Phillies Need to Find Answers After Shocking Defeat
The Philadelphia Phillies couldn’t advance to the World Series for a myriad of reasons this season.
It wasn’t just one thing.
There’s always going to be fallout when a superior team doesn’t win.
On paper, the Phillies appear to be better than the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Games aren’t won on paper.
The Diamondbacks deserved to move on to the World Series following a 4-2 victory in Game 7 against Philadelphia on Wednesday.
Arizona played better, executed better and basically excelled more in virtually every area.
The Phillies didn’t lose because manager Rob Thomson failed to make all the right moves. They didn’t lose because Bryce Harper, Trea Turner and Nick Castellanos went hitless in the biggest game of the season. They didn't lose because of the pitching staff.
The loss in the National League Championship Series can be attributed to many factors. There could be 100 reasons why.
The Diamondbacks played at a higher level at the most opportune times in Games 6 and 7. That’s why they’re traveling to Arlington, TX, to face the Texas Rangers in the World Series.
Philadelphia lost at home in consecutive games, despite having a major homefield advantage.
That might have been the most shocking part of their elimination. They went into the final two games undefeated at home.
As Harper said, "We didn’t get it done."
Basic but true.
The Phillies didn’t get it done. They couldn’t sustain a 2-0 series lead or a 3-2 series lead.
And it will be a long offseason searching for answers. There isn’t just one.
