As of July 13th, the Phillies were soaring with a record 29 games above .500 mark through 95 games, boasting a .652 win percentage and leading in baseball standings. They seemed on track to challenge the 2011 squad with 102 wins, showcasing dominance.
With the best pitching and hitting in the league, along with eight NL All-Stars, the Phils were clear favorites for the World Series title a month ago. The trade deadline promised to further strengthen them. The Phillies traditionally peak in the postseason, making a playoff spot certain this fall. They are currently 99.9% likely to play in October according to baseball-reference.
Despite holding the second-best odds to win the World Series per ESPN, the Phillies are facing challenges. They’ve had contrasting stats before and post All-Star break as shown below:
| Stat | Before ASB | After ASB |
| Record | 62-34 (1st) | 7-15 (29th) |
| Runs | 477 (3rd) | 95 (23rd) |
| BA | .259 (3rd) | .241 (22nd) |
| ERA | 3.41 (6th) | 5.07 (24th) |
| WHIP | 1.15 (2nd) | 1.41 (24th) |
Although the Braves are also struggling, the Phillies need to make a turnaround to maintain their lead in the NL East. With upcoming games against non-playoff teams at home, the Phillies have a chance to regain their momentum. However, the real challenge lies in facing playoff-contending teams like the Braves and Astros in the upcoming series.
With Ranger Suarez possibly returning soon, the team must find their form quickly. Failure to do so could lead to a disappointing end to the season, reminiscent of a reverse 2022 scenario — dominating early but faltering when it matters most.
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