The surging Phillies are in the driver's seat in their bid to end a 10-year playoff drought, but you might not know it based on fan turnout.
And that doesn't sit well with former Phillies shortstop and 2007 NL MVP Jimmy Rollins, who was one of the team's anchors during its last run of greatness.
Rollins, 43, took to social media on Wednesday night to hype the resurgent Phils -- and also to take the fans to task for not coming out in force to support the home team.
"This @Phillies team has IT!!," Rollins tweeted. "It has taken some@time but they are here to WIN!! Still seeing too many empty seats at the Bank though . Where are the sellouts that get the bank rocking and make Philadelphia the best sports town in the world?!!! #everybodyhits"
Rollins would seem to have a point based on attendance figures.
According to ESPN, the Phils are ranked 15th in MLB in average attendance, at 28,703 spectators per contest. Announced attendance for Wednesday night's matchup against the Marlins was an underwhelming 23,021 fans, or just a shade over half of Citizens Bank Park's capacity of 43,651.
To be fair to the fans, the Phillies slumbered through much of the first half, only getting hot in recent weeks. The Phillies were 22-29 through their first 51 games, an underwhelming start that led to the dismissal of former manager Joe Girardi. Since then, though, they've gone a blistering 40-19 under interim manager Rob Thomson.
After an untimely hiccup coming out of All-Star break, including a three-game sweep at the hands of the Cubs, the Phils have won seven in a row and 12 of their last 13. They now have sole possession of the second wild-card spot in the National League.
On Wednesday night, they were manacled early by Marlins All-Star pitcher Sandy Alcantara, only to mount a late rally punctuated by a three-run eighth inning.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram