The Philadelphia Phillies turned out to be the surprise package of the 2022 MLB season. After going 21-29, a switch in manager from Joe Girardi to Rob Thomson quickly saw the Phillies’ fortunes turn around. The rejuvenated Fightin’ Phils surged up the standings, clinched a postseason spot in their final series, and then went further.
Being such a dominant force, the Houston Astros were favored to win the World Series from the outset, but the Phillies going on such a hot streak and making it to the Fall Classic could have thrown a spanner in the works. The upstart club made it to Game 6, but the power of the Astros won out in the end.
Now, the Citizens Bank Park residents look to capitalize on their first World Series showing since 2009, going big in the offseason to re-tool and improve. Despite their efforts, the experts don’t see the Phillies as a major World Series threat in 2023.
2023 seen as a fluke for the Phillies
Opening Day isn’t until 30 March, and yet it’s clear that the Phillies haven’t convinced the experts that their incredible run to the World Series wasn’t a fluke. Among the best MLB betting sites, where baseball bettors can claim offers like ‘bet $20, win $200,’ the Phillies aren’t even among the top seven in the odds.
The Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers are the frontrunners at 6/1, the New York Mets are just behind at 7/1, and then there are the New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Toronto Blue Jays, and San Diego Padres, ranging from 8/1 to 10/10. Only one of those sides went further than the Phillies last season.
So, anyone thinking that the Phillies have built a strong team and will only improve in a full season under Thomson’s watch will find their 16/1 odds of winning the World Series quite appealing. Even with the odds like this, one of the top baseball betting sites, BetMGM, has the Phillies fourth in their power rankings, but the MLB’s early 2023 rankings have Philadelphia out in tied-sixth.
What could be holding the Phillies back?
By all accounts, the Phillies have been among the winners of the offseason so far, making key moves that would appear to improve the team overall. They’re brought in Gregory Soto, Kody Clemens, and Yunior Marte through trades, as well as Craig Kimbrel, Trea Turner, Matt Strahm, and Taijuan Walker off of the free agency.
It’s now said that the Phillies’ bullpen fastball velocity, on average, could well be the fastest in the league next season. The average fastball velocity between those likely to feature as the eight-man bullpen on Opening Day combined to average 96.8 mph last season. That makes for quite the scary corps for any hitter to face.
Still, there will be question marks surrounding the manager. He came in as an interim manager, quickly rallied the team, and rode a lot of momentum to the postseason. Does Thomson have what it takes to pull this group of players through a whole season of highs and lows?
Most would think so, but sophomore seasons for managers who come in during the previous season can be very hit-and-miss, and now there are also many new faces to work into the mix. Of course, his most pressing concern is that the team will be without stud Bryce Harper until at least July.
After undergoing surgery, Harper will miss up to the All-Star game. With it being Tommy John surgery, though, most don’t expect to see Harper back as a designated hitter until after the 11 July event. He’s a huge loss, but bringing in Turner should help to bridge the Phillies until his return.
The Phillies defied the odds to make it to the postseason after their start in 2022 and went all of the way to the Big Show. While many doubt that they can repeat the feat, the team looks stronger on paper – once Harper returns – and should be in contention in 2023.