NEW YORK— One of the dominant storylines heading into Game 2 of the NLDS was that a healthy Alec Bohm — just a few months after starting at third base for the NL All-Star team — wasn't in the starting lineup for the Phillies.
Rob Thomson elected to start Edmundo Sosa over Bohm at third base, hoping for a spark. But Bohm will be back in the lineup for Game 3 against Mets' lefty Sean Manaea, and says there's no lingering frustration about not starting Game 2.
"Yeah, I mean, we're past that," Bohm said. "It's not about me, it's about winning baseball games. I've already forgotten about all that."
Bohm did come in as a pinch hitter for Sosa in the bottom of the seventh inning of the eventual 7-6 instant-classic win for the Phillies. But he went 0-for-2 with two pop ups in a pair of at-bats.
The 28-year-old missed some time in September with a left hand strain, but his production in the second half of the season paled in comparison to what he did before the All-Star Game.
First Half: .295, 11 home runs, 70 RBIs, .830 OPS in 94 games
Second Half: .251, four home runs, 27 RBIs, .681 OPS in 49 games
So what does Bohm feel like has been holding him back at the plate?
"If I knew, I wouldn't be getting out," Bohm said in a joking manner.
Are there any mechanical issues?
"It's just not going my way," Bohm said.
Bohm did go on to say that he believes he's close to righting the ship.
"Yeah, I do," Bohm said. "I feel like I just missed a homer yesterday. But, you know, sometimes this game's unforgiving. I think the only thing I can do is keep going up there, keep putting my best foot forward, play the best defense that I can and eventually, I'm gonna get there. I'm gonna start hitting and it's gonna come soon."
Bohm popped out to third in his first at-bat of the day, a rather forgettable moment in the whirlwind game. But that's the swing he feels like he just missed on. Of the swing, Bohm simply said "close, but the game is hard."
Still, he says being around his teammates has helped him to remain confident.
"I think just being amongst the team," Bohm responded when asked how he stays confident. "Confidence can be an individual thing, but it can also be a group thing. So I think just kind of getting lost within the team. And I think the more and more I walk up there, [I'm] just getting closer and closer to coming through."
Being part of a thrilling comeback, even if he wasn't a key contributor, also helped Bohm to loosen up. Individually, he definitely wants to get back on track. But team goals, particularly in October, are the most important.
"I mean, obviously it would have been more crushing to not be out there and lose the game," Bohm said.
"But, it's like I said, it's not about me, it's about the Phillies winning baseball games."
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