In past years, the Phillies have been known for slow starts and mid season surges. However this has not been the case in 2024. They have flipped the script, starting strong and dominating for 162 games.
Philadelphia clinched the National League East title last week for the first time in 13 years. After their 12-2 win against the Mets on September 20th, the Phillies locked up the 2nd seed and will face the winner of the NL Wild Card series, either the Milwaukee Brewers or New York Mets.
The Phillies are favored to make a deep postseason splash after last season’s run as a wildcard team, when they came within one game of reaching the World Series before falling to the NL champion Arizona Diamondbacks.
Fans are hoping this will be the Phillies’ year, as they have shown off their strength with key hitters Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, and Nick Castellanos. The team also has star pitcher Zach Wheeler, who has set the tone for their domination throughout the season. Though their other pitcher Aaron Nola was up and down all season, he proved to show up when needed.
Harper is the current face of the franchise, and his leadership needs to guide the team on and off the field. His experience and ability to come through in clutch moments makes him a key player to look out for this postseason. If he is able to stay hot and energize his team, the Phillies should make fans happy.
Another impressive factor for the Fightin’ Phil’s is their bullpen. With strong relievers like Jeff Hoffman, Orion Kerkering, and Matt Strahm. The pitching has proved to be stable and reliable when needed at the end of tough games.
As they wait to see their NLDS opponent, Philadelphia fans might favor a match up with the Mets. While they are considered a rival, Philadelphia holds a slight edge this regular season – with a record of 7-6 against them. They know what’s needed to beat their New York nemesis.
Obviously the Phillies’ home field advantage is also in their favor. Citizens Bank Park has proven to be one of the most electric stadiums in the entire league, especially in October. The passionate fan base could be the deciding factor if the players need extra energy to finish the job.
Despite being favored, the postseason is always unpredictable. Both the Brewers and the Mets pose unique challenges. Milwaukee brings an impressive bullpen, while New York’s offense has strong firepower. If the Phillies can avoid small mistakes and stay strong defensively, fans in Philadelphia might be celebrating deep into autumn.