The NL East division is going to be a lot more competitive than last year. While a few returns like Ronald Acuna Jr’s return to the Braves are scheduled, the Mets’ onslaught this offseason made the East division a lot more attractive. Remember, Juan Soto is now with the Mets. The Phillies’ 1B Bryce Harper highlighted the same about how the NL East is going to be a lot of fun this year. Well, rival teams getting better equipped shouldn’t be fun for the Phillies, but Harper thinks so. How are the Philadelphia Phillies predicted to perform this year?

The Philadelphia Phillies had a successful 2024 season, clinching their first National League East Division Championship since 2011. They also made it to the postseason. However, while the Phillies had a good season last year, their World Series ring is nowhere to be seen in the near past. The last ring came in 2008, and since then, nothing to boast of. Will they get it this time? Considering how the Mets are jacked up this year and the Braves are getting strengthened with Acuna’s return from injury, it’s a good challenge for Harper to overcome. 

“We’ve got to win the games we’re supposed to win and then everything else kind of evens it out a little bit. The Braves are getting really good. They’re getting Strider back. Seeing the Braves get healthy is going to be a lot of fun for this game and a lot of fun for our division as well. You know, Acuna getting back and they’ll probably find a double-A pitcher that is absolutely lights out,” Bryce Harper said in an interview with the MLB Network. Why win only those that the Phillies are supposed to win? Why not aim to win all and make it to the postseason? Harper, though, acknowledged the Mets’ muscle this year and how the NL East division got packed this year. While the competition is going to get higher this year for the Phillies, how much are they equipped to face it? Could the Philadelphia Phillies make a turnaround this year in the postseason? 

2025 can be a breakthrough year for the Phillies 

Well, Bryce Harper hopes this year will be worthy for the Phillies. How? The Phillies made a few offseason roster additions, and the core of this team returns from the NL East championship. After Jeff Hoffman left, they signed Jordan Romano to replace the back end of the bullpen. They also added Max Kepler to the outfield and traded for Jesus Luzardo to strengthen the rotation. Thus, it is anticipated that the 2025 Phillies will contend for a World Series in what may be their last season with this present roster. 

Throughout the whole previous season, the Phillies’ outfield was a big source of worry. Their OPS in left field (.691, 19th in MLB) and center field (.669, 18th) was a weakness. Nick Castellanos locks down right field, but what about left and center? Kepler agreed to a one-year contract with the Phillies to play left field. He’ll start as the main left fielder. The outfield will benefit greatly if Kepler can reproduce more of his 2023 output (.260 average, 24 home runs, and .816 OPS). The center field for the Phillies got further strengthened with Johan Rojas and Brandon Marsh. Bryce Harper will lead the charge at the plate. 

The Philadelphia Phillies seem ready for 2025, albeit with a few gaps in the defense. It would be interesting to watch how the Phillies compete in the NL East with their rivals equally tougher this time. 

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