The Phillies finished off a sweep of the reigning World Series champion Texas Rangers today. They’re an incredible 37-14, winners of 6 straight games, and 9 of their last 10. For context, the Braves have the 3rd best record in the National League and behind only the Yankees and Guardians in the American League (dependent on the result of the Orioles game) and they’re 6 games back of the Phillies!
It goes without saying that the Phillies will not play at a .725 clip for the entire season (probably). Their schedule will get tougher. In fact, it can’t get any easier. They’ve had the easiest strength of schedule to this point, and their schedule will be among the middle of the pack in terms of “strength” the rest of the way. However, it doesn’t change the fact that they’re mashing teams, have two topline starters in Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola, AND are 14-3 since Trea Turner went down with a hamstring strain.
In short, this is a team that can ABSOLUTELY make it to the World Series, and especially so in the National League that features two other really good teams and not much else. They also boast arguably the best homefield advantage in all of baseball. Phillies fans are notorious for being loud and only getting louder as the game goes along. Of course, the Phillies were up 3-2 in the NLCS last year and last back-to-back home games to the Diamondbacks in shocking fashion.
Between that and falling short in the World Series the year prior, Phillies fans will be hesitant to buy in until the team proves they can win when it counts; in October. Having said that, the Phillies must be taken seriously. They have a powerful offense even without Trea Turner, and their bullpen has been pitching well too! We will learn more when they hit some adversity, but it’s hard to imagine them not making noise in October once again.