The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over again and expecting different results. People seem to do this whenever they decide to doubt the Philadelphia Phillies. This is despite them having a battle-tested lineup and top-of-the-line starting rotation arms. It’s kind of strange to be doubting a team that has gone to the postseason in the last three consecutive seasons. Currently, the Phillies are in first place in the NL East over the heavily favored New York Mets. With the team hungry to follow up on the Philadelphia Eagles’ championship triumph, nobody should doubt the Phillies.

When Will People Learn To Not Count Out The Phillies? Embed from Getty Images

It seems like when every season comes around, people love to count out the Philadelphia Phillies. Heading into the regular season, many people picked either the Braves or the Mets to win the division. Some even said the Phillies would completely miss the postseason! This is despite them having an experienced lineup and a top-of-the-line starting rotation. The “Fightin Phils” might actually be enjoying it when the prognosticators count them out. It has seemingly helped them go to the postseason three years in a row.  As it currently stands, the Phillies are in first place in the NL East ahead of the Mets and the Braves, who won’t be playing baseball in October.

An Offense Built To Bash Embed from Getty Images

Led by Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, and Nick Castellanos, Philadelphia’s offense is once again built to bash. The Phillies are currently averaging 4.72 runs per game. The only teams averaging more runs per game than Philadelphia are the Cubs, Dodgers, Brewers, and Diamondbacks. They are also inside the top five in home runs with 135 this season. With Alec Bohm coming off the injured list soon and the addition of Harrison Bader at the trade deadline, the Phillies’ offense is going to be even more explosive.

One Of The National League’s Best Starting Rotations Embed from Getty Images

Led by Cy Young candidate Zack Wheeler, Ranger Suarez, and controversial all-star snub Cristopher Sanchez, Philadelphia’s starting rotation is once again one of the best in the National League. As a team, Philadelphia leads the National League in WAR, strikeouts per nine innings, and they have the best strikeout to walk ratio as well. They are also ranked inside the top five in the National League in starting rotation ERA as well. Arguably, the most impressive thing about their season is that they’ve done it without Aaron Nola for most of the year. If Nola can get back to form when he returns, the Phillies’ starting rotation could be that much more lethal.

The Bullpen Is Now In A Better Place Embed from Getty Images

While Tanner Banks, Orion Kerkering, and Matt Strahm have been reliable relievers, the rest of the Phillies bullpen leaves much to be desired. It didn’t help that closer Jose Alvarado got suspended for 80 games due to violating MLB’s performance-enhancing drug policy. Alvarado’s suspension put the team in a bind at closer. Strahm, Kerkering, and former all-star Jordan Romano all had opportunities to lock down the role. However, none of them proved to be the answer; all three relievers combined to blow nine saves.

Fortunately for the Philadelphia faithful, President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski didn’t waste any time fixing the Phillies’ ninth-inning woes. At the trade deadline, he went shopping at the Minnesota Twins yard sale and acquired fireballer closer Jhoan Duran. Since Duran put on the red and white pinstripes, Duran has converted both his save opportunities. With the stability that Duran has seemingly brought to the closer spot, it’s a bad idea to give the Phillies a lead at the end of a game.

The Phillies Love Proving People Wrong Embed from Getty Images

While National League contenders like the Dodgers, Mets, and Cubs are getting the headlines, the Phillies have seemingly flown under the radar. It’s a bad idea to forget about Philadelphia, given that this team knows how to win when it matters. Philadelphia has an explosive offense, one of the National League’s best starting rotations, and a much deeper bullpen after the trade deadline. With the team and city hungry for another parade down Broad Street, the rest of the National League shouldn’t keep brushing off “Fightin Phils” heading into the postseason. The Phillies have proven the prognosticators wrong before and they’d love to do it again.

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