The Philadelphia Phillies have been one of the worst teams in baseball in a key area.

There may be nothing better than baseball to offer a reality check, and the Phillies know it best. They entered 2026 with a $317 million payroll, fifth-highest in MLB.

The 8-13 start will heighten the scrutiny on everyone — the players, the coaches, the manager, the front office. The cracks are everywhere.

Hey, Goose! Duck! Duck! During the third inning of the Cubs' game against the Phillies at Wrigley Field on Monday night, a goose took over in shallow left field, positioned between the shifted shortstop Trea Turner and third baseman Alec Bohm,

"The Phillies were outscored 44-22 last week, and they now have baseball's worst run differential at minus-38 through 21 games. Ace Zack Wheeler could return during the club's weekend series in Atlanta, after making his fifth and final rehab start on Sunday, but there are issues beyond his absence at the top of the rotation."

Kyle Schwarber chucked his helmet into the dirt. He represented himself, his teammates, his organization and his city at that moment. The Phillies lost to the Braves on Sunday night at Citizens Bank Park,

Michael Harris II homered and had three hits as the streaking Atlanta Braves defeated the slumping Philadelphia Phillies 4-2 to complete a three-game sweep of their NL East rivals.

PITCHING PROBABLES: Phillies: Aaron Nola (1-1, 4.03 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 24 strikeouts); Cubs: Colin Rea (2-0, 3.63 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 15 strikeouts)

The Philadelphia Phillies' early-season spiral puts Dave Dombrowski and the front office on high alert - and could mean sweeping changes on the horizon.