Well, here we are again…how are the Phillise playing to start the year? Unfortunately, not good so far.

As the first week of the 2024 MLB season wraps up, fans of the Philadelphia Phillies find themselves mulling over a familiar question: How are the Phillies playing? The answer, unfortunately, is not as straightforward or as positive as many had hoped. With a challenging start of 2 wins and 4 losses, the Phillies have shown flashes of brilliance overshadowed by a series of on-field struggles.

The season kicked off under less-than-ideal circumstances, with bad weather leading to the postponement of the season opener against the Atlanta Braves due to rain. This disruption seemed to unsettle the Phillies, who lost their first two games to the Braves with significant margins (3-9 and 4-12). How are the Phillies playing when faced with adversity? The third game against the Braves provided a glimmer of hope, with the team clinching a narrow 5-4 victory, thanks to some key plays and a bit of resilience.

However, the series against the Cincinnati Reds highlighted some of the team’s persistent issues. Despite the Bryce Harper standout performance in the second game against the Reds, where he hit three home runs, including a grand slam, leading to a 9-4 victory, the Phillies couldn’t capitalize on this momentum. The subsequent loss of 1-4 against the Reds underscored concerns about the team’s consistency.

So really, how are The Phillies playing?

Throughout this first week, three major issues have stood out: bad weather, poor hitting, and bad base running. The inclement weather not only led to the postponement of the season opener but also seemed to cool down the bats of the Phillies’ lineup. Aside from Harper’s explosive performance in one game, the team has struggled to find its rhythm at the plate. How are the Phillies playing when it comes to hitting? The answer, so far, is not well enough to consistently drive in runs or support their pitchers.

Base running, an essential aspect of the game that often goes unnoticed when done correctly, has been another area of concern. Mistakes on the base paths can kill rallies and waste precious opportunities to score, and the Phillies have made their share of these mistakes in the early going. This has led to fans and analysts alike asking, “How are the Phillies playing in terms of fundamentals?”

Despite these challenges, it’s too early in the season to make definitive judgments. The Phillies have shown they have the talent to compete, especially with players like Harper who can change the course of a game with a single swing. Yet, to reach their full potential, they’ll need to address these early issues promptly.

How are the Phillies playing overall? The first week shows a team that, while not yet in crisis, certainly needs to refine its approach and execution. The elements of success are there, but the Phillies must find a way to bring them together consistently. Whether it’s improving their approach at the plate, making smarter decisions on the base paths, or simply finding ways to weather the literal and figurative storms, the Phillies have work to do.

As the season progresses, the Phillies have ample opportunity to turn things around. The early struggles could serve as a wake-up call, spurring the team to tighten up their game and live up to the high expectations that their talent warrants. For now, Phillies fans, while perhaps a bit disheartened, remain hopeful that the team can answer the question of “How are the Phillies playing?” with a more positive narrative as the season unfolds.