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Author Pat Egan

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Ricky Bo's 5 Keys For the Phillies After The All-Star Break

The first half for the Phillies is in the books. At 48-41, they find themselves .5 a game out of a Wild Card spot. The season started out as a disaster, but they righted the ship a bit in June and July. It looked like they would go into The All-Star Break on a high after sweeping the Rays. But then they dropped 2 of 3 to the Marlins. Now many of us don’t know what to think of this team.

Are they the team with a great rotation and pen that swept one of the best teams in the league? Or are they the team that struggles to drive runners in that we saw vs the Marlins? And what do they need to do to right the ship going forward? That is what Ricky Bottalico explored below.

Here are Ricky Bo’s 5 keys to the Phillies making a playoff push after the All-Star Break.

  • Aaron Nola Needs to Look like an Ace

    Aaron Nola has to pitch like a top-of-the-line starter.  He has given up 21 home runs this year.  He definitely has the tools to be great, but the mistakes have piled up and those mistakes have cost him.  Nola still shows signs of being great but inconsistency is an issue.  We have seen the blow-up innings…We have also seen the innings where he strikes out the side and looks like Cy Young.  The Phillies need him to be that latter version if they want the big trophy. 

  • Trea Turner Needs to Get On Base More

    Trea Turner, has come up small in the first half, but we do know that his tools are all there.  It isn’t power we are looking for with him, it simply is for Turner to be an on-base machine and use his speed to be a problem for opposing pitchers.  I do think he will turn it around in the second half.  Anything he adds to the offense would be huge to a team that has plenty of stars. 

    ST PETERSBURG, FL - JULY 5: Trea Turner #7 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a single during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on July 5, 2023 in St Petersburg, Florida.

    (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

  • Bryce Harper Moving to First Base

    Bryce Harper….He is key to so many things coming up.  First, Harper moving into a role as a first baseman could benefit the whole team.  If he is adequate at first base, then the Phillies have the perfect move for Kyle Schwarber to move to DH (As we know, he has struggled in the field this season).  This could simply help the defense immediately, putting Christian Pache into left, and Brandon Marsh in center.  One thing that should be noted, Harper is not a first baseman. While he is athletic, it will not be an easy move and there will be growing pains. But it certainly will be a big move if it works out. 

    Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on during the fifth inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on June 23, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

    Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on during the fifth inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on June 23, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

  • Have to Hit With Runners in Scoring Position

    The Phillies offense with runners in scoring position are hitting .248 on the year, but there have been many games in which they have come up small.  Look for the middle of the lineup to kick it in gear. I think certain players like Harper, Realmuto and Castellanos are due to become huge run producers in the second half.  Realmuto struggled early last season and kicked it into gear in the second half last season, hopefully, that continues this year. 

  • Bullpen Needs to Stay Healthy

    Jose Alvarado, arguably one of the league’s best relievers, has had some arm issues, they need him to get healthy and be strong for the second half. Phillies need a bounce-back second half from Seranthony Dominguez.  He was dominant last season and we know he can be in the second half.  These two guys are a huge key to the Phillies’ success. Craig Kimbrel has been huge for this team, really stepping up and being a reliable closer.  So too has Gregory Soto, stepping up in a setup role and doing a tremendous job. With these 5 elements, the Phillies can for sure make another run in the postseason… 

Pat is Philly through and through, having grown up in the Oxford Circle of Northeast Philadelphia. He attended Cardinal Dougherty High School, and it was at CD that a teacher suggested he should pursue a career in sports radio. He worked his way up the ranks and joined the morning show in June of 2020. As a content creator for 97.5 The Fanatic he writes about Eagles, Sixers, Phillies and Flyers. Follow Pat on Twitter @Pat_Egan

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