Tori Sheffer

A recap of the Phillies Series vs the Miami Marlins and where the boys can go from here.

The Phillies’ season started out as one of the best in franchise history, rivaling the 1991 Phillies. With the star-studded lineup, there is no weak link in the bolstered lineup, especially after acquiring Austin Hays from the Orioles. Dave Dombrowski has worked his magic all season long, trading with an Orioles team who always seems to want the Phillies seconds (Gregory Soto, Seranthony Dominguez, and Christian Pache just to name a few from this year).

The Phillies’ saving grace right now is their next few weeks of play. With the home stand off to a great start by taking two of three from the Marlins, they will now move on to a struggling Washington Nationals team. Seeing a perpetually exhausted Bryce Harper out there, along with the other handful of Phillies who were starters for the All-Star game, starting to find their footing again has allowed the offense overall to start getting hot once more. Having “Consistent Castellanos,” a heroic leadoff hitter in Schwarber, and Bryson Stott’s clutch hitting holding the offense until Turner, Harper, and Bohm could find their footing at the plate again was so helpful. Now that everyone is starting to pull their weight at the dish again, it can allow them to recushion their lead atop not just the NL East standings, but the overall MLB standings. As the team continues to gain momentum, the collective effort of the players is becoming more evident, and their synergy on the field is helping them secure crucial victories. The upcoming series against the Nationals provides an opportunity to further solidify their position and showcase their strength as a top contender in the MLB.

However, it should be noted that the start of the second half has been less than ideal for the Phillies who were literally creating history in the first-half of the season. Series loss after series loss, the Phils have been less fighting for the best record in the MLB, but instead fighting for their lives with a Braves lineup that is somehow still managing to stay dominant after losing a good portion of their starting nine and rotation to the IL at some point this season. The red-hot Mets have been right behind them, picking up pace in the Wild Card race, now having three NL East teams in contention for a playoff spot. With the competition heating up, the pressure on the Phillies to perform at their best is higher than ever. The team faces a challenging road ahead, with crucial matchups against tough opponents that will test their resilience and determination. As the season progresses, fans and analysts eagerly anticipate the twists and turns of the NL East race, wondering which team will emerge victorious and secure a coveted spot in the playoffs. The adversity faced by the Phillies only adds to the drama. It’s a defining moment for the team, as they strive to overcome obstacles and prove victorious at the end when they return to the Fall Classic for the third year in a row.