The Phillies lost a pair of games Tuesday. One of those games was started by a guy with a 7.17 ERA. The other was started by a 30-year-old who had not pitched in the big leagues since 2017.

They have now lost four straight games and are currently on the outside looking in at an expanded National League postseason picture.

Indeed, the Phillies are in the midst of another full-fledged September implosion. It is a tradition like no other, and, as a result, they are on the verge of missing the playoffs for a ninth straight year.

Oh, that’s right. Almost forgot –the entire fan base remains irate over the general manager’s Monday press conference.

In short, Tuesday was a disaster in every way possible for the Phillies.

Well, almost every way possible.

As they unraveled over 6.5 hours this afternoon and evening, television analyst John Kruk stole the show. Following their listless 5-1 loss in game one – a game in which the Phillies produced just three hits (three goddamn hits?!) and lost with their best pitcher on the mound – Kruk unleashed on what was, frankly, a gutless performance:

True.

Of course, the Phillies would show some fight in the second game, turning a 6-3 deficit into a 7-6 lead in extra innings. It appeared they would add to the lead with Alec Bohm at the plate after Roman Quinn swiped third. And then…

Right around the 27 second mark you can feel one of the fun words coming, but Kruk showed restraint. He did have to double-check, though, just in case.

Turns out they could have used an extra run or two. Or five.

Anyway, kudos to Kruk for telling it like it is. He was a refreshing voice throughout what was a soul-sucking day of baseball.