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Of the hitters left in the MLB postseason, the Philadelphia Phillies have three of the best. However, Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and Trea Turner haven't lived up to their potential this October.
After Game 2, in which both Schwarber and Harper went hitless, leading to a one-run loss, both sluggers came forward with insight into their struggles and how they plan to address them going forward.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today shared the comments from Harper and Schwarber on their offensive struggles, as the Phillies superstars are running out of time to turn things around this postseason.
Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber reveal the story behind their offensive struggles in the postseason
"No, I wouldn't say we're pressing," Harper said. "I just think we're missing pitchers over the plate. They're making good pitches when they need to."
Neither Harper nor Schwarber has taken advantage of the mistakes pitchers have made to them this postseason. While there haven't been many mistakes, they haven't been doing damage on those pitches.
"I can speak for myself," Schwarber said, "I know that I haven't. You want to get something going. You want to get anything going. And for me, I just didn't come through in that situation."
Schwarber has had a chance to do some damage with runners on base, but this October, he's managed only a walk in eight plate appearances. He's 0-7 and has been a huge reason for the team's struggles offensively this October.
Harper isn't much better, going 1-7 with a single and a walk. Both Phillies superstars have no RBIs or runs scored. They also don't have an extra-base hit despite being the Phillies' best power hitters.
More: Phillies' Kyle Schwarber vows to be better after 0-4 NLDS Game 1
If the Phillies' star players can't get it going at the plate, they have little chance to do damage in the playoffs. With time running out, just one loss away from elimination, Harper and Schwarber need to improve dramatically in Game 3 of the NLDS.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the mound, giving both Harper and Schwarber the advantage at the plate. If they can't do damage against Yamamoto, then the Phillies will most likely lose Game 3 and get swept out of the playoffs after a strong regular season.
"Obviously, I've got to do a better job with guys on base," Harper said. "I mean, I had a couple opportunities myself and didn't get it done. It's got to be better. We got our work cut out for us."
Harper isn't the only Phillies hitter struggling with runners on base, as nearly every hitter hasn't performed well in the big moments this postseason. JT Realmuto has a two-run triple, while Nick Castellanos has a two-run double. Harrison Bader has a sacrifice fly, and Turner has an RBI single. That's been it for offense from the Phillies.
"I just feel like these guys," Schwarber said. "The first two games have been on. They've done a really good job of making some pitches. We've just got to find a way."
The Phillies no longer have any wiggle room, as one more loss will send them home for good. Starting in Game 3, the Phillies' offense, led by Harper and Schwarber, needs to perform better.
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