Phillies Lose Phive in a Row

The Washington Nationals have continuously been ranked at the gutter of the National League East, year after year. Not this time. The Nationals are a game away from sweeping their current series with the NL Leading Phillies.

The Phillies clinched their fifth consecutive division crown this past Saturday. They have since lost five straight, and potentially six if the Nationals have anything to say about it. At first I was a little concerned because this is the longest losing streak that the Phillies have had all season. But then I thought rationally and came up with these four concepts:

1. This Nationals team is not the "team of old". They're seriously only a few quality players out of being in contention in the next couple of years. 
2. The Phillies are resting a majority of their core players for the playoffs. Now granted, yes, we shouldn't see such a plunge in the offensive production, but the "back-up carousel" could be throwing team chemistry off. Just a guess.
3. Being that the Phillies were the first in MLB to clinch a postseason berth has to be part of the reason that they're production has gone down. What else do they have to play for besides records?
4. I bet you they "turn it back on" for the playoffs!

Aside from my theories, the Phillies have until early October to get it together. Here's to a long and prosperous playoff run for the Phil's!

ESPN Analysis HERE