Trea Turner's excuses ring hollow after Phillies playoff exit

The Phillies bats were essentially dormant during the four-game set, posting a .186/.295/.302 batting line in 129 plate appearances with just eight extra-base hits. Outfielder Kyle Schwarber belted a leadoff home run in Game 1 for one of the few Phillies' highlights in the series. Turner struggled as well, with just three hits and two walks in his 17 plate appearances against the Mets.

The early exit may not be much of a surprise in retrospect. The Phillies were 40-38 over the final three months of the season, coasting into the playoffs after a hot start to the year. Phillies pitchers posted a 4.70 ERA and a 1.358 WHIP in their 685 2/3 innings over that time frame, ranking 27th and 25th in those respective categories. The Mets, meanwhile, were one of the hottest teams in baseball in that same space, posting a 49-32 record as they stormed into a playoff spot.

Nothing is guaranteed in the postseason. Teams can get hot at the right time, going on an unlikely run to a championship. Such was the case in 2023 as the Rangers and Diamondbacks faced off in the World Series. The Phillies just faced off against such a team in the Mets. The better team won, no matter what excuses Turner or anyone else come up with.

Turner may feel that the Philadelphia Phillies beat themselves against the Mets. The final three months of the season indicate otherwise.