The Philadelphia Phillies faced an early exit in the National League Division Series, being eliminated by the New York Mets in just four games.
It was a challenging series for the Phillies, who struggled at the plate and received disappointing performances from their bullpen. Heading into the postseason, the team appeared to have all the elements of a World Series contender on paper.
Regrettably, 2024 turned out to be a disappointment despite the high hopes. Now, the Phillies will need to regroup and strategize to enhance this talented roster and aim for a World Series appearance in 2025.
Looking back at their series against the Mets, several players unfortunately underperformed. Here are three individuals who disappointed the most for Philadelphia in the NLDS.
Matt Strahm
The Phillies’ postseason struggles with their bullpen continued, and Matt Strahm’s performance exemplified this issue. He had an impressive regular season, boasting a 1.87 ERA and 79 strikeouts over 62.2 innings. However, against the Mets, he allowed four runs in just 2.1 innings. Throughout the regular season, there was only one month when he gave up more than four runs, highlighting how frustrating his series against New York was.
Alec Bohm
Alec Bohm’s performance in the series was particularly surprising. In 2024, he had the best season of his career, establishing himself as a key hitter in the lineup and driving in numerous runs. Yet, against the Mets, he managed only one hit and was even benched for the start of Game 2—the sole game the Phillies won in the series. For a player who racked up 97 RBIs during the regular season, failing to contribute in the playoffs was a significant letdown.
Jeff Hoffman
The most disappointing performance came from Jeff Hoffman. In 2023, he was one of the few reliable relief pitchers for the team. However, he struggled mightily against the Mets, allowing six earned runs in just 1.1 innings. Given his strong regular season, the Phillies may consider parting ways with him this offseason, as he is a free agent. While their bullpen by committee worked well during the regular season, it’s clear they need a more dependable closer moving forward.
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