Five straight

 The Phillies five game winning streak seems like ages ago, but it really wasn't. On May 13 the Phillies won five straight, beating the Rockies 7-4. They were 20-19, and consecutive wins made the Phillies looking like they were turning their season around. 

    They weren't, as since then, their record has been 5-13. 

    First, they need more from Trea Turner. Turner was supposed to be the one person that could push the Phillies over the hill of the World Series. The extra person who was the missing puzzle piece. Turner definitely has been a good addition to the team. He's had eight stolen bases, 56 hits, 15 RBI and five home runs. But in the Phillies' recent slump, Turner has had two hits, 0 RBI, 0 home runs. The only highlight was his stolen base against the Mets. 

    While some may be complaining about Turner, even more are griping about Kyle Schwarber, and they have every right to. Schwarber's statistics are steadily decreasing. He hasn't hit above .170 since a May 25th loss to the Braves. He hasn't hit above .200 since a May 1st loss to the Dodgers. He hasn't had a game without a strikeout since a May 24th win over the Diamondbacks. Schwarber has totaled 71 strikeouts on the year, compared to his 33 hits and 27 RBI. And despite his 13 home runs, he is batting a putrid .166 average.

    Schwarber is supposed to be the slugger Philly can count on. He is supposed to be Bryce Harper's right hand man. And speaking of Harper, he also has had an iffy last five games. Harper has had eight strikeouts over the last five games. He has had two hits, but 0 RBI. Harper's .308 batting average over the past five games have kept him off the hot seat, but Schwarber is on it, and it is hot. 

    Last night was the most recent loss of the five game losing streak. It was the "no name" players who really helped the team. The unheralded players poured in all they could, but Philly lost a close one 8-7. Nick Castellanos did showed the Philly spirit against the Nationals last night, hitting ball after ball. He finishing with five RBI, four hits, two homers, and a .311 batting average. Brandon Marsh stole a base, hit two balls and batted in a run. Bryson Stott earned a walk and had two hits. 

    

Nick Castellanos's huge game couldn't give Philly the win

Photo Credit: Phillies Nation

    It is incredible hard for a sports team to return to a championship after losing the year before. The Phillies as of now are 25-32, seven games under .500. They are at the bottom of the NL East. Philly last year around this time was 28-29. The MLB season is long, 162 games. Philly has only played 57 of those games, but right now, do not look so hot. Five straight losses is not a great way inspire any confidence, and right now, forget the World Series. The Phillies don't really even look like a playoff bound team. 

The above photo was taken from a Phillies Nation article. Photo taken by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire. Image used for commentary.