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What do the Phillies need to do in 2018 to get a wild card?

By Kerry Kauffman |
SAN DIEGO, CA - AUGUST 14: Rhys Hoskins #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a solo home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on August 14, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - AUGUST 14: Rhys Hoskins #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a solo home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on August 14, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
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The Phillies continue the rebuilding process following a 66-win season. Several things need to happen for the team to contend for a wild card berth in 2018.

With a new year comes new goals, dreams and questions to ponder. Much will have changed with the Phillies from manager down to the roster come opening day 2018. What needs to happen for the Phillies to turn things around quickly and contend for a wild card berth next season?

PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 29: Jorge Alfaro #38 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with Odubel Herrera #37 after hitting a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on September 29, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Mets 6-2. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 29: Jorge Alfaro #38 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with Odubel Herrera #37 after hitting a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on September 29, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Mets 6-2. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Improved overall team hitting

The Phillies had a new hitting coach last season in Matt Stairs, who was lured away from the broadcast booth for his first major-league coaching position. The Phillies scored just 690 runs, (27th in the league) and also ranked near the bottom in OPS.

Stairs has moved on and a new hitting coach is in place. Will this affect the team in a positive manner? Manager Gabe Kapler’s approach to hitting is working the count, which should translate to higher batting average, on-base percentage and more. The key is to whether the young players on this team respond.  In any event, the Phillies must score significantly more runs to have a chance to contend.

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More consistent back end of bullpen

Hector Neris saved 26 games last season for the Phillies, but he lost five and was far too inconsistent. Joaquin Benoit had 14 holds, but had four losses and a 4.07 ERA before being traded to the Pirates. Luis Garcia was solid with 13 holds and a 2.65 ERA and could possibly be looked at as a closer.

The return of Pat Neshek, who had a 1.12 ERA in 43 games for the Phillies last season before being traded, should help solidify the back end of the bullpen. While this isn’t the worst area of the team, it’s difficult to make a serious push without a reliable closer.

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Improved starting pitching

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Starting pitching was perhaps the weakest part of the 2017 Phillies. The only starter with an ERA under four was Aaron Nola, who went 12-11 with a 3.54 ERA. He’s quite capable, but not an ace or on a good staff.

Ben Lively showed potential late in the season, but finished 4-7 with a 4.26 ERA. Jerad Eickhoff had an ERA near five, while Nick Pivetta and Zach Eflin had ERA’s above six.

While improvement among the current staff is possible, landing a starting pitcher through a trade or free agency is a must to bolster this weak area of the club.

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Top production from Carlos Santana and Rhys Hoskins

The recent signing of Carlos Santana should certainly help the middle of the lineup. Santana hit 23 home runs last season and a career-high 34 in 2016. Should he hit in front of Rhys Hoskins, Santana should get plenty of pitches to hit.

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Hoskins hit 18 home runs in just 50 games, but hit only .227 over the final 28 games, but still managed 7 home runs during that stretch. Should Hoskins hit in front of Santana, he needs to take advantage of the better pitches he’s likely to see.

The Phillies need Hoskins to adjust to the adjustments pitchers are bound to make towards him.  A production of 65 to 70 home runs combine between Hoskins and Santana would go a long way in propelling the team into playoff contention.

MARYVALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 26: Gabe Kapler #33 poses for a photo during the Milwaukee Brewers Spring Training Photo Day at Maryvale Baseball Park on February 26, 2008 in Maryvale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
MARYVALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 26: Gabe Kapler #33 poses for a photo during the Milwaukee Brewers Spring Training Photo Day at Maryvale Baseball Park on February 26, 2008 in Maryvale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

Gabe Kapler must prove he is a capable Major League manager

If the team with the most physically fit manager wins the World Series, then the Phillies are shoo-ins in 2018. Kapler looks like a strength and conditioning coach with his chiseled physique. As a player, Kapler most the most of his career as a 57th round pick. Playing parts of 12 seasons with six teams, he hit .268 with 82 home runs, 386 RBI and a .749 OPS. Having last worked in the majors as Director of Player Development for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Kapler has no managerial experience. He has has overhauled the coaching staff and with an undeniably quirky approach, it will be paramount that the players buy into Kapler’s system.

Next: 2018 or bust for Maikel Franco

The Kapler signing could turn out to be genius or a complete disaster. Only time will tell.

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