The Philadelphia Phillies have a simple, yet daunting goal entering October: Win a World Series.
After two near misses in 2022 and 2023, there will be no excuses for these Phillies in 2024. They have one of the most talented, well-balanced teams around, and their experience makes them a dangerous matchup for any potential opponent in the National League.
However, with heightened expectations comes increased pressure. The Phillies know this is a crucial year for them, with superstars Bryce Harper and Trea Turner both entering their 30s and marquee starters Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola another year of mileage.
If all that wasn't enough, the Phillies may end up being undone by their own success in hte regular season. ESPN reporter Jorge Castillo laid out the case that the extra rest the Phillies earned by virtue of locking down the two-seed in the NL could come back to bite them this time around.
"This team is better than the Philly teams that advanced to the World Series in 2022 and fell one game short of returning in 2023. Both times the Phillies were a wild-card entrant, and both times they toppled the mighty Braves, the NL East champs, in the NLDS," Castillo said.
"This time, the Phillies will benefit from (or be hindered by?) a bye to the NLDS after winning their first division title since 2011. They will not roll from the regular season straight into October madness. Will that matter? It's a debate waged every year. Maybe it will for the Phillies."
If the Phillies are going to win that elusive World Series ring, they will have to come out firing on all cylinders on Saturday, when they face the winner of the Milwaukee Brewers-New York Mets series. That won't be easy to accomplish after five days of rest.
Ultimately, this was what the Phillies wanted--and worked hard for all season. They can set up their pitching exactly how they like and do a deep dive on both potential opponents all week. We'll see if they should have been more careful about what they wished for.
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