Broad Street Baseball

Trea Turner isn’t washed, he’s in a mental slump and is getting unlucky.

This is not an excuse for a $300 million player, but the narrative that he is “washed” is absolutely ridiculous.

In 2026, Turner is posting his worst BABIP (batting average on balls in play) with a .282 avg. Some of you may say “who gives a sh*t”, but stick with me here.

Not including 2026, Turner is a career .330+ hitter on balls in play. The initial thought could be that he lost some speed, but that isn’t the case. Turner still ranks in the 98th percentile in sprint speed, so it’s not like he just can’t beat out groundballs anymore.

In 2025, his batting title season and best as a Phil, Turner’s quality of contact was nearly identical. He already has the same amount of “barrels” as he did in 2025, so you can argue it’s actually BETTER in 2026.

The main issue is his strikeout rate, which had jumped from 16.8% to 21.8% so far. It’s clear he is pressing to try to make something happen, a mindset he’s had in the past when he is underperforming. Turner has come out saying he has spent nights until his hands blister, trying to get out of this funk.

His defense has fallen off a cliff too, but that’s a different conversation that I will not get into.

All this to make the point that Turner is having a combination of bad luck and pressing because of that bad luck. He is hitting balls right at guys and has all year. September will be his chance to right the ship and leave the other 80% of the season in the past.

The Phillies need Trea and nobody knows that more than him.

The National League Wildcard Standings through September 2nd! The Phillies have claimed the top spot in the race after a 6-3 road trip.

In all likelihood, they will be facing Chicago, but it is a matter of where the series takes place. The Phils 100% (just like every other team) will want to play in October at their own ballpark. Staying at the top of the Wilcard, or even winning the division is absolutely crucial.

Philadelphia is 4.0 GB of Atlanta heading into their 4-game set tomorrow.

The biggest series of the SEASON kicks off tomorrow at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

The Phillies will play host to the division leading Atlanta Braves in a 4-game set. A premier matchup of Chris Sale and Cris Sánchez will kick things off in the city connects. Polymarket Partner

LET’S GO PHILS.

The Phillies Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, and Luis Arraez were a combined 19-106 on the 9-game road trip.

The top of the order has not been doing damage, despite the Phillies winning ways.

Final

Phillies are shutout in the the final game of the road trip, failing to support rookie Andrew Painter’s amazing outing.

Heading home to play 4 against on Friday Atlanta with a 4.0 game difference in the NL East.

Andrew Painter SHOVED against the Diamondbacks in the final game of the series. He didn’t walk a single batter and delivered a 1st-pitch strike to 18 of 24 batters.

It is the first shutout outing of his MLB career.

Going for the sweep in Arizona 🧹

Painter will take the hill at 3:40.

SIX IN A ROW.

The Phillies have won 15 of their last 17 games, Bryce Harper went 4/4, and Luzardo shutdown the Diamondbacks offense. This stretch of baseball has been electric.

The Phils have secured a pivotal series in AZ, and are currently 6-2 on this 9 game road trip. They can go for their 5th sweep in 5 weeks tomorrow.