3 Bold Philadelphia Phillies predictions for the regular season
Some Phillies predictions on Opening Day of the 2023 season
One of baseball fans' favorite days in the calendar year is finally here — Opening Day. Behind Cy Young Award hopeful and pending free-agent Aaron Nola, the Philadelphia Phillies will begin their 162-game regular season journey late Thursday afternoon against the Bruce Bochy-led Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field.
Looking back 365 days ago, the team was in a much different place — still with a 10-plus-year postseason drought lingering over them and doubts about whether Joe Girardi was the right managerial voice to lead the team.
Today, the Phillies are at the opposite end of the spectrum — looking to carry over their momentum from "Red October" and start the season on the right foot.
While fan-favorite first baseman Rhys Hoskins, unfortunately, will not be a factor this season due to suffering a torn ACL in his left knee, there are still several other stars on the club who will bring energy, passion, and power. Among them is shortstop Trea Turner — who reached international headlines from his dominant World Baseball Classic performance and projects to be near the top of several Major League Baseball statistics this season, including hits.
The Phillies will also eventually get back slugger Bryce Harper when he is fully recovered from his offseason Tommy John surgery. Also, do not forget reigning National League home runs leader Kyle Schwarber, the "best catcher in baseball" J.T. Realmuto, starting pitching ace Zack Wheeler, and many others.
As a new season begins, here are three bold Phillies predictions as it relates to the Rob Thomson-led squad.
1. Phillies reliever Seranthony Domínguez will be named a first-time All-Star.
Time has flown in that right-handed reliever Seranthony Domínguez is one of the longest-tenured Phillies players, having made his big-league debut in early May 2018.
The 28-year-old Dominican Republic native has had his fair share of ups and downs since then — particularly being sidelined from appearing in a Major League game from June 2019, all the way to the 2021 season finale.
But Domínguez bounced back last season and showed signs of dominance that quickly became evident during his rookie season under then-first-year manager Gabe Kapler. Making 54 appearances in the 2022 campaign, the right-hander went 6-5 with an even 3.00 ERA, 1.137 WHIP, and 61-22 strikeouts-to-walks ratio spanning 51 innings. Domínguez successfully recorded saves in nine of his 11 opportunities, as well as finished 16 games overall.
Seranthony Domínguez, Wicked Sliders. 🤢 pic.twitter.com/XetnCQxiCG
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 29, 2022
Domínguez was even more impressive in the 2022 postseason, allowing just seven hits, two runs, and one walk spanning nine appearances, 10 2/3 innings, and 40 batters faced. He impressively struck out 18 batters, including three in as many innings during the World Series — Major League Baseball's biggest stage.
Domínguez made a name for himself in the postseason and should only build on that reputation this coming season, barring any injuries. If Domínguez has similar success in his first full year under manager Rob Thomson, he should undoubtedly be in contention to make the National League All-Star team for the first time in his career.
Back in February, the Phillies and Domínguez avoided arbitration by agreeing to a two-year contract with a club option for 2025. Both sides are invested in each other for the long haul.
2. The Phillies will end the season with a first baseman acquired by the trade deadline.
As the Phillies begin their new season on Thursday, their beloved first baseman Rhys Hoskins will undergo surgery to repair his torn ACL. He will likely miss the entire season and will enter free agency in the fall. Barring he returns on a prove-it, one-year deal to try to cash in the following offseason, Hoskins may never don red pinstripes again.
The situation is overall unfortunate, especially for a team that was counting to have Hoskins near the middle of the batting lineup — even with an already deep lineup that now features shortstop standout Trea Turner.
Darick Hall against right-handers — and platooning Edmundo Sosa and Alec Bohm at the corner infield spots when facing a left-handed starter — seems to be the team's temporary solution to fill the first base void. But, is that platoon feasible long-term for a team with high aspirations?
C.J. Cron is back at it!
— MLB (@MLB) September 11, 2022
This one just went a measly 457 feet. 😉
(MLB x @FTX_Official) pic.twitter.com/SqlhHOq2Qp
That is why Dave Dombrowski may have all focus set at the trade deadline toward replacing Hoskins — perhaps not just for the final months of the season, but also long-term if possible, with Hoskins set to hit the open market. We recently wrote about possible injury replacements for Hoskins, one of which is Colorado Rockies first baseman C.J. Cron.
Cron has dealt with an injury himself — missing time in spring training due to back spasms — but is expected to be fine for Opening Day and the subsequent games. The 33-year-old California native is also a pending free agent, but if acquired, could be signed to an extension to ensure the Phillies do not just acquire him as a rental. Cron slugged 29 home runs and 102 RBI last season for the Rockies, a team that is not expected to make strides toward a postseason berth any time soon. If he is made available, expect the Phillies to be among the contenders in trade rumors.
3. The Phillies will win their first National League East title since 2011.
Last season, the Phillies checked off many items from their list of far-too-long droughts — among them is getting back to the postseason for the first time since the 102-win 2011 season.
Then, of course, the Phillies won their first postseason series since 2010 and their first National League pennant since 2009. They were two wins shy of their first World Series championship since 2008.
There is one drought that still lingers that the club surely would like see come to an end in the 2023 campaign — winning the National League East. Assuming the Phillies can overcome their recent slew of injuries, particularly at the first base and starting pitching positions, expect the club to stay afloat until Bryce Harper returns and make a strong push for the division title this season.
"They are right in the mix now."@TylerKepner says not to sleep on the @Phillies in the NL East. pic.twitter.com/gYk0gvBHxy
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) February 4, 2023
Even if the Phillies were in full health, winning the division title would not be an easy task with the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets each projected to win at least 90 games. But the Phillies got a taste of meaningful baseball last season and know what it takes to be one of the best in the league. For the longest time, all the franchise knew was how to lose, rather than how to win. That is anything but the case today.
The Phillies have won the National League East just 11 times in their long history — 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1983, 1993, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. The Braves, meanwhile, have won the division 17 times, not to mention their five National League West titles. Considering the Braves have won the NL East in five straight seasons since 2018, it is time for the Phillies to take over.