What Phillies should do at leadoff, cleanup spots

The Philadelphia Phillies have stumbled from the gate offensively, posting the 25th-best batting average (.221) and third-fewest runs (53) in the majors. In particular, they have struggled at the leadoff and cleanup spots. 

A potential solution may be a lineup change, moving rookie center fielder Justin Crawford, who's off to a solid start, to the leadoff spot. He's only played in 14 games in the big leagues, but the Phillies (7-8) need a spark.

Half of the top of the order has performed well at the plate this season, with the leadoff (.250 batting average) and cleanup spots (.186) the biggest concerns. Shortstop Trea Turner is the primary leadoff hitter, but he has struggled, hitting .254 with a .664 OPS and 15 strikeouts. 

At the cleanup spot, Philadelphia has rotated third baseman Alec Bohm (.148 average/455 OPS), right fielder Adolis Garcia (.204/.631) and left fielder Brandon Marsh (.269/.733). Marsh took over the cleanup duties from Bohm during the Arizona Diamondbacks series and went 2-for-10 with three RBI, a home run and five strikeouts. 

The Phillies should consider moving Justin Crawford up

Crawford, the No. 9 hitter, has exceeded expectations. The 22-year-old has a .341 batting average, team-leading .408 on-base percentage and an .885 OPS. 

Although Crawford has one steal this season, he’d offer manager Rob Thomson another dynamic runner to pair with Turner at the top of the lineup. Crawford had 46 steals with Triple-A Lehigh Valley last season. 

Sliding Crawford to the leadoff spot would allow designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (who has been hitting second) to move to the cleanup role, providing first baseman Bryce Harper, the No. 3 hitter, with the protection he lacks. 

Schwarber has four home runs, nine RBI and a .500 slugging percentage, while Harper is hitting .273 with a .902 OPS and three home runs. 

Starting Monday, the Phillies play a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs. They should start it off with a lineup change.