NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Philadelphia Phillies are in a great position to make the 2023 Postseason. Currently leading the NL Wild Card Race, it’s almost certain they’re destined for another run at the World Series. But this is still the MLB where anything can and will happen.
Now is the time for the Phillies to lay it all on the line. As they say in the betting world, “Let it ride.” The reason this is important for the Phillies is that despite that lead, their remaining September schedule to end the regular season is a rough patch. They will battle the Milwaukee Brewers who are poised for the postseason. They will face the New York Mets who look to play spoiler. They will also go against their in-state rival, the Pittsburgh Pirates who still have a small outside chance.
For the Phillies, it’s all about keeping their head in the game and their foot on the gas. For the rest of the National League, no one wants to see the Philadelphia Phillies.
While all the praise has gone to the Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers as usual, neither team made it to the NL Championship last year. The Phillies knocked the Braves out and the Dodgers choked as usual. When it comes down to it, regular season records don’t mean anything, and truth be told, the Phillies are the reigning NL Champs until someone beats them.
Will The Philadelphia Phillies Make The Playoffs
Just like last season, it’s all about getting hot at the right time. The Phillies relied on solid pitching and clutch hitting for their World Series run. This season, things started off wrong but they have picked it up over the last 2 months. They’ve started to resemble the team that made a deep postseason run. And once again, the talk is still the Braves and Dodgers. Why do analysts keep forgetting the Philadelphia Phillies?
In order for this to happen again, Rob Thompson must make sure his team keeps their focus on where it should be.
The MLB season is a marathon and it’s easy to get sidetracked. It’s easy to lose a game and by the time you think you have it figured out, you’re in the midst of a 5-game losing streak. No, the Phillies cannot afford this. Their lead in the Wild Card can easily be erased. Teams are gunning for them and that spot in the Playoffs is not guaranteed.
The pitching has rounded into form with Taijuan Walker, Zach Wheeler, and Aaron Nola. The hitting has hit its stride with the late-season heroics of Trea Turner and Bryce Harper, and the young guys are stepping into their roles and providing great defense. And Thompson has been the guy to have his players where they need to be.
This Phillies team may be better than last season’s and that should have the rest of the NL shaken. Resting major players is not what the Philadelphia Phillies have in mind. With a slim lead and teams like the Miami Marlins, Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Chicago Cubs still on their heels, the players are putting it all on the line.
