The Philadelphia Phillies are gearing up for their third deep playoff run in as many years. As of Sept. 23, they are just behind the Los Angeles Dodgers for the best record in MLB. The Phillies have already clinched the National League (NL) East Division title with a 6-2 win over the Chicago Cubs Sept. 23. This marked the first time they clinched the NL East title since 2011.
The Phillies lineup is one of the deepest in the NL. Bryce Harper has been stellar this year. He leads the team in several offensive categories, including extra base hits, on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) and total bases.
Lead-off man Kyle Schwarber evolved his game to incorporate more contact. His batting average has jumped over 50 points from last year, sitting at .250 as of Sept. 23. He is not sacrificing power, either; his on-base and slugging percentages are also up. Schwarber leads the team in walks and home runs. His approach will make him a difference-maker in October.
The rest of the lineup is still full of talent. Alec Bohm was an All-Star this year, pairing career-best batting splits with improved defense at third base. Trea Turner looked far more confident this season and returned to form. Brandon Marsh is still an above average hitter and elite defender.
The back end of the lineup has been less effective than last season. Nick Castellanos has been average at best after a poor start. J.T. Realmuto has struggled with a knee injury. It has been a down year for Bryson Stott at the plate. The Phillies need production from these players in the playoffs if they want to return to the World Series.
Centerfield remains a question. Johan Rojas is still ineffective offensively. Struggling deadline acquisition Austin Hays may not even make the playoff roster due to a kidney infection. General manager Rob Thomson has tried outfield platoons in previous postseasons, so he may start the recent call-up Cal Stevenson against righties and Rojas against lefties.
The Phillies’ starting pitching staff is their biggest strength. Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sanchez and Ranger Suárez were all All-Stars and posted career-best earned run averages (ERAs). Combined with longtime ace Aaron Nola, this is one of the best rotations in baseball. Expect these four starters to continue their dominance in the playoffs. If they can do so, the bullpen will thrive.
The relievers are the Phillies’ “X factor.” José Alvarado had a poor season and struggled to get strikeouts. Luckily, Jeff Hoffman, Matt Strahm and Orion Kerkering stepped up and posted elite ERAs. These three will take up the high-leverage relief innings. José Ruiz and midseason acquisition Carlos Estévez can step in if necessary. The Phillies’ bullpen lacks left-handers, however. Alvarado, Strahm and Tanner Banks are the only reliable lefty relievers who are locks for the postseason roster. Alvarado finding his form would be significant.
Still, the Phillies face stiff competition. The NL is chock full of contenders. The Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres are all strong teams. It will be tough to even make the World Series, let alone win it over the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles or Cleveland Guardians of the American League. The Phillies stand a good chance to make a run, though. They enter the postseason relatively healthy. Their lineup is dangerous, especially if the bottom produces. The starting pitching is elite. The bullpen can win games if they’re not overworked. If all goes right, the Phillies have a real chance of winning their first World Series since 2008.
