Can The Phillies Push for a NL Wild-Card Spot?
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The second half, of the MLB season started over the weekend and the Phillies started out losing two out of three to the second place New York Mets. They finished the first half winning seven of their last ten games, taken two out of three from the defending World Series champions the Kansas City Royals, sweeping the last place Atlanta Braves and splitting a four game series with the Colorado Rockies.
The Phillies start a key yes a "Key" four game series against the Miami Marlins who currently tied for the second National League Wild Card spot. This series will be a telling point on weather the Phillies can make a legit run at one of the NL Wild Card spots, by all means if they get swept, it's not impossible but it will be tough passing three or four other teams. They won't be totally out of it as there is still two months left and anything can happen. Now if they were to split or take three out of four or even somehow sweep them, then the Phillies could very well be in the NL WC race until at least mid-September.
NL Wild Card Standings as of Monday, July 18, 2016:
Top Three are the Division Leaders of their respectable division.
The Phillies are seven back from the Marlins for the second Wild Card spot and seven and half games from the Dodgers for the first wild card spot in the NL. I think the Phillies can at least make the race interesting and keep the fans interested for the next two months. Will they get one of the WC spots the answer is probably not. They just don't have the hitting to score runs as they got shutout again yesterday and only had one hit in that game, granted they faced Jacob deGrom but still they can't hit consistently. With that said you never know with this team this season they just keep on surprising people when you think they are down they get right back up. It's been a up and down season. The Phillies are in a "Rebuilding" mode but doesn't mean they can't try and make the playoffs. Should they make a deal for a hitter at the deadline and give away some of their young talent the answer is HELL NO! They can't rush this process, being up some of the young prospects toward the end of August and into September let the young players play. They have a brunch of young and talented prospects in the minors. Players like Jake Thompson (SP), Nick Williams (OF) and J.P. Crawford (SS) all could be coming up sooner (August or September) rather than later (next season).
Jake Thompson, Pitcher
Nick Williams, Outfield
J.P. Crawford, Shortstop
Finally, if we make the playoffs somehow great no complaining from me or should there be from any fans. If they fall back and only win 70 games (which I predicted) then that's fine too as the future is bright for them and this year they definitely took a step forward. I very much looking forward to the future and the rest of the season to see how they play and if they can make a push one of the WC spots.
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