3 bold predictions for Phillies’ second half
What can Phillies fans expect in the second half? Here are some bold predictions to kick off the stretch run.
The Philadelphia Phillies have certainly had a season to remember so far in 2024. Currently, the Phillies hold the best record in all of baseball at 62-34, fueled by the outstanding performances of both their hitters and pitchers.
More impressively, they have somehow maintained their dominance despite injuries to members of their starting rotation, as well as their star position players, including shortstop Trea Turner, catcher J.T. Realmuto, Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber. To give an idea of how well the entire team performed in the first half, the Phillies had a record eight players make the All-Star game.
3 bold predictions for Phillies’ second half
So with the second half of the season set to start following the All-Star break, let’s take a look at three bold predictions for the Phillies for the upcoming stretch run.
Jeff Hoffman will become the Phillies' permanent closer with over 30 saves
At the start of the season, the Phillies didn't name a closer, but José Alvarado got the lion's share of save opportunities, based on his experience and track record with the club. He had previously shown success in closing out games for the Phillies in the past.
However, Alvarado hasn’t been exactly his usual lights-out, sporting a 1-3 record with 13 saves, along with a 3.92 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 41 appearances. More importantly, his 25 percent strikeout rate is the lowest mark since his 2017 rookie season.
Enter Jeff Hoffman. The big righty already had his breakout last year when he went 5-2 with a 2.41 ERA and 0.92 WHIP in 54 games. This year, he has been on another astronomical level. In 41 appearances, Hoffman has a 3-1 record with an astonishing 1.12 ERA and 0.89 WHIP, giving up just five earned runs with 10 walks and 52 strikeouts in 40 1/3 innings. He earned his first-ever All-Star nod in the process.
With his exceptional ability to shut down opposing hitters and the fact that the Phillies have used him to close games in four of the last five save opportunities, look for Hoffman to permanently cement himself as the team’s official closer down the stretch. With how he has pitched this season, he should be able to easily notch over 30 saves by season’s end.
Nick Castellanos will lead the offense and finish with 30+ home runs and 100+ RBI
Nick Castellanos certainly had a forgettable first month of the season. Everything that could have possibly gone wrong did, as he struggled to hit for both average and power, resulting in lower-than-normal run production. But over the last two months, the right fielder has slowly been turning his game around. The hits, home runs and RBI have begun to mount once again.
For someone who only produced two home runs and nine RBI while hitting below the Mendoza Line through April (subscription required), Castellanos has rebounded to tally 13 home runs and 47 RBI in total entering the All-Star break, to go along with his steadily-climbing .233 batting average. More importantly, he appears to be the Castellanos of old once again — in particular, his last 24 games. He has hit .308 with an .855 OPS with eight runs scored, four home runs and a whopping 17 RBI over that span.
Don’t look now, but a hot-hitting Castellanos entering the second half of the season could spell major trouble for opposing teams. With the ability to single-handedly demolish opponents with the swing of the bat, as seen in his epic performance during the 2023 NLDS, look for Castellanos to surpass both Bryce Harper and Trea Turner in becoming the most productive Phillies player down the stretch.
What was once thought to be an impossible feat for him to accomplish after his early-season slump, he will surprise everyone and reach the 30-homer and 100-RBI thresholds for the second time in his career.
The Phillies will clinch the NL East title by mid-September and finish with a double-digit division lead
With the dominating way the Phillies have been playing, it wouldn’t be too surprising for them to capture their first NL East title since 2011. With their NL East rivals struggling with their play and injury woes this season, the Phillies could clinch the division title with weeks to spare.
With the Phillies out of reach of most of their division foes, their closest rivals remain the Atlanta Braves. After all, the Braves have been the division winners for the past six seasons and were the offensive juggernaut of the National League last season.
However, they have lost two key players this year in star outfielder and reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. and 20-game winner Spencer Strider. Consequently, they no longer rank in the top 10 in the league for the bulk of the offensive categories but have managed to stay afloat courtesy of some strong pitching that helped make up for Strider's loss. Nevertheless, they have struggled in a way unlike any of their previous seasons and have even tried about everything to maintain pace with the Phillies.
With the Phillies due to get some reinforcements back soon, led by Zack Wheeler and Realmuto, along with the likelihood of the team adding some key pieces at the trade deadline, it means the rich will get richer down the stretch. Finishing with a lead larger than 10 games isn't out of the question to cap off what has been a magical and memorable season for the Phillies.
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