The 2025 Philadelphia Phillies will be remembered for how they perform after the season's All-Star break. This is the club's highest-stakes second half in years, with a crucial trade deadline looming amid contract uncertainties with several star free agents. Last year down the stretch, they limped to a 33-33 record post-All-Star break but still won the NL East.
They must play better than .500 ball in this year's second half if they want to repeat as division champs for the first time since 2011. Philadelphia entered the mid-season break at 55-41 and just a half-game ahead of the New York Mets for first place. They're coming off the heels of a 2-4 West Coast trip that saw their place among the league's best drop slightly, according to MLB.com.
Phillies fall several spots in MLB's post-All-Star break power rankings
In MLB.com's first power rankings after the Midsummer Classic, the Phillies have fallen three spots, down to No. 8. MLB.com's Will Leitch perfectly summarized the current state of the team with his blurb: "The lineup hasn't been as deep as what we've gotten used to from the Phillies, but a splendid starting rotation more than makes up for it."
Every Phillies fan would agree with that statement, as despite their perception as one of the league's top contenders, the team has painfully obvious flaws that may once again prove to be their demise in October. They boast the most productive starting rotation in the league, yet their offense is loaded with stars that can enter drastic cold spells seemingly out of nowhere. They've been as high as No. 1 in MLB's power rankings this season and as low as No. 13.
They also have been struggling mightily with situational hitting as of late, which is far from a new phenomenon with these Phillies. Even their most consistent hitters, Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner, have gone through slumps, with Turner going 3-for-24 on the last road trip. But hey, that's baseball, where every team faces adversity over the course of a six-month regular season.
With that being said, the Phillies are still a very strong team who should surpass 90 wins for the third consecutive season. Every team has their flaws, some more glaring than others. It would be surprising if the Phillies don't take advantage of their lighter second-half schedule en route to their fourth-straight postseason appearance and a higher spot in the power rankings.