But the Phillies have improved their offensive approach. Chase rates down, walk rates up, run scoring still generally good. They are scoring runs both ways, just not as often as they used to with home runs.They did just score 10 and seven runs against the Mets and while it was notable they hit zero home runs in the game they lost while the Mets hit 7, they only hit one in the 10-run game (after already scoring eight) and got guys on base every which way for Sosa's knock in the other. The loss of home run power does seem to correlate with a better approach in the case of Turner and Castellanos and Marsh.
I do think it's only solvable with different players in the end. Most players don't truly change their approach, and aging is aging. The roster design just doesn't work when certain players aren't what they were and no young or serious power has been added to the line-up since 2021 really. But I think that's why Dombrowski doubled down on starting pitching. It has proven a correct approach to keep the team in the mix for the NL East or 4th seed. It might fail in October but I think that's still more about the luck and match-ups and streakiness. Right now, crudely, we still lose a series to the Mets or Astros or Brewers but win against the Cubs, Dodgers, Blue Jays or Rays.
It will be an interesting crossroads if this season fails, as far as JT and Schwarbs and Ranger (and Bohm). But for now, what Dombrowski said to Stark is this team is good enough to win the WS and when you think that, you are more aggressive at the deadline. What he's not saying out loud is there's still a limit to that, based on what's available and what you are willing to spend (in both trade and $). The stars still have to be the stars, but if that doesn't include Trea or Nick stepping up (as they both did in games of post-season series this group has won) to help the LHBs there's really nobody else.
