If there's a red flag for the rest of the way, it is that the Phillies are 3-7 in their last ten in what has been a soft part of the schedule (one against the Pirates, three each against the Diamondbacks, Giants and Marlins).
However, unlike recent seasons when it felt like the Phillies wilted under late-season pressure, this season just feels like the mounting injuries and a lack of depth are the anvil that is pulling them down. For a good while, the Phillies were able to say "next man up" but they've probably run out of realistic next men, especially in the pitching staff and outfield. Falter has done admirably but he is no Wheeler, Nola still has September demons to contend with (although his last start was good), Syndergaard and Suarez are running on fumes and Gibson is his inconsistent self. The bullpen has pretty much fallen apart as Robertson is obviously the only guy Thomson has confidence in and now Thomson may have worn him down. Despite pitching well, Alvarado is little used. For some reason, Thomson just doesn't like him and I'll be surprised if he's still here in 2023 if Thomson is. Castellanos is out and Schwarber and Harper are banged up. The more the Matons and the Vierlings have to play, the more their shortcomings become exposed (and the more we see why they are bench guys and not regulars which they've been forced to become). Guthrie's never been a prospect, just a guy who happened to be having a good year in Allentown.
It's ironic how it feels like they were a better team without Harper than they are now with Harper back. It should be the other way around but the results....