Evan Macy

The Phillies dropped two of three in the Midwest to the Royals, thanks partially to an absent offense, and partially Cris Sánchez' worst start as a major league pitcher. As a result, a promising gem from Jesús Luzardo on Saturday gave way to back-to-back losses on Sunday and Monday, with Monday's 15-1 setback as brutally ugly as they come. The loss was so bad that it put the Phillies into the negative in run differential for the season (after entering Game 2 of the series at +10).

After pummeling the baseball for three straight games this week in sweaty mid-summer Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies' bats fell silent in Thursday's finale. Settling for an even series split with the Pirates following a 6-1 loss, the Phils are still within striking distance of the slumping NL East-leading Braves. With a long road trip ahead, let's pause to hand out some awards from the series in South Philly. What should Phillies fans be excited about? And worried about?

If the Phillies make a big splash at the trade deadline later this month — and many expect they will — it will probably be in the form of a right-handed outfielder. Even amid Derek Hill's recent heroics, the Phils need power, and consistency in the outfield. There's another glaring weakness, however. And it's in the starting rotation. On days the Phillies have Cris Sánchez, Zack Wheeler and Jesús Luzardo on the hill they're 34-13. When they have someone else starting, they're 14-25.