The Phillies have led in 34 of their 40 games this season. They are 21-19. Phillies pitching has blown leads consisting of 6, 2 and 3 over the past four games.

This bullpen is bad. It absolutely stinks out loud and it’s embarrassing. I can not believe anyone thought it was good enough to compete in Major League Baseball. Michael Barkann is losing is mind. Ricky Bottalico has lost his mind. I’m right there with them.

The Phillies had a 6-3 lead with two outs in the bottom of the eighth. After Tommy Hunter loaded the bases, Brandon Workman enters and allows a bases-clearing double. Nearly a home run. Jake Arrieta lasted 5 2/3 innings tonight, giving up five hits and three runs, while striking out three and walking four. Not great, but not terrible.

I don’t know how many times I have to say this, but Tommy Hunter is terrible.

Is Blake Parker solely an extra innings specialist? Where was he last night? Keep Jojo Romero, Hector Neris, and Blake Parker and tell everyone else to go home. Bring up JD Hammer and whoever else we have in the player pool and let’s see what they have to offer.

If they have an arm, hand, and five fingers, I’m sure they can at least match the the performances that our bullpen has given over the last 9 games in which they have allowed 22 runs.

Aaron Nola is on the mound tomorrow to right the ship in Game 1. Zack Wheeler can’t dress himself and will miss Game 2, which means we will have an all bullpen cast on the mound. You can only imagine what a disaster Game 2 will be.

It doesn’t help that Bryce Harper’s batting average is dropped 109 points since it was at its seasons best .367 August 18th. He hasn’t hit a home run since August 22nd. We need “September Bryce” to step up in a big way.

The only bright spot is Alec Bohm, who is now hitting .480 (12/25) with 14 RBIs with runners in scoring position. He was 2 for 3 last night and got the Phillies a nice lead early.

The Phillies are 21-19. They are 3 games back of the Atlanta Braves and only a .5 game up on the Miami Marlins in the 2nd place slot. Six more games to against Miami.

By next week, we’ll know exactly what type of fight this bullpen and team as a whole, has in them.

Mandatory Credit: Philadelphia Phillies