Six Phillies takes after first half dozen games of season

2. The Phillies bullpen will allow the team to compete.

Last season, it was difficult for fans to even get excited about a lead in the early innings of a game. The bullpen consistently conceded leads in backbreaking losses, posting a 7.06 ERA on the season and preventing any realistic assessments of the Phillies as a contender.

The Phillies are a more complete team in 2021, given the revamped bullpen. Led by Hector Neris and Jose Alvarado at the back end, the bullpen picked up the starters after the previously mentioned seventh-inning home runs on Thursday and Sunday. They shut out the Braves in both games on the way to two victories.

The most encouraging game for the bullpen was Wednesday against the Mets. They threw five innings, allowing only one earned run in relief of their ace in the type of game that would’ve been a sure loss in 2020.

Connor Brogdon, a 26-year-old righty, has posted a 3-0 record without allowing a run. He is proving to be a formidable option in middle relief, along with newcomers Archie Bradley, Sam Coonrod, and Brandon Kintzler.

3. The Phillies offense is a ‘sleeping giant.’

The offense was quiet in the opening series, scoring only nine runs in three games. They did make Atlanta’s pitchers work, as each of the three starters exited after only five innings. Timely hitting from Alec Bohm, Zack Wheeler, and Jean Segura gave them just enough offense to win.

Progression through the Mets series culminated in an eight-run explosion on Wednesday. Rhys Hoskins, Bohm, and J.T. Realmuto each homered to help the Phillies build a daunting lead early.

The Phillies lineup boasts proven major league hitters who are due for more outbursts in the coming weeks.

4. Citizens Bank Park is fun again.

Citizens Bank Park finally has more fans than just the Phandemic Krew watching games from outside the center field gates. The crowds undoubtedly have been a factor, providing the Phillies energy and confidence during the first week of the season.

The Opening Day capacity has already been expanded by a few thousand, and hopes for gradual progress toward full capacity are finally feeling realistic. Hopefully, as more vaccines roll out, the “curve” is lessened even more and life can return back to normal sooner than later.

5. The CF competition wasn’t an overplayed storyline during spring training.

Former first-round pick Adam Haseley has posted a modest .286 batting average through the first six games, but he has never proven himself to be more than an average major league player.

Roman Quinn has gone hitless so far this season. He must be competent at the plate for his baserunning and defense to be valued and warrant a 26-man roster spot.

Expect to see this storyline persist in conversations surrounding the team this season — with current alternate training site players Odubel Herrera and Scott Kingery vying for playing time.

6. Defensive has highs and lows

The Phillies don’t have a reputation around the MLB as a top defensive team. Moving forward, they will look for improvement from Haseley and Rhys Hoskins, in particular.

However, timely plays when things are going well can drastically help a team’s morale. On Opening Day, Quinn and J.T. Realmuto teamed up for superb execution to prevent the go-ahead run from scoring in extra innings. Alec Bohm and Didi Gregorius also made highlight-reel plays.