Alec Bohm reveals why Phillies hitters struggle to come through in the big moments

Matt Sullivan

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Alec Bohm reveals why Phillies hitters struggle to come through in the big moments image

After dropping Game 1 of the NLDs, the Philadelphia Phillies needed to bounce back and secure a win in Game 2. However, despite another strong outing from a starting pitcher, the Phillies' offense couldn't muster much of anything until it was too late, resulting in a brutal loss.

Now down 0-2 to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Phillies have to travel out west to try and save their season. It's possible, but only if the Phillies hitters can get their act together and get hits in the big moments.

Alec Bohm, after Game 2, shared why the Phillies' hitters are struggling when the lights are at their brightest. John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia shared the veteran third baseman's comments, which reveal a concerning mindset for the Phillies sluggers.

Why are Phillies hitters struggling to hit when the lights are at their brightest?

"I think there are some big spots where I think you're trying so hard that it just gets you," Bohm said. "Everything is so heightened, and you're so hyper-focused that you see something, and you don't even know why you swung. It just happens. That's the part of the game where you gotta try to slow it down and stay within yourself. Everybody just wants to help the team win."

This postseason, the Phillies haven't had the big hits when they're needed. Back in 2022, and even part of 2023, Phillies hitters came through in the clutch often. Bryce Harper had the swing of his life, Rhys Hoskins clubbed multiple long balls in key spots, while Nick Castellanos exploded in the 2023 NLDS against the Atlanta Braves.

JT Realmuto and Kyle Schwarber also had their moments, and even hitters like Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh came through at points when it mattered most.

But, in the last two playoff runs, along with the NLCS in 2023 after Games 1 and 2 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Phillies hitters haven't come through when it matters most. In this series against the Dodgers, Phillies hitters have a .203 batting average with a .601 OPS.

In the big moments, when it matters most, the Phillies hitters haven't come through. As Bohm described, Phillies hitters are trying to do too much. Being a postseason hero is a dream of every player, but the Phillies' hitters are pressing too hard for such a goal.

More: Phillies' Kyle Schwarber vows to be better after 0-4 NLDS Game 1

Not only are they struggling in the big moments, but even in lower-leverage spots, they aren't coming through either. Schwarber doesn't have a hit in the playoffs, while Harper and Turner each have one.

The offense as a whole has struggled mightily, and Bohm, who is 1-for-6 with two walks and two runs scored, is one of the Phillies' better offensive players in this series.

No team can live in the playoffs with their offense playing this poorly, and Bohm's comment reveals that the Phillies' hitters are pressing too much, resulting in poor offensive production from the entire lineup.

As Bohm highlighted, the offense is struggling when the lights are at their brightest, leading to a terrible showing in the playoffs from the entire lineup. While the lineup wants to help the team win, they are only hurting the team by pressing so hard to be the hero.

Now on the verge of elimination, the Phillies' offense needs to figure things out; otherwise, it'll be another disastrous season that followed a great regular season. Bohm and the Phillies offense will face Dodgers' ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto on Wednesday, October 8th, in Game 3 of an NLDS that's been a disaster for the Phillies thus far.

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Matt Sullivan

Matt Sullivan is a freelance writer for The Sporting News, predominantly covering MLB. Matt is a native of Pennsylvania and has worked with Athlon Sports, Last Word on Sports, and other outlets.