This Narrative Should Push The Phillies' Season Into October

The seasons have gone deep, but it's been back-to-back heartbreak for the Philadelphia Phillies. In 2022, they got as close as you could get. But they fell to the Houston Astros in the World Series. Then, they needed just one more win at The Bank for a shot at redemption but lost out to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The pain is only fuel, however. The Phillies did precisely what they needed this past offseason by keeping Aaron Nola in Philadelphia. They also extended Zack Wheeler's stay while they were at it. Now, it's time for Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and the rest of the lineup to finish the job and bring another trophy to Philly.

Standing in their way will be a competitive National League field, topped by the Los Angeles Dodgers and rival Atlanta Braves. The Dodgers and Braves remain revered as the favorites to meet in the NLCS for the right to play in the Fall Classic. But who's to say one of them makes it that far, let alone both?

Just as they have in the past, the Phillies are going to have something to say about it. And it's not just the fans that feel that way.

Jeff Passan: Phillies Have A Case To Take Down Dodgers/Braves

ESPN writers took five teams in baseball to expert Jeff Passan with cases on why they could take on and possibly defeat either the Dodgers or Braves. Alden Gonzalez chose the Phillies, citing their returning hungry players and proven ability to do it. Remember, the Phillies have ousted the Braves as a wild-card team two years in a row.

Passan agrees with Gonzalez. He says the Phillies have as much talent as the Dodgers or Braves. But he says it will come down to secondary guys like Christopher Sanchez, Spencer Turnbull, and Nick Castellanos to keep the team moving. If they can, there's no reason why the Phillies aren't going to be in the conversation.

The season has not started as planned for the Phillies. They lost two of three to those same Braves and couldn't figure out a young Cincinnati Reds team. Harper started the season hitless in 11 at-bats. But he shut everyone up with three bombs on Tuesday.

We're just six games into the season. There's 154 more and plenty of time to iron things out. Phillies fans will tell you how notorious they are for a slow start and electric finish. Here's to hoping the heat comes earlier this time around.

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