The Philadelphia Phillies are uber-talented with a roster full of All-Stars. That's what makes this 2025 team so maddening 82 games into the season. They took two of three games against the New York Mets last weekend to reclaim first place in the NL East, then followed it up with one of the most lifeless series you'll ever see in their sweep at the hands of the Houston Astros.
These swings are to be expected with any MLB team over the course of the six-month season. As we cross the halfway point of the season, Phillies fans should be concerned with their team for a number of reasons.
3 causes for concern for Phillies fans halfway through the 2025 season
1. Offense is far too streaky
If this current Phillies core fails to win the World Series, the streakiness of their offense is what they'll be remembered for. That was painfully evident in the Astros' three-game sweep of the Phillies in which the offense mustered just one total run, which broke a 26-inning scoreless drought, their longest since 2018. Somehow, this sleepwalking performance came just days after they plated 21 runs in the Mets series.
Even worse, every Phillies starting pitcher in the series twirled a quality start, putting the team in some unwanted company, per MLB.com's Paul Casella.
The Phillies are just the 10th team to be swept despite allowing no more than 5 runs in the entire series. The others:
— Paul Casella (@Paul_CasellaMLB) June 26, 2025
- 2014 Twins
- 2000 D-backs
- 1992 Dodgers
- 1991 Brewers
- 1972 White Sox
- 1966 Reds
- 1913 A's
- 1913 Brooklyn Dodgers
- 1909 St. Louis Browns
They'll win enough games to reach the postseason thanks largely to the best rotation in the league. However, we've seen time and time again their big-money offense fizzle out when it matters most, preventing them from capturing a world championship. But hey, at least many Philadelphia fans are still riding the high of the Eagles' Super Bowl championship.
2. Bullpen cannot be trusted
This is an obvious concern about the Phillies that has also existed for the past few seasons. Last season, the team's bullpen was one of the more dependable groups in the league, with two All-Stars in Jeff Hoffman and Matt Strahm. That was until they imploded when they were needed the most in the NLDS, much like the lifeless offense. The bullpen as a collective has posted a bottom-10 ERA and has been shaky at best.
Rob Thomson has been managing with a closer by committee approach with Strahm, Jordan Romano and Orion Kerkering, though it appears like Kerkering has earned the closer role for now, at least. That is, until they upgrade the 'pen at the upcoming trade deadline with preferably a few arms. Thankfully for the Phillies, their fantastic rotation is full of workhorses who routinely pitch deep into games and limit the number of innings out of the bullpen.
3. Bryce Harper's wrist
The Phillies have been without superstar first baseman Bryce Harper since June 7, when he was placed on the IL with inflammation in his right wrist. Without Harper, the team is 11-13 and his absence in the lineup is as evident as it's ever been. In his Phillies tenure that has officially reached its halfway point as of the series finale in Houston, Harper has been placed on the IL five separate times. He has not played a fully healthy season since 2020, although a few of his injuries were just dumb luck. That's concerning for the franchise's leader, who will turn 33 years old later this year.
Harper could return to action as soon as next week, although there's still not an official timetable. It would be difficult for the Phillies to make any deep run into October without Harper, as evidenced by his reputation for being one of the best playoff performers in franchise history. Harper has been performing slightly below what's expected from a star of his caliber this season, slashing .258/.368/.446. Hopefully a little rest causes Harper to improve his production because the Phillies need it now more than ever.