The Philadelphia Phillies were shut out in back-to-back games to complete their first 12 games with a 6-6 record.
The offense has yet to get going, and the pitching has been the strength of the team thus far.
The Phillies started the year 3-3 at Citizens Bank Park before heading out west to play the Rockies and Giants, going 3-3 in those games.
The team is heading back home, 12 games in, with the Arizona Diamondbacks coming to town to open a nine-game homestand starting Friday.
Here are five early takeaways from the first 12 games played.
The middle of the lineup has been an issue
One of the same issues the team had in 2025 seems to be an issue again in 2026. Alec Bohm (.186/.271/.279 with one home run and eight RBI) and Bryson Stott simply haven’t been good enough, with Stott really struggling, hitting .143 with a double and a run scored on the road trip. Stott has yet to hit a home run and has driven in just two runs while hitting .167/.211/.194 from the No. 5 spot.
Here is what 97.3 ESPN Phillies insider Jeff Kerr had to say about the Phillies west coast trip.
Why the No. 5 Spot Needs a Change
Overall, Philadelphia’s No. 5 hitters are 4-for-24 with just one home run, two doubles, and one RBI.
Expect to see the Phillies move Stott out of the No. 5 spot in the lineup with Brandon Marsh likely to get the first shot against right-handers.
The Rookie Watch: Justin Crawford’s Learning Curve
Crawford got off to a hot start at Citizens Bank Park in the team’s first two series against Texas and Washington, going 7-17 to start the season. Crawford had a tremendous season at Triple-A Lehigh last year, slashing .334/.411/.452 with seven homers and 46 steals in 112 games.
The 22-year-old leads the Phillies with a .306 average, but was just 4-19 (.210) during the west coast trip.
Expect to see some growing pains over a long summer.
Southpaw Struggles: Philadelphia’s Left-Handed Kryptonite
With a .159 average, last in the majors so far, their right-handed lineup, which includes Edmundo Sosa and Otto Kemp, hasn’t given the team much. With Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, Brandon Marsh, Stott, and Crawford all left-handed bats, the team has faced plenty of left-handed arms.
Otto Kemp has struggled in left field and at the plate
Kemp has gotten off to a slow start at the plate, hitting .154/.214/.154 with seven strikeouts in six games, but it’s his defense that stands out here.
Roster Moves: Is It Time for Bryan De La Cruz?
One idea is to bring up veteran right-handed bat Bryan De La Cruz, who had a strong Spring Training (.326/.380/.457) with the Phillies, and has three home runs in 10 games so far at Triple-A Lehigh, with a .391 on-base percentage. He could take over playing left field, give the team better defense, and allow Kemp to take over as a right-handed bat and corner infield piece. over veteran Dylan Moore.
The Phillies played a game in San Francisco with Kemp in left, Moore at second, and Sosa at third. Moore has played 154 big league games in left field, Kemp has much more experience at third, and Sosa is better at second than at third base.
The fix? Get rid of Moore, bring up De La Cruz, and get a real left fielder on days Marsh sits against left-handers.
Mound Dominance: Pitching Remains the Silver Lining
The Phillies pitching staff has gotten off to a strong start. Cristopher Sanchez had a rough outing in San Francisco, but seems to be settling in fine as the team’s ace. Jesus Luzardo struck out 11 in his last start, and Aaron Nola seems to be coming around after an injury-filled season in 2025. Rookie Andrew Painter has shown plenty of promise over his two starts, and Zack Wheeler looks close to a return to the majors after his most recent Triple-A outing.
The bullpen can be dominant with Johan Duran and Brad Keller at the back end, along with Jose Alvarado and Tanner Banks from the left side, and Orion Kerkering has just joined the bullpen after starting the season on the injured list. Add in Tim Mayza and the Phillies bullpen can be one of the top units in baseball
The Best Philly Athletes Age 25 or Younger
Philadelphia has some great young athletes right now, from All-Star Tyrese Maxey to two first-round draft picks on the Eagles Defensive Line (Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter). In honor of the Philly Sports Youth Movement, here is my ranking of the Top Ten Philadelphia Professional Athletes who are 25 years old or younger:
Gallery Credit: Josh Hennig/Townsquare Media