Phillies fall to Braves 5-3 on June 27, 2025, losing their NL East lead. Ronald Acuña Jr.'s homer bests Mick Abel. Can Philly's offense recover?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Well, the second half of the season has arrived, and it brought a harsh dose of reality with it. In a crucial series opener with massive division implications, the Philadelphia Phillies couldn't find their footing, falling 5-3 to the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. The loss not only stings but also officially erases their solo lead in the NL East, leaving them deadlocked with the very team that just beat them. It's a frustrating start to a pivotal series, and it shines a spotlight on a problem that's been simmering all season long.
I think we definitely have more [power] in there. And I think we’d all tell you that, too.
Young righty Mick Abel took the mound with a chance to make a statement but ended up with a tough-luck loss. Abel (2-2) battled through five innings, surrendering three runs on six hits. He wasn't bad, but against the Braves, 'not bad' often isn't enough. The decisive blow came in the fourth inning from an all-too-familiar foe, Ronald Acuña Jr., whose two-run homer gave Atlanta a lead they wouldn't relinquish. The Phillies' offense showed flashes of life, with Nick Castellanos driving in a run with a single in the eighth and Trea Turner scoring twice, but they couldn't string together the big rally needed to overcome the deficit against Braves starter Bryce Elder.
Friday's three-run output is unfortunately becoming the norm. As the Phillies cross the 81-game threshold, their offense is alarmingly quiet. The team is currently on pace for just 166 home runs, a number they haven't seen since the rebuilding days of 2016. Key sluggers like J.T. Realmuto, Nick Castellanos, and even Trea Turner are all projected to finish with power numbers well below their standards. Turner himself acknowledged the frustration, expressing confidence that the bats will eventually wake up. For a team with championship aspirations, 'eventually' needs to become 'now'.
While the bats have been inconsistent, the starting pitching continues to be a source of strength. We saw it with Abel's gritty, if not victorious, performance. And let's not forget what Christopher Sanchez did just a day earlier. In Thursday's loss to the Astros, Sanchez was absolutely masterful, striking out 11 batters over six innings without issuing a single walk. It was his third straight start without a free pass. That kind of elite control from the back of the rotation is a massive weapon and a reminder that this team's foundation is built on its arms.
The good news is that the talent pipeline is flowing. The organization's strong farm system provides both depth and a glimpse into a bright future. Arms like Spencer Painter, Michael Mercado, and Jean Cabrera are developing well, with Painter expected to potentially contribute to the big-league club in the bullpen later this year. On the offensive side, infielder Otto Kemp is a name to watch after posting a stellar .881 OPS across four minor league levels last season. While they may not be the immediate answer to the current slump, it's reassuring to know reinforcements are on the way.
Here we are: 81 games down, 81 to go, and tied for first place. This loss in Atlanta sets the stage for a weekend that feels like a playoff preview. The Phillies need their star-studded offense to break out of its season-long funk and prove Trea Turner right. The pitching has been solid, but they can't win if the bats don't provide support. The race for the NL East crown is officially on, and the next two games will tell us a lot about what this Phillies team is truly made of.
