Comfortable?
"Not a chance," Kyle Schwarber asserted recently. "There's still a lot to do."
After this homestand, the Phillies will embark on a challenging six-game road trip against the Cubs and Braves. They’ll then return to Citizens Bank Park for a high-stakes three-game series against the Dodgers, a potential postseason preview.
As we close out the first half of the season, here are three key points to consider as the All-Star break draws near:
The Return of J.T. Realmuto
J.T. Realmuto underwent surgery on June 12 to remove cartilage from his right knee, with the Phillies anticipating his return around the All-Star break. In his absence, Garrett Stubbs and Rafael Marchan have taken over catching duties, but their performance has been lackluster. The duo has combined for a 61 wRC+, ranking 23rd in baseball during this period. More concerning is their abysmal 1.7% walk rate, the worst in the majors, coupled with a 29.3% strikeout rate, ranking fifth worst.
Trade Deadline Moves
The Phillies will be active as the trade deadline approaches in five weeks. They might target an established outfielder for center or left field or seek bench upgrades. With valuable trade chips on the farm, the team’s performance in the next few weeks will significantly influence Dave Dombrowski's strategy.
Back of the Rotation
Another area Dombrowski may look to bolster at the deadline is the back of the rotation. Taijuan Walker has struggled, carrying a 5.68 ERA over ten starts and dealing with a blister issue on his throwing hand. Spencer Turnbull has been solid, but his 54 innings pitched is the most since 2020, and he left Wednesday's game early with a shoulder issue. Potential targets include left-handers Luis Severino (Mets), Yusei Kikuchi (Blue Jays), and former right-hander former Phillie Zach Efflin (Rays).
