Phillies Rebound From 9-19 Start to Hold 2nd in NL East as Offseason Moves Face Scrutiny
Updated
Updated · The Good Phight · Jun 28
Phillies Rebound From 9-19 Start to Hold 2nd in NL East as Offseason Moves Face Scrutiny
1 articles · Updated · The Good Phight · Jun 28
Summary
Second-place Philadelphia has climbed back into the NL East race despite a 9-19 opening, leaving it within reach of Atlanta before the All-Star break.
Three offseason priorities—keeping Kyle Schwarber, fixing the outfield and deepening the pitching staff—have produced mixed returns, with only Schwarber’s retention clearly paying off so far.
The roster has already been reshaped by Rob Thomson’s April firing, Zack Wheeler’s early return and Derick Hill’s recent arrival, while Adolis Garcia suffered a season-ending injury and Taijuan Walker was released.
Questions still center on a matchup-based outfield, no clear fifth starter and a bullpen viewed as shaky behind Jhoan Duran, even as J.T. Realmuto and Brad Keller have also missed time.
That leaves Philadelphia in a paradoxical spot: still in playoff position and chasing a third straight division title, but with renewed debate over whether the winter plan did enough.