NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
When was the last time the Philadelphia Phillies won the NL East? Without looking up the stats, some may think just a season or two ago with their advancement in the postseason. Hell, you may think back to last season. But no. The last time the Phillies won their division was in 2011. Damn, that was a long ass time ago when you think of their current success. But it’s true.
The NL East has belonged to the Atlanta Braves dating back to 2018. They have won 6 straight division titles and have done so in a commanding fashion. Each year they have won with an average of 10 games or more. That’s pure dominant fashion there. The Braves have been that good. But then the Phillies have played Little Brother to them in the regular season and then Big Brother spoiler to them the last 2 postseasons. But things may be changing.
The Phillies currently hold a 7-game lead over the Braves in the NL East. While there is still plenty of baseball left to play, looking at their rosters, does anyone see a collapse coming? There is always hope for the Braves as both teams will have to face off in head-to-head meetings still. Maybe the Braves will get hot and the Phillies will cool down. It has happened before.
Will The Philadelphia Phillies Win The NL East
For fans of the Braves, it’s easy to throw out injuries. Star player Ronald Acuna Jr is out but the Phillies were hit with injuries as well to Trae Turner and JT Realmuto. So that’s an argument that’s over as soon as it begins. The Phillies at the moment are just the better team. No excuses are to be made. When the Braves were running away with the division for the last few years it was all being attributed to their talent and now that they’re not, excuses are being made.
Division titles are a mark of a good regular season, but what if the tables are turned around this year? Meaning, the Philadelphia Phillies walk away with the title only to be upset in the postseason by the same Braves team? In no way am I implying the Phillies should give the division away for fear of repeating what the Braves have endured the last two seasons. However, they cannot afford to take their foot off the gas knowing that this Braves team is still a dangerous one. The goal is to win as many games as you can and enter the postseason as a hot team.
What the Phillies and Braves must take into account is that the New York Mets and the Washington Nationals are just less than 6 games back of the 2nd place Braves despite their inconsistent play. So, the NL East is far from over. The Braves and Phillies are still set to face off 9 more times before the regular season ends. There is still enough time for the Braves to make a move and to see if the Phillies are a team that can play under pressure.
Despite their postseason success, they have done so from a Wild Card position, not one of a leadership role. This season is different. Can the Philadelphia Phillies play with the same moxy the Braves have over the last 6 years? It’s easy to be the hunter but can you win while being the hunted?
