When it comes to ranking the National League’s top offenses, many people place the Philadelphia Phillies on the top of that list.  In a lineup that boasts offensive talents Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins,Chase Utley, and Pat Burrell, they’re hard to overlook.  Add in players like Pedro Feliz, Geoff Jenkins, and Shane Victorino, and you have a top notch lineup.  On paper at least.

It might go beyond paper.    On the surface the Phillies are strong.  They rank second in the National League is home runs, RBI’s, and total bases, and are third in slugging percentage.  It’s easy to see names in a lineup, and glance at some basic stats and make an assumption that the Phils are tops in the league.  Some even think this is the greatest Phillies line ever.  That’s saying something, given the 125 year history of this franchise.  As much as I like this club, I have to disagree.  This lineup is overrated.

 Some might say overrated might be a strong word to describe the Phillies offense.  The talent is there and the numbers support that.  I don’t dispute the talent.  This team has the talent to be not just the best in the National League, but the best in all of baseball.  Right now they’re not, and it’s is their own doing.  There are three areas that really kill this team, and before the talent can take the game to the next level, they need ot be addressed.

Base-running Blunders- Top offenses execute in every aspect of the game.  It’s a good thing the Phillies know how to hit home runs, because they look clueless when it comes to runnng the bases.  Eric Bruntlett’s multiple base-running errors made national attention, mainly when he attempted to decapitate Yaider Molina.  While that play was debatable if Bruntlett could have slid or not, what’s not debatible was his poor reading of the ball that caused him not to score on Victorino’s single.  A similar situation happened last night when Feliz failed ot score on a single by Bruntlett.  When Feliz held up, Bruntlett didn’t realize the throw home was cut off by the pitcher, who threw it to second, nailing Bruntlett, killing another rally.

The “Hero Factor”- When I look at the Phillies, I see a lineup full of guys who can each be the player of the game.  They see it too, because they all want to be, day in and day out.  Everyone wants to hit the game winning home run and see their face on the back page of the Daily News.  It’s that mentality that hurts the Phillies.  They overlook ways to manufacture runs.  Last Wednesday the Phillies were trailing the Red Sox 7-4.  The were mounting a rally, scoring two runs on a pinch hit single by Feliz.  After Rollins followed it up with a single of his own, Boston reliever Manny Delcarmen was on the ropes.  Victorino stepped to the plate, and I was looking for him to sacrifice.  Moving the runners over puts them both in scoring position with one out.  A single makes it a one-run ballgame with the heart of the order coming up.  Unfortunately Victorino was swinging for the fences.  He ended up grounding into a fielders choice.  No one should be too good to give themselves up.  When your entire offense is slumping, manufacturing runs gets you on track.

Patience at the Plate- Some of this might have to do with wanting to be a hero, but it’s mostly being undisciplined.  The Phillies are afraid to take a walk.  Nothing is more frustrating then a pitcher walking a batter on four pitches, and the next batter stepping to the plate and hacking at the first pitch.  Especially when it’s an infield pop-up.  The Philles don’t let opposing pitchers make pitches, they’d rather chase them, and opposing pitchers know that.  The Phillies need to find some plate discipline.  This has to start we the top of the lineup.  The more Rollins gets on base, the better the Phillies have a chance to score.  Rollins walks once every twelve plate appearances.  Those aren’t ideal numbers you want out of your leadoff batter.

When you can’t run the bases, chase bad pitches, and are always swinging for the fences, you become inconsistent. 

Inconsistancy is a perfect description for the Phillies.  It’s all or nothing.  This will not change until their approach changes.  Sure the home run is sexy and will get you All-Star votes, and bigger contracts, but it’s the little things that win ballgames. 

Top offenses know this.  The Phillies offense has yet to figure it out.