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