The Philadelphia Phillies are in the middle of a major collapse, and their postseason hopes have taken a serious hit. Entering Thursday, the club had fallen outside the playoff picture, with nearly every part of the roster struggling. The offense has gone quiet, defensive issues continue to pile up, and now the pitching staff is showing signs of breaking down. With just 40 games remaining, the Phillies have little time left to turn things around. Several major adjustments may be necessary if they want to rescue their season.
Bench Alec Bohm
Alec Bohm has been one of the biggest disappointments on the Phillies’ roster this season. The former No. 3 overall pick has never fully developed into the impact player many expected, and his struggles have reached a new low in 2026 with a troubling .653 OPS.
Despite his offensive struggles and defensive limitations, Philadelphia has continued giving Bohm everyday opportunities. The situation became even more complicated after the team acquired second baseman Luis Arraez, moving Bohm from third base to first and forcing Bryce Harper back into right field.
That adjustment has created more problems than solutions. Harper has struggled defensively in the outfield and has dealt with knee issues, while Bohm has continued to struggle at the plate and show frustration during games. Continuing to use this defensive alignment simply to keep Bohm’s bat in the lineup could put the team’s best player at unnecessary risk.
With the offseason likely bringing a decision on Bohm’s future, the Phillies should prioritize winning now. Giving him a reduced role could be the best move for both the player and the team.
Give Derek Hill everyday opportunities
The Phillies may not have expected much when they acquired Derek Hill in a minor trade with the Chicago White Sox, but the veteran outfielder has quickly become one of their most valuable additions.
Since joining Philadelphia, Hill has provided a major spark, appearing in 38 games while posting a respectable .758 OPS. His elite speed, defensive range, and Gold Glove-caliber ability in center field have given the Phillies something they desperately needed.
With Brandon Marsh and Justin Crawford both potentially vulnerable against left-handed pitching, Hill deserves a larger role down the stretch. Playing him regularly would also allow Philadelphia to end the Harper-in-right-field experiment and move Harper back to first base, where he is more comfortable.
Move Luis Arraez into the leadoff spot
Luis Arraez has gotten off to a slow start since joining the Phillies, hitting just .200 through his first nine games while drawing only one walk. However, his track record makes him the obvious candidate to set the table at the top of the lineup.
A career .316 hitter, Arraez has built his reputation on elite bat-to-ball skills and his ability to consistently reach base. The Phillies need that presence near the top of the order.
Kyle Schwarber, who has struggled recently after spending much of the season as the leadoff hitter, could benefit from moving into a run-producing role lower in the lineup. Putting Schwarber behind Arraez and Bryce Harper would give him more opportunities to drive in runs instead of relying primarily on solo home runs.
Stop relying on José Alvarado in key moments
Philadelphia’s bullpen has been one of the weakest areas of the team, and José Alvarado has become a major concern. The veteran left-hander has posted a disappointing 6.14 ERA in 51 appearances this season while issuing 22 walks over only 44 innings.
Although his underlying metrics still suggest he has the talent to be effective, that ability has not translated into consistent results this year. With the Phillies fighting for a playoff spot, they can no longer afford to use Alvarado in high-pressure situations.
The team may still need to give him lower-leverage opportunities to find his form, but he should not be trusted with crucial outs in close games until he proves he can handle the pressure again.
Give Alex McFarlane a real opportunity
Alex McFarlane has had a frustrating season, with the Phillies limiting his opportunities despite his impressive talent. The hard-throwing right-hander has appeared in only two major league games, leaving many wondering why he has not received a longer look.
While expecting McFarlane to instantly fix the bullpen would be unrealistic, he has dominated at the minor league level and deserves a legitimate chance to prove he belongs.
His outing against the St. Louis Cardinals did not go as planned, but one poor appearance should not define his season. With Philadelphia searching for answers, giving McFarlane meaningful innings could provide the bullpen with a much-needed boost.
At this point, the Phillies need to explore every possible solution. Waiting for things to improve on their own may leave them watching the postseason from home.