Cubs Deliver Crushing Blow to Slumping Phillies in Series Finale
Hey everyone, let’s talk about what just happened in the Phillies-Cubs series finale on June 11th, 2025 — because it’s something Philly fans are going to be chewing on for a while. The Cubs came into Citizens Bank Park and walked out with a dominant 7-2 win, handing the Phillies yet another punch to the gut during what’s become a serious downward spiral.
This wasn’t just any loss. This was the capstone to a stretch where the Phillies dropped 10 of their last 13 games. For context: they were clinging to the final wild card spot in the National League and now find themselves five games out of first in the NL East. And it’s not just the losses — it’s how they’re losing. Over that slump, they’ve been outscored 71 to 38. That’s almost a 2-to-1 beatdown. Ouch.
Now, Wednesday’s game should have been a chance to spark a turnaround. They were facing a Cubs team known for a potent offense, and yet it was the Phillies who came up empty. Sure, they managed two runs, but that was a mild showing in a game where the Cubs' lineup punished them with consistent, confident swings. Meanwhile, the Phillies bats looked lost again — tentative, unconvincing, and frankly, tired.
There are some big underlying issues here. A major one? The Phillies have completely lost their ability to hit anything off-speed. It’s like pitchers across the league got the memo: throw them junk, and they’ll flail. The numbers don’t lie — slugging percentages have cratered across the board for Phillies hitters when facing non-fastballs. We’re talking Bryce Harper, Nick Castellanos, even Alec Bohm — guys who were crushing just a year ago are now ghosts against breaking pitches.
Also Read:- Israel’s Strike on Iran Marks a Dangerous Turn in Middle East Tensions
- Oilers Shake Up Lineup in Do-Or-Die Game 4 vs Panthers
And then there’s the mental side. Sports psychologist Mitchell Greene nailed it: the “mind chatter” is real. When guys step up to the plate thinking about not failing instead of how to succeed, they’re already toast. You can see it in their body language. Greene’s approach — turning fear into action-focused thinking — makes a ton of sense, but with no sports psychologist in the clubhouse, you wonder if that guidance is reaching them.
Injuries aren’t helping either. Aaron Nola’s out. José Alvarado’s suspended. Bryce Harper’s barely seen the field lately. That’s a lot of star power missing, and the weight is clearly crushing the rest of the team. Guys like Brandon Marsh have been given the spotlight and haven’t delivered — particularly against right-handers, where his numbers have plummeted. And the outfield as a whole? Brutal. Statistically, the center field production is some of the worst the franchise has ever seen.
Pitching-wise, there are bright spots. Cristopher Sánchez and Ranger Suárez have had strong outings recently, and Zack Wheeler is coming back soon. But the bullpen’s still walking a tightrope, especially in high-leverage situations. Without Alvarado, there’s no lefty the manager trusts consistently. That’s a major hole, and it's been exposed repeatedly.
So, what now? The Phillies have an off day before heading into a new series, but if they can’t find both their offensive confidence and some mental resilience, it won’t matter who’s on the mound. The Cubs exposed every one of their current flaws — and unless something shifts fast, this could be the start of a very long summer in Philadelphia.
Read More:
0 Comments