Slump Over

Rhys Hotkins, I mean Hoskins, has finally shed his slump. In a big way. In his last 5 games, Hoskins has 9 hits in 17 at-bats with 4 walks. He homered twice on Monday against the Reds and has 5 RBIs in the last 5 games.

If the Phils have any shot at all of making the playoffs, Hoskins will have to keep hitting. They got a surprising solid start from Drew Smyly on Monday, but the state of the pitching staff is such that it can't be counted on. The Phils will have to hit their way into October.

There are 26 games left in the regular season and the Phils are 2.5 games out of the second wild-card spot. They have the toughest schedule in baseball the rest of the way. If they keep hitting, they have a chance.