Issues with the Phillies lineup, and how it has worked so far


By: Trevor Torino


Opening day we saw Trea Turner lead off for the Philadelphia Phillies, in D.C. Turner went 0-4 with a walk, and a strikeout at the dish. As there were concerns about who was leading off, between Turner and Kyle Schwarber.

We soon found out that Schwarber does not have to hit leadoff in order to hit homeruns. Schwarber put two balls over the fence at Nationals Park with one in the clean up spot, and another in the leadoff spot.

Turner missed the last game in D.C. after he was a late scratch due to back spasms. 

I believe it is fair to say that we understand Schwarber can hit anywhere in the lineup, as he still managed to hit a homerun in the leadoff spot on Monday, at the Phillies home opener.

Turner was out of the lineup in the home opener, but did come off the bench in the bottom of the 7th to pinch hit.

He was able to draw a walk, which sparked the Phillies bats and crowd as well. 

It’s not just the Turner Schwarber debate that fans and the Phillies have concerns about. 

Brandon Marsh and Edmundo Sosa are concerns for Rob Thompson in the lineup.

Marsh has shown struggling at the plate especially against left handed pitchers. However, he had already hit a homerun this year and has been taking decent at bats at the plate. He seems to be Toppers choice as an everyday center fielder so far. 

Edmundo Sosa has started this season hot off the bench. He filled in for Turner in his absence and was able to bring in two runs, with two doubles. One in the late innings to give the Phillies the lead, and spark the runs. 

Sosa will not play everyday and that is obvious. Bryson Stott has secured the second base spot, Turner will obviously be at short, and Alec Bohm has third base on lockdown. However, it is great to have a bat like this to be able to come off the bench.

Topper will use Sosa on player rest days, and can throw him almost anywhere in the field. If there are injuries, we will see Sosa more, like already happened with Turner. 

It will be nice to have a secure lead off hitter, like Turner. With his speed he can be dominant on the base paths, especially with the power this lineup has behind him. 

We are early in the season, with lots of baseball left to play.


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