Brandon Marsh

It's been 50 days since Marsh started against a lefty. At the deadline, the Phillies could seek a better RHH outfielder to pair with Marsh.

Only three teams have had bigger year-to-year drops in chase rate. Almost every Phillies regular has made better first-pitch decisions.

"My whole life as a player and person changed," Marsh said, "coming over here to Philly." As he returns to Anaheim, he reflects on it all.

The Phillies are facing three lefty starters in a row, which forced them to tip their hand about how they view Marsh.

The Phillies believe in Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas, who have bonded in their quest to become established big-league regulars.

The Phillies, according to major-league sources, have pitched free agents on a fourth outfielder role but have not found a match.

The Phillies have two younger players — Marsh and Rojas — who could fill starting spots, but they are exploring versatile free agents.

The Phillies are trying different combinations so they have a better picture when October comes. The next three weeks could provide clarity.

The Phillies have 35 come-from-behind wins this season and a 3 1/2-game lead over the next team in the wild-card race.

"We wouldn't be here without them": The youngsters have a .783 OPS, the highest mark for 26-and-under Phillies hitters since 2005 to 2006.

Here's how the Phillies will adjust during Marsh's absence. Rojas, all of a sudden, has become an integral character in this season.

Plus thoughts on upcoming roster decisions, Cristian Pache, Yunior Marte, Bryson Stott, Andrew Vasquez, Matt Strahm, Noah Song and more.

After winning the pennant, this year was supposed to be different. Nope. The Phillies are 25-31 and face a similar scenario to a season ago.

It's been a good three weeks for Phillies youngsters Brandon Marsh, Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm. Kevin Long and Kyle Schwarber are believers.

It's been interesting to watch Thomson be more proactive with lineup tweaks than he was last summer as interim manager.

The cracks in a pitching staff that entered the season depleted have become far too prominent in only five days. There are no easy fixes.

The Phillies have four positions on the field that could become platoon situations. They won't be able to hide every lefty hitter from LHPs.

It isn’t every day that a World Series game looks more like batting practice at Cape Canaveral.