The 2025 regular season is quickly coming to a close. The Phillies locked up a second consecutive NL East crown on Monday, winning the division faster than any Phillies team before. The Phillies won a riveting back and forth affair in LA to clinch. 

Now it’s time to clinch a first round bye and potentially home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Brewers currently hold a 3 game lead in the loss column. Milwaukee finishes the year against the Cardinals, Padres, and Reds. They likely end up with the one seed, but the Phillies still have a shot at it. The more realistic scenario is going for the first round bye. We hold a 5.5 game lead over the Dodgers for the two seed. Barring a collapse in the last three series the Phillies should be able to lock up home field for the NLDS. 

Remaining ScheduleSept 19th: @DiamondbacksSept 20th: @DiamondbacksSept 21st: @DiamondbacksSept 23rd: vs. MarlinsSept 24th: vs. MarlinsSept 25th: vs. MarlinsSept 26th: vs. TwinsSept 27th: vs. TwinsSept 28th: vs. Twins

On my Managing Expectations article I predicted the ballclub to finish the season with 96 wins. Going 41-25 in the second half. They are currently 36-21 since the All Star break. We are right on schedule. The Phillies have been one of the best teams in baseball since the break. Phils have been bitten by the injury bug a little of late and it has not mattered. The lineup has become – plug and play – and the team is thriving. Marsh, Wilson, Marchan, and Kemp have all stepped up. Turner and Bohm went down and you barely notice the difference. This team is starting to have a similar feel to the 2017 Eagles next man up. The role players have really come into their own down the stretch. 

Looking Ahead

Are we peaking at the right time? The Phillies limped into the playoffs last season. This time they are playing their best baseball of the year. They may have gotten hot a little early, but with three series left you have to feel great about how the club is playing. 

The pitching has been phenomenal. Even when a starter gets tagged early, they have been able to keep the game within reach. This gives the best late scoring offense plenty of time to stage a comeback. Which they have done on multiple occasions, more recently against Milwaukee and LA.

The bullpen has also been solid. Duran brings stability to the end of the game, allowing Topper to use our relievers in the most efficient and effective way possible. Tanner Banks has settled into his role beautifully and Matt Strahm has been lights out. I would like to see Kerkering sharpen up into the playoffs, but he still has great stuff and can get anyone out in a big spot.

As the standings stand the Phillies would play the winner of the Mets-Dodgers series. The Brewers would play the winner of the Padres-Cubs series. You can talk all you want about trying to avoid the Dodgers or Mets or whoever. But honestly it doesn’t matter. You have to take the field and beat who is in front of you. Do what you can to get homefield and beat who you have to. Let’s go win a World Series.

Photo Credit: Bill Streicher/Imagn Images

Tags: Brandon Marsh Johan Duran Major League Baseball Otto Kemp Philadelphia Phillies

Categorized:Phillies