The Phillies’ offense has an Achilles’ heel, and it’s not just Rhys Hoskins who’s encumbered by it.
Deep into the season, it’s become clear that the Phillies’ offense has a rather alarming problem with changeups, leaving themselves incredibly vulnerable to losing at-bats on swings geared for pitches expected to be 10 MPH harder than how they arrive.
In the wake of being dissected by young Reds fireballer Luis Castillo - 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K - the point feels reinforced: Six of Castillo’s nine strikeouts came on changeups, and each of those six were swinging Ks.