There’s a very clear difference in the way the first 17 games went for the Phillies and how the last six have gone. Early in the Phils were working counts and earning walks and then bringing those free passes around to score. Now, not so much. Pitchers have adjusted and they’re going right after Phillie batters, throwing strikes and making them hit their way on. For their part the Phillies haven’t adjusted – they’re giving pitchers two strikes and then striking out.
Through the first 17 games the Phillies as a team walked 12.6% of the time but over the last six that number is down to 8.