The Philadelphia Phillies are hoping this is the year they will finally bring home a World Series championship that has eluded them the last three seasons.
In 2022, the Phillies made a surprising run to the World Series after clinching a playoff spot in the final week of the regular season. They made it all the way to Game 6 before the Houston Astros clinched the crown.
In 2023, a second consecutive World Series appearance was in sight. They were up 2-0 and then 3-2 on the Arizona Diamondbacks before returning home, where it turned into a nightmare. The offense vanished in Games 6 and 7, scoring just three runs as the Diamondbacks advanced to the World Series.
In 2024, the Phillies captured the National League East for the first time since 2011 as they won 95 games. But the offense disappeared once again, as they were dispatched by division-rival New York Mets in the NLDS in four games.
The Phillies are essentially running back the same lineup — Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, Nick Castellanos, J.T. Realmuto, Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh. The only offensive addition the Phillies made in the offseason was signing left-handed-hitting outfielder Max Kepler, who is looking to bounce back after hitting just eight home runs with the Minnesota Twins in 2024.
With the core getting a year older and Schwarber and Realmuto free agents after the season, this could be the last time this group can make a postseason run.
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In a lineup filled with All-Stars, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan believes the season will hinge on Realmuto, who was limited to 99 games after missing more than a month of the season due to right knee surgery. It was the first time Realmuto hadn’t caught at least 100 games in a full season.
“Nobody embodies the Phillies’ current state of affairs better than their soon-to-be 34-year-old catcher. Philadelphia is a team of players reaching the point in their careers where age does its thing. Zack Wheeler is 34, Bryce Harper is 32, Kyle Schwarber is 32, and Trea Turner and Aaron Nola turn 32 in June,” wrote Passan.
He continued: “When the Phillies made the World Series in 2022, Realmuto put up more than 6.5 WAR, seventh in baseball. As Realmuto settled into the three-win range over the past two years, the Phillies faltered. For the best version of the Phillies to show up, they need the same from Realmuto.”
Realmuto has seen his OPS and home run total decrease in the last three seasons. The Phillies are looking to get Realmuto off his feet more in 2025 as they hope it will keep him fresher throughout the season.
If Realmuto is able to channel his 2022 season — and the rest of the team lives up to their potential — the Phillies could finally capture their first World Series championship since 2008.
