4 biggest 'what-ifs' that determined the Phillies' fate in 2025

The Philadelphia Phillies fans and organization can only ask "what if" certain things had occurred differently following another season that fell short of their ultimate goal of winning a World Series. They lost earlier than anticipated in the playoffs, their second consecutive year losing in the NLDS.

What could have gone differently for Philadelphia in 2025? The team overcame challenges and finished the regular season with 96 wins and another NL East title. While they played better in the second half compared to last season, they were unsuccessful in the playoffs.

If a team doesn't win a championship, the season is compiled of what-if scenarios. The Phillies have had several of them over the last few years. Until spring training begins next February, fans and the organization will wonder what if when thinking about what went wrong this year.

4 biggest 'what-ifs' that determined the Phillies' fate in 2025

What if the Phillies didn't suffer as many late-season injuries to key players?

Any team can deal with several players out at the wrong time. Starting pitcher Zack Wheeler needed season-ending thoracic outlet surgery for a blood clot injury he sustained in August. Trea Turner suffered a hamstring strain that kept him out for most of September.

José Alvarado, who would have been ineligible for the postseason due to a suspension, injured his left forearm in September. If he had not been suspended, would he have been back in time for the start of the playoffs or even gotten injured? His absence affected the Phillies' bullpen against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Harrison Bader, who emerged as one of the Phillies' best players when Turner was on the IL, injured his groin during Game 1 of the NLDS. He was only available as a pinch-hitter for the remainder of the series. Philadelphia missed his presence for the rest of the series.

What if Aaron Nola and Jordan Romano didn't have bad seasons?

Aaron Nola got off to another rough start. He had his first injury-plagued year since 2017, excluding the shortened 2020 season. In 2018 and 2019, and from 2021 through 2024, Nola made between 32 and 34 starts each year.

Nola only appeared in 17 starts after missing three months with a right ankle sprain and a stress fracture in his ribs. He finished with a 6.01 ERA, the highest of his 11 seasons. Manager Rob Thomson used him in a brief outing in Game 3 of the NLDS, as he pitched the first two innings before Ranger Suárez entered in relief.

While a healthy Nola would not have been enough for the Phillies to beat the Dodgers, his uncharacteristically tough year impacted the regular season. Even though they needed to win Game 3, his season also changed how Thomson used him in the playoffs.

The Phillies counted on Jordan Romano to be a key late-inning reliever. It did not work out how they anticipated. Thomson began using him earlier in games as the season progressed as the right-hander struggled to an 8.23 ERA in 49 games.

Romano's season ended after he suffered right middle finger inflammation at the end of August that turned into a nerve issue. Even if he had been healthy, he may not have been used in the playoffs or made the roster because of his terrible season.

What if the top of the Phillies' lineup actually performed in the NLDS?

Both the Phillies and Dodgers had excellent starting pitching performances throughout the NLDS. However, Philadelphia lost the series. Turner (4-for-17), Kyle Schwarber (3-for-16) and Bryce Harper (3-for-15) did not have as good a series as anticipated.

In the team's three losses, Turner, Schwarber and Harper went a combined 3-for-35 with 15 strikeouts. The top of the lineup could have made a difference for the Phillies if they had been even just a little bit better offensively.

While the onus of the series loss is not solely on those three, they played a significant part in it, as they are supposed to be the three best offensive players.

What if certain key mistakes had been avoided in the NLDS?

The Phillies made decisions at certain moments of their three losses in the NLDS that played a part in why they lost the series to the Dodgers.

What if Turner's throw that allowed Teoscar Hernández to score the Dodgers' first run of Game 2 was more on target to J.T. Realmuto? The catcher had to reach to his right to secure the throw and then attempt to tag Hernández to his left.

Thomson's decision to have Bryson Stott bunt in the ninth inning of Game 2 led to the potential tying run, Nick Castellanos, getting thrown out at third base. Bader followed with a pinch-hit single, which would have scored Castellanos. If Stott and Bader both get hits, perhaps the Phillies end up winning Game 2?

Home plate umpire Mark Wegner made a big mistake in Game 4. He called a Cristopher Sánchez pitch a ball instead of a strike in the bottom of the seventh, as he later admitted to J.T. Realmuto and Sánchez. If Wegner had made the right call, the Phillies may have gotten out of the inning without allowing a run. As it was, Alex Call walked instead of striking out. He ended up scoring the tying run.

What if Thomson decided to let Jhoan Duran pitch to Shohei Ohtani instead of intentionally walking him? While Ohtani, a left-handed hitter, had a favorable matchup against the right-hander, the Dodgers phenom struggled offensively in the NLDS. He went 1-for-18 in the series. The Phillies manager took a chance in intentionally putting Ohtani on base, and it didn't pay off. Thomson's decision ended up loading the bases, and Duran walked Mookie Betts, allowing Call to score.

Orion Kerkering's crucial decision to throw home instead of to first base in the 11th inning of Game 4 allowed the Dodgers to score the winning run and end the series. While there is no guarantee the Phillies would have won Game 4 if Kerkering had thrown to first base, they would have gotten out of the inning.