Phillies: Quirky winning habit

Surprisingly –or not– the Phillies are doing more than enjoying multiple victories, but many missed it because the consecutive sweeps were against last-place teams.

Something’s afoot:

While the Philadelphia Phillies are catching the locals off guard, one thing’s hiding in plain sight. But keep in mind, it’s a combination of many unique pieces for sunnier days ahead.

"IN OTHER WORDS: “You can’t create the future unless you imagine it.” – Joe Quirk"

If you recently listened to the postgame analysis regarding the triumphs over the Miami Marlins and the Tampa Bay Rays, the after-the-fact expectation was for those sweeps. Think about it! Can you remember the last time the Phils won back-to-back series against basement-level competition? No?

In 2012, the red pinstripes had consecutive sweeps at the Bank against the Colorado Rockies and Miami. Otherwise, defeating those at the bottom of their division has not occurred in the last 11 years: 2007 through 2017.

Phillies’ consecutive sweeps:

• 2011: the Pittsburgh Pirates (Three each) and Colorado (2 losing teams).
• 2010: Back-to-back sweeps (Three apiece): 1 against a losing club.
• 2010: 3 consecutive sweeps (Three each) versus NL East teams (1 in last place).
• 2009: Back-to-back sweeps (Three apiece) separated by the All-Star break (1 in last place).
• 2008: 2 straight sweeps for seven triumphs (1 losing team).

On the other hand, beating up on bottom-feeding franchises is not so easy after all. So, one partial conclusion is regulars don’t pace themselves when they know they won’t be playing 162 games. They can give 100 percent and not waste at-bats. Ergo, more wins.

Of course, the end result has many parts and layers contributing to the whole. But going below the surface with each series reveals other benefits to the plan of general manager Matt Klentak.

Regarding motivation, management has more of a hit-and-sit approach. The idea is for everybody to contribute to the offensive production: Struggling players with power are in the five hole with protection, only one productive regular sits to accommodate switches, and both want to earn more playing time.