The Philadelphia Phillies made a bold move in Game 2 of the NL Division Series by benching All-Star third baseman Alec Bohm, who has been struggling at the plate recently. Bohm, who went 0 for 4 in Game 1 against the New York Mets, was replaced by Edmundo Sosa in the lineup.
Manager Rob Thomson explained that he wanted to inject some energy into the lineup by starting Sosa, who is known for his hustle and enthusiasm on the field. While Bohm has had a solid season, he has been in a slump lately, going 2 for 27 in his last few games.
Despite Bohm’s struggles, Thomson clarified that the decision to bench him was not meant as a wake-up call for the team. The Phillies are well aware of the need to step up their game, especially after wasting a strong performance from ace pitcher Zack Wheeler in Game 1.
In addition to Bohm, other key players like Trea Turner and Nick Castellanos have also been struggling at the plate in the postseason. Turner is hitless in his last 16 at-bats, while Castellanos recently ended a hitless streak that started in last season’s NLCS.
With the offense sputtering, the Phillies will need more than just energy from players like Sosa to turn things around. Second baseman Bryson Stott was moved up in the batting order in Game 2, hoping to provide a spark for the lineup.
As the Phillies look to even the series against the Mets, they will need their high-priced lineup to start producing runs. The decision to bench Bohm was a bold one, but one that Thomson felt was necessary to try and jumpstart the offense. Whether this move pays off remains to be seen, but the Phillies are hoping for a much-needed boost in Game 2.
