Philadelphia, PA
- After winning 62 franchise-record games before the All-Star break, the Phillies are poised to continue their strong play in the second half. The club’s torrid pace has them trending upward and on pace for what could be a memorable finish to the season. Sending eight players to the All-Star Game further cemented their standing among baseball's elite. Bryce Harper is an MVP candidate, while Trea Turner aims to become the Phillies' first NL batting champion since Richie Ashburn in 1958.
The Phillies are among baseball’s best offenses. They rank second in MLB with 4.97 runs per game and are third in batting average (.259), on-base percentage (.331), and OPS (.755). They're also hitting home runs and slugging at an impressive clip. Zack Wheeler is putting together a Cy Young-caliber season, but he's not alone in this rotation; the Phillies lead MLB with a 3.22 ERA and 11.4 WAR from their starters -- three of whom were named All-Stars, four of whom should have been -- while boasting an increasingly stout bullpen.
Defensively, the Phillies rank eighth in Outs Above Average, showing they can be trusted with the glove as well as the bat. As they head into the second half, they do so believing more than ever that it might be time for that long-awaited parade down Broad Street.
Second-Half Goal
The goal for Philadelphia during the final stretch remains clear: Win it all — this time around. Anything less would be considered a failure by the organization's standards at this point.
The Phillies have been knocking on the door of a championship the last two seasons but haven’t been able to bust it open. In 2022, they advanced to the World Series only to lose in six games against the Houston Astros. Then last year, after coming home with a 3-2 series lead against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NLCS, they stunningly lost the last two games.
Anticipated Trade Deadline Approach
While they know that every game counts, the Phillies still have their sights set on improving their team by the trade deadline on July 30. One of those areas they’re focused on is landing a right-handed-hitting outfielder who can play left or center field. Weston Wilson will get a shot to show himself in left against lefties over the next couple of weeks; his performance likely won't change Philadelphia's pursuit of another bat.
Another priority for the club is adding another late-inning reliever to help solidify high-leverage situations and maintain leads in the National League. The club wants to make sure it has enough depth for what it hopes is an extended October run.
Key Player
The right knee surgery of J.T. Realmuto on June 9 has kept him off the field, but manager Rob Thomson said he could return as soon as Monday’s game against Minnesota.
Garrett Stubbs and Rafael Marchán have filled in well during that time, though the team is undoubtedly excited to see Realmuto back. His presence behind the plate and in the lineup — likely hitting fifth after Alec Bohm — will be a boost for the Phillies as they push for a championship.
Prospect to Watch
The Phillies don’t have any top-rated prospects expected to be added to the MLB roster soon, but they do have talent in their farm system. Andrew Painter and Aidan Miller, their top two prospects, will likely stay put.
Trading those top players isn’t part of the plan, but everyone has a price when it comes to trying to win a World Series. The Phillies may use other prospects to bolster their roster before the July 30 trade deadline with an eye toward ensuring they have a solid lineup for a deep playoff run.
For fans looking to bet MLB Playoff Berths, keeping an eye on these potential moves could be insightful. The Phillies are gearing up for a strong finish and hope to see key contributions from their minor-league talent, either directly or through trades.
The Takeaway
The second half of the season should be exciting for the Phillies, who are primed for strong performances down the stretch with some key players set to return while also being focused on winning a World Series again.
Every game counts for them at this point, but there’s reason to believe they’re going all-in with their spirit and strategy leading up to July 30. Stay tuned as they look to bring another championship parade down Broad Street.
Stephanie is a nutrition professional with a huge passion for sports, who enjoys writing articles on wellness and fitness and reviewing the latest matches. Her mission is to learn new things every day and empower others with her insights.
