Baseball is back. After nearly five long months of free agency and trades, spring training is over, and opening day has come and passed, starting the 150th season of Major League Baseball.
The Philadelphia Phillies have been playing baseball in the City of Brotherly Love since 1883, the oldest team name-city matchup in the league.
As of late, the Phillies have been postseason contenders, reaching the World Series in 2022, and making the postseason every season since. This year, however, the Phillies have started off slow.
The Fightins’ won their opening day matchup against the Texas Rangers, in a 5-3 contest. They then lost two in a row to Texas, and their third loss in a row came against their division rivals, the Washington Nationals, in a 13-2 blowout. The Phils then snatched a win out of the jaws of defeat the next day, beating the Nats 3-2.
It’s no understatement that it’s been a rough start for the Phillies. As of April 1st before their last game against the Nationals, here are their “superstars’” stats so far.
Trea Turner – .182 AVG, 4-22, 5 SO
Bryce Harper – .100 AVG, 2-20, 4 SO
Kyle Schwarber – .158 AVG, 3-19, 9 SO (leads team in Home Runs – 2)
Turner expressed strong confidence in the roster’s potential to win the World Series, noting the team has all necessary pieces and needs to execute at the end of the year.
Team manager Rob Thompson stated his confidence level is “very high” and that the team is highly motivated, though admitted he still hasn’t completely gotten over the previous season’s early exit.
Sources within the team indicated that the 2026 team is seen as an “aging bunch,” which might hinder them but not necessarily stop them from competing for a championship.
The Phillies had one of their best seasons in recent memory last year, and hope to repeat their successes again this season, even with the lethargic offensive abilities that the team has shown through five games.
The bats have started to slow for the Phils, and it’s not looking great. They hope to rally back to win the series later today and get back on track on the road in Colorado next.
