
3. The Phillies have too much competition in the NL East
Between the defending-champion Atlanta Braves and the spending-spree New York Mets, it’s hard to see the Phillies coming out on top in their division.
Furthermore, the Phillies have never clinched a Wild Card berth, neither in the old single-team format nor in its current one-game play-in form.
Now, if the Braves don’t re-sign Freddie Freeman and the Mets continue to inexplicably collapse despite all their upgrades, the Phillies might have some crazy luck and come out on top. Feels unrealistic, though.
Ultimately, the forces conspiring against the 2022 Phillies are internal and external, and the two are intertwined. If the Phillies had a stronger roster and farm system, they would look like stiffer competition for their division rivals. But because they are an incomplete team, they condemn themselves before “Play ball” is even said.