TORONTO – The Phillies had José Berríos on the ropes. With one out and the bases loaded, the top of the lineup was due up with the Phillies up 1-0 in the fifth inning of Wednesday’s eventual 2-1 walk-off loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.
It’s debatable whether or not lineup construction matters even a little bit over a 162-game season, but it does come into focus when it doesn’t work in key spots. Bryson Stott has been the Phillies’ leadoff hitter against right-handed starting pitchers since the Cardinals series in mid-April. They like his ability to see pitches.