How Will Philadelphia Phillies Navigate Tough Schedule Ahead?
In this story:
The Philadelphia Phillies had so much to feel good about at the conclusion of the four-game series against the Colorado Rockies.
The Phillies took three of four and won all three weekend games.
They popped seven home runs during those three wins. The bullpen was terrific. They were fundamentally sound.
But it also came against the Rockies, one of the worst teams in Major League Baseball.
You can only beat the teams on the schedule. That’s true.
In the unforgiving 162-game marathon of a regular season, the Phillies now host the Seattle Mariners for three before heading for a World Series rematch on the road against the Houston Astros.
Then comes a three-game rad trip against the Los Angeles Dodgers to open May.
Oh yeah, then the Boston Red Sox come to Citizens Bank Park for three games followed by two against the Toronto Blue Jays.
It won’t take long for the defending National League champion Phillies to see where they stand.
Will they elevate their level of play or will they struggle?
At least they gained confidence against the Rockies. That will help immensely.
And there are rumblings hat Bryce Harper could make a miraculously quick return from Tommy John surgery sometime in May.
If the Phillies can simply win each series, they’ll be in great shape.
The Phillies have enough veteran players to stay upbeat even if things don’t go their way.
For them to be successful, Aaron Nola must start pitching like did for much of last season. They need Taijuan Walker to be more consistent. While homers are great, the Phillies need to manufacture runs as well. They’re going to face terrific pitchers and the home run ball won’t always work.
With all the adversity and injuries, the Phillies begin play Tuesday just one game below .500.
The next stretch of games will tell us all quite a bit.
More From SI's Inside The Phillies:
- Phillies Star Bryce Harper Doesn't Hold Back on Thoughts About Joe Girardi
- How Mike Trout Will Join the Phillies
- Could Bryce Harper's Favorite MLB Player Join the Philadelphia Phillies in 2023?
- Could The Phillies Soon Be Playing in Wawa Park?
- Bryce Harper-Obsessed Japanese Baseball Star Wants to Play for Phillies
- Six Philadelphia Phillies Declare Free Agency
- Rumored Phillies Free Agent Target Just Opted Out of Contract
- Jimmy Rollins Describes Disrespectful Treatment by Ryne Sandberg
- Phillies Release 2023 Regular Season Schedule
- Picking the Phillies' All-Time Single Season Lineup
Make sure to follow Inside the Phillies on Substack and Twitter!
