3 Phillies players who have to step up before season spirals

One week into the 2024 regular season, the Philadelphia Phillies have a below-average record of 3-4 ahead of their April 5 contest. While taking into account it is still early in the year, the organization has been in the position of getting off to slow starts in each of the previous two seasons.

The Phillies ultimately recovered in 2022 to qualify for the postseason as the third Wild Card in the National League and made it to the World Series. Last year, after an average April record of 15-13 followed by a 10-16 record during May, they put themselves at a disadvantage in trying to catch the Atlanta Braves for the division lead.

Philadelphia posted an 18-8 record during June, the most victories they totaled during a month last year. However, Atlanta went on a tear with a 21-4 record in the month and an impressive 21-8 win-loss record during August. The Braves went on to win their sixth straight NL East title.

The Phillies proved in the last two seasons that winning the NL East does not guarantee postseason success. Philly defeated their division rival, Atlanta, in the National League Division Series two years consecutively.

Look, it is far too early for fans to panic. However, for those who are hoping the Phillies win their first division title in 13 years, there is at the very least, cause for concern that history will repeat itself based on the trend of Philly starting the year struggling again. They will attempt to turn things around on the road with two three-game series against the Washington Nationals and St. Louis Cardinals before returning for a 10-game homestand.

The Phillies lineup has not done particularly well outside of a mammoth three-home run performance from first baseman Bryce Harper on April 2 versus the Cincinnati Reds. There has been a lot of inconsistency offensively during the first week of the season.

Let's take a look at three players that need to step up before the season spirals.