The Philadelphia Phillies have fired manager Joe Girardi with more than two-thirds of the 2022 regular season still to be played. Ahead of only seven teams in the overall MLB standings, Philadelphia has arguably been baseball’s most disappointing club.

With a 22-29 record, the Phillies might already be out of contention in the NL East. Philadelphia sits in third place, trailing the New York Mets by 12 games atop the division. The Phillies are only percentage points in front of the Miami Marlins for fourth place.

Even with the expanded playoff field, the Phillies face an uphill climb in the wild-card race. Philadelphia is 5.5 games behind the San Francisco Giants, which currently have the third and final National League wild-card spot. Five teams stand between the Giants and the Phillies in the wild-card standings.

The Phillies have lost seven of their last nine games. The Phillies are 3-9 against the Mets.

Bench coach Rob Thompson will replace Girardi as the Phillies interim manager.

“While all of us share responsibility for the shortcomings, I felt a change was needed and that a new voice in the clubhouse would give us the best chance to turn things around,” President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski said. “I am confident that Rob is the right man to lead us going forward.”

If Philadelphia doesn’t pitch or play better defense, it won’t matter who is managing the team. The Phillies’ bullpen is ninth in the NL with a 4.15 ERA and 14th with a 1.44 WHIP. The Phillies are second-to-last in MLB in defensive runs saved.

The Phillies are 10th in runs scored. The team needs the offense to be better than slightly above average in order to compete for a playoff berth.

Reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper leads Philadelphia with 32 RBI and .303/.359/.584 splits. Free-agent addition Kyle Schwarber is hitting .192. Nick Castellanos has a .742 OPS after posting a .939 OPS with the Cincinnati Reds last season. J.T. Realmuto’s .695 OPS is the worst since his rookie year.

The same issues have plagued Philadelphia since Girardi was hired for the 2020 season. The Phillies went 82-80 in 2021 for their first winning record in a decade. Philadelphia last made the playoffs in 2011.

Girardi was in the final year of his contract.

Joe Girardi Philadelphia Phillies
Manager Joe Girardi #25 of the Philadelphia Phillies argues during a game against the San Francisco Giants at Citizens Bank Park on May 31, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Rich Schultz/Getty Images
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