As the Philadelphia Phillies embark on year three of a competitive window to win a World Series title, the fans have greater expectations heading into the 2024 season. This is a fan base after all that did their part by securing the Phillies the sixth-highest attendance (3,052,605 tickets sold) in all of MLB last year.
That being said, the Phillies have gotten so close to winning it all over the last two seasons. 2024 needs to be different.
All teams have room for improvement, and the Phillies need to improve in a few areas in 2024 if they want to become the team to beat in the National League East. Let's take a look at what the fans expect from the Phillies to make a third straight Red October a reality in 2024.
Fans expect the base running to improve in 2024
One of the more frustrating parts of the 2023 season was the Phillies running themselves into outs. This swashbuckling approach to trying to create runs was exciting at times, but as we saw at various points in the playoffs, the aggressiveness proved costly in big-game situations.
What an ending in Atlanta.
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) October 10, 2023
Michael Harris II with an incredible catch at the wall. Bryce Harper, trying to score, gets doubled up after getting off too far.
Guess who was there to back up the throw? Game 2 hero Austin Riley.
🎥 @MLB pic.twitter.com/SExu2Q3fPF
Bryce Harper getting doubled off to end Game 2 against the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS was unacceptable. Alec Bohm getting tossed out at second base during Game 4 of the NLCS versus the Diamondbacks was deflating. Brandon Marsh not paying attention to third base coach Dusty Wathan's hold signal in an August game versus the Reds was symbolic of a general lack of attention.
If the Phillies want to win more ballgames in 2024 and have a chance at securing the top spot in the NL East, they need to have more discipline on the base paths. Base running was a weakness for the Phillies in 2023, and fans hope this team understands that they can't run themselves into outs next season.