{"id":797297,"date":"2026-09-05T13:21:21","date_gmt":"2026-09-05T13:21:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/797297\/"},"modified":"2026-09-05T13:21:21","modified_gmt":"2026-09-05T13:21:21","slug":"philadelphia-phillies-manager-makes-honest-statement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/797297\/","title":{"rendered":"Philadelphia Phillies Manager Makes Honest Statement"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 29: Manager Don Mattingly #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies in the dugout prior to the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on May 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

On Friday night, the Philadelphia Phillies<\/a> opened up a four-game series with the Atlanta Braves<\/a> (at home).<\/p>\n

The Phillies lost by a score of 5-2.<\/p>\n

John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia wrote:<\/a> \u201cThe Phillies were shut down by Chris Sale<\/a> for a 3rd time this year. The Phils struck out 7 times against him and the Phils were 0-6 with runners in scoring position. He has beaten the Phils all 3 games against them this season.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Phillies were shut down by Chris Sale for a 3rd time this year. The Phils struck out 7 times against him and the Phils were 0-6 with runners in scoring position. He has beaten the Phils all 3 games against them this season. <\/p>\n

Philadelphia Phillies Manager Makes Honest Statement<\/p>\n

\n\"\"<\/a>GettyManager Don Mattingly #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on from the bench against the Arizona Diamondbacks<\/a> during the third inning at Chase Field on September 02, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.\n<\/p>\n

After the game, manager Don Mattingly met with the media (via NBC Sports Philadelphia<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Reporter: \u201cConsidering that now you\u2019re five back of the leader with fewer matchups against them and fewer games left in the schedule, how much pressure does tonight\u2019s loss put on the ensuing games against the Braves?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mattingly: \u201cI think every one of them\u2019s pressure now. We\u2019re not in the playoffs. We\u2019re not guaranteed anything. So every game\u2019s pressure at this point, pretty much the rest of the way. So again, they\u2019re all the same at this point. It\u2019s not a matter of who you\u2019re playing. It\u2019s you need to win a game.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not guaranteed anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Don Mattingly says there\u2019s pressure on every game moving forward. <\/p>\n

Looking At The Phillies Right Now<\/p>\n

\n\"\"<\/a>GettyBryan de la Cruz #41 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts to a strikeout in the sixth inning against the Atlanta Braves during a game at Citizens Bank Park on September 04, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.\n<\/p>\n

The Phillies are the second-place team in the National League East with a 79-62 record in 141 games.<\/p>\n

With the loss, they are now 5.0 games back of the Braves for first in the division.<\/p>\n

That said, they can trim that to 2.0 games if they are able to win the final three in the series.<\/p>\n

Over their last ten games, the Phillies have gone 6-4 (and they are 38-31 in 69 games at home).<\/p>\n

\n\"\"<\/a>GettyKyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after a strike out in the fifth inning against the Atlanta Braves during a game at Citizens Bank Park on September 04, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.\n<\/p>\n

Following the Braves, the Phillies will remain at home to host the Houston Astros<\/a> on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n

Matt Gelb of The Athletic wrote:<\/a> \u201cThe Phillies have allowed 36 runs in the last two postseasons, and 31 of them have come in the sixth inning or later. It\u2019s hard to ignore that as the Phillies try to arrange the proper bullpen mix this month while Orion Kerkering stumbles again:\u201d<\/p>\n

The Phillies have allowed 36 runs in the last two postseasons, and 31 of them have come in the sixth inning or later. It\u2019s hard to ignore that as the Phillies try to arrange the proper bullpen mix this month while Orion Kerkering stumbles again: <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tBen Stinar<\/a> Ben Stinar has been covering the NBA for over seven years.\u00a0
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\nHe has written for OnSI, Forbes, Amico Hoops, The Big Lead and had a podcast with former All-Star Jameer Nelson. More about Ben Stinar<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

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