US EditionPhillies preview: Expectations are high, but will they be met?
- The Phillies, who are heading north for the regular season after wrapping up spring training on Monday, will open against the Nationals in Washington on Thursday.
- After winning 95 games and the NL East in 2024, the Phillies are looking to defend their title and reverse a postseason trend of diminishing success, despite other National League contenders improving.
- Key offseason moves included signing outfielder Max Kepler to replace Austin Hays, adding left-handed starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo in a trade with Miami, and bolstering the bullpen with Jordan Romano and Joe Ross, while losing Carlos Estevez and Jeff Hoffman.
- Despite a solid spring training, top pitching prospect Andrew Painter, recovering from Tommy John surgery 20 months ago, allowed six earned runs in 3.2 innings on March 19 against the Yankees, but is expected to contribute this summer, while reliever Matt Strahm suffered fingernail irritation while packing his daughter's toys, marking his second packing injury this spring.
- With a lineup featuring left-handed hitters like Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, and Bryson Stott, and the addition of Kepler, the Phillies will rely on a fluid batting order and hope to see a different performance from fifth starter Taijuan Walker, a $18 million a year man who struggled this spring, and for Jess Luzardo to stay healthy to elevate the starting rotation.
13 Articles
13 Articles
The Daily Gazette
Leader-TelegramIn Year 7 of the Bryce Harper era, the Phillies have one last chance to get it right with this core
PHILADELPHIA — Dave Dombrowski crisscrosses the country with a baseball team for six months — seven, if he’s lucky — and runs into fans of every stripe. His interactions with Detroit Tigers supporters usually go like this: “They’re always like,…
Meet the 10 year old boy throwing the first pitch at the Phillies home opener
A Phillies-themed pep rally at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware, on Wednesday showed how the patients and staff are ready to get the season cooking. “It’s really cool to see the kids and smiles on their faces and when that big green guy shows up everything is wonderful,” former Philly player and coach Milt Thompson said. It’s true that the big green guy, the Phanatic, always does bring the fun and makes everything wonderful. A…
The Reporter
‘Experts’ predict where the Phillies will finish
Before you know it, the cherry trees will drop their flowers, the Fourth of July will explode before our eyes and back-to-school shopping will commence. During all that, a very interesting season will play out for the Philadelphia Phillies. Will they live up to the high expectations of a late October run in the playoffs or fade like leaves on a sycamore tree? Here are predictions from staffers of the MediaNews Group. Rob Parent, Delaware County …
The Pottstown Mercury
The TrentonianPhillies preview: Expectations are high, but will they be met?
After two straight postseasons of diminishing success, what did the Phillies do in the offseason to reverse that trend? Well, not much. Or so it might seem. Phillies president Dave Dombrowski can trumpet the signings of outfielder Max Kepler and bullpen additions Jordan Romano and Joe Ross. But they are only replacements for lost free agents Austin Hays, Carlos Estevez and Jeff Hoffman, respectively. In that respect, consider the offseason work …
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- 55% of the sources lean Left
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