve innings, giving up just one run. Spencer Turnbull has yet to allow a run in his five innings of work. Both guys also lead the team in strikeouts, Wheeler with 15 and Turnbull with 13.

The Phillies started the season as one of the favorites in the National League, along with the Los Angeles Dodgers and those pesky Braves. The Dodgers dropped two of three to an up-and-coming Chicago Cubs team, yet they still rose to number one in MLB's power rankings. However, their generosity did not reach Philadelphia.

Phillies Fall To Sixth In MLB's Power Rankings

Before Trea Turner's three-hit night last night in St. Louis, he had been in a deep struggle at the plate. MLB referenced this in their blurb about the Phillies and their reasoning for their fall in the power rankings. They also said it's hard to put their struggles square on his shoulders because the team is batting just .229 thus far, and they're abysmal with runners in scoring position. Oh, and they don't like the City Connect uniforms.

The Phillies' best days are undoubtedly seen through the windshield. Over 150 more games will better paint the picture of the season than the first several. Phillies fans know that some seasons take a little time to get going.

At least oddsmakers still like the Phillies' chances to make the World Series. On Fanduel Sportsbook, they are only behind the Dodgers and the Braves in odds (+650) of winning the National League.

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Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.