From 2022 to 2026, the Philadelphia Phillies’ postseason run shrank each year. In 2022, the Phillies’ playoff run ended with a Game 6 loss in the World Series; the following year, the Arizona Diamondbacks eliminated them in the NLCS. For the previous two years, the Phillies wrapped up their playoffs with an elimination in the division series. This season, the Phillies were an even bigger disappointment. They could not even get past the Wild Card Round, with almost the same roster that won 96 games last year. Following their exit, a former general manager revealed their biggest problem.

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result. They need to change this dynamic. Something’s wrong with the core,” said Steve Phillips on MLB Now. “You’ve got seven years left of Trea Turner, and he’s not a shortstop. We keep saying that they’re not a really good defensive team; well, then fix the defense.”

Trea Turner sits at the center of the discussion on the Phillies’ defensive shortcomings.

According to Mike Petriello of MLB.com, Turner is in “his weakest season as a full-time Major Leaguer.”

He finished the regular season with a glaring 21 errors and a .963 fielding percentage. He is not fit for a shortstop this year, and hasn’t been one in previous years either. Except for 2025, when he recorded only 8 errors at shortstop, Turner recorded 17 and 23 errors in 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Turner’s 11-year, $300 million contract further complicates the situation.

The Phillies are committed to Turner through the 2033 season; hence, the club cannot simply treat the defensive problem as a short-term issue. The Phillies need to find a permanent solution if they want to get back to winning.

According to Phillips, the Phillies should not be afraid of spending money.

Philadelphia’s defensive problems, however, extend beyond Turner.

The Phillies’ infield was reshuffled after the August 3 trade deadline, when they acquired Luis Arraez.

To accommodate Arraez, Alec Bohm moved from third to first base, while Bryce Harper moved from first base to right field. Bryson Stott shifted from second to third. However, this arrangement did not last, as Arraez landed on the IL and the infield had to be shuffled again.

For a chance in the next season, the Phillies need to build a stable roster. Alec Bohm, Edmundo Sosa, and Jose Alvarado are free agents this offseason and will likely leave.

As Bryce Harper said, “I’d imagine this team is going to look a lot different next year.”

J.T. Realmuto, once regarded as one of baseball’s premier defensive catchers, has also faced questions about whether he remains the same Gold Glove-level defender he was earlier in his career. He is under a three-year, $45 million contract. Realmuto batted only .205 this season.

Those issues become particularly significant in October, when a single misplay can completely change the course of a game or series. The Phillies have enough offensive firepower to overwhelm opponents on their best nights, but defensive mistakes can erase that advantage.

For instance, in right field, Harper misread Drake Baldwin’s seventh-inning double in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series and allowed the Braves to take the lead.

Despite spending heavily on established stars, the club has not built a roster capable of competing for the National League pennant. The defensive shortcomings are a must to fix.

With that said, here’s a quick recap of how the Phillies lost Game 3 of the Wild Card Series to the Braves.

Phillies’ starting pitching trouble

The Phillies and the Braves entered Game 3 of the Wild Card series with their postseason run at stake. Philadelphia went home with a 6-2 loss on Thursday, despite holding a better historical record against the Braves in the postseason.

One question that stands out is Don Mattingly’s decision to start Aaron Nola on the mound.

Nola was fully rested, but after his last regular-season start against the Tampa Bay Rays, it was a risk.

Against the Rays, he exited after throwing 21 pitches in a single inning and allowing 3 runs on 4 hits. Despite that shaky outing, Mattingly trusted Nola in the decisive game, and the starter struggled again.

Nola threw 38 pitches in 1.2 innings and left the mound with the Phillies in a 3-0 gap. With one out, Nola gave up consecutive walks to Ronald Acuna Jr. and Matt Olson, loading the bases.

As Aaron Nola struggled with throwing strikes, Michael Harris II hit a three-run home run in the next at-bat. Mattingly pulled him with two outs in the second inning after he allowed a single to Dominic Smith.

Zack Wheeler has not pitched in the postseason, and he was on three days’ rest. So Mattingly decided to go with Nola. However, Nola did not last, and Wheeler had to step in.

Wheeler threw 4 innings. He gave up a two-run home run to Ozzie Albies, allowed 3 hits, and 3 walks. However, he did not allow the Braves to score any more runs.

Despite bringing in Wheeler, the Phillies could not salvage the game. Now, it’s time for the team to look forward to the offseason and start rebuilding if they want a comeback.