3 changes the Phillies need to make after disastrous 27 earned run start
By Josh Wilson
Phillies need to steal bases more
Before the season, the Phillies were projected to be the fastest team in the MLB.
Combine that speed with bigger bases and rule changes that prevent pitchers from attempting pick-off throws at an unlimited rate, and you’d think the Phillies would lead the league in steals after two games.
Well, not so fast… The Phillies have just two stolen bases two games in. They haven’t been picked off yet, so that’s good, but they’re not attempting steals, either.
To be fair to Philadelphia, they also haven’t had a ton of opportunities. They’ve racked up 21 hits and 5 walks, good for the fourth-most bases per game so far, but they have had eight doubles, four triples, and a walk (they rank sixth-lowest in singles per game). So essentially, there have been eight opportunities to steal second from first base. Not every first base appearance lends itself as a steal opportunity.
But eventually, the Phillies will have more opportunities to steal. They have to, they’re sixth-best in batting average on balls in play after two games. When those opportunities arise, they need to steal ’em.