The best team in the MLB has had its highs and lows this season. As Philly sports fans can attest, it’s a constant balance between saying “we are so back,” immediately after saying, “it’s over.” 

After last year’s devastating and soul-crushing defeat against the Houston Astros, this season needed to be a great comeback for the Philadelphia Phillies. However, the start of the season seemed rough. With Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins out, there was a hole left open at first base that was never successfully filled. And of course, the 11-year, $300-million signing of shortstop Trea Turner after his “heroic” World Classic baseball run was an initial letdown, as he played possibly the worst in his career. Younger clubhouse members and buddies, like Brandon Marsh, Alec Bohm, and heartthrob Bryson Stott, were practically holding the team together while being paid pennies compared to the team’s all-star lineup. Pitching was certainly in a rough spot, with neither Zack Wheeler nor Aaron Nola playing their best. However, right-fielder Nick Castellanos stayed hot for the entire first half of the season, getting to play the All Star game at the break alongside reliever Craig Kimbrel who helped carry the team in late innings.

We began to see the team pull together during the midseason, and the Phillies fought back towards the top of the Wild Card positions. Harper, who just recently joined the 300 home run club, had the quickest Tommy John’s surgery recovery in MLB history and became a designated hitter, and he later moved to first base (recall him falling into the camera well after making an excellent catch), which solved the initial problem of having a strong first baseman. This moved Kyle Schwarber to designated hitter and out of left field, which was great because he is one of the worst outfielders in the MLB right now, evident in his many errors and slowness. Schwarberfest made the man come alive in June, then into August where he continued to hit homers, bringing him to now 41 total, giving him more home runs than singles, which is a truly horrible fact. He also hits below a .240 average at .195, which is the lowest average in the league. Michael Lorenzen was an exciting addition to the team, as he threw a no-hitter at his first ever home game, and his now-iconic white Vans will be placed in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Turner had an incredible comeback, thanks to the best fans in the world, and he now sits at a .265 batting average. After getting booed at every bat, Delco legend Philly Captain asked his social media fans to give Turner standing ovations each time he bats. After these standing ovations in July, his performance had a complete turnaround, making him debatably the most valuable player on the team and highest-earning player of the week in the National League in August. By the end of August, the Phillies hit a season high with 14 games over .500, with the most ever home runs hit in one month in franchise history.

The Phillies stayed hot for almost all of the summer. At the time of writing, they currently sit at +5 games over in the National League, with the Cubs behind them at +3.5. Their next opponents are the Marlins, Braves, Cardinals, Mets, and the Pirates. The only real contenders from that list are Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves. Despite their stats, the Phillies have been so fun to watch this season. Their team chemistry is evident. Marsh and Stott have become the “Wet Bandits” because they dump water on their teammates during post-game interviews. And while pitcher José Alvarado was injured, he made necklaces for his teammates, which they wear during games. Now it is looking good for the Phillies with regard to Wildcard standings, and Red October seems imminent. But as any Philly fan knows: tread with caution.