03-24-2024 MLB Preview - Flipbook - Page 32
MLB ’24 NL EAST PREVIEW PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Sunday, March 24, 2024 32
2003: 90-72, second place, lost to Arizona in NL Championship Series | Manager: Rob Thomson (third season) | Opening Day: March 28 vs. Atlanta
OVERVIEW
TOP HITTERS
1B Bryce Harper (.293, 21 HRs, 72
RBIs, .900 OPS), DH Kyle Schwarber (.197, 47, 104, 108 runs, 126 BBs,
.817 OPS), RF Nick Castellanos
(.272, 29, 106, .788 OPS), C J.T.
Realmuto (.252, 20, 63, .762 OPS),
SS Trea Turner (.266, 26, 76, 35 2Bs,
30 SBs, 102 runs, .778 OPS), 3B Alec
Bohm (.274, 29, 97, .765 OPS).
PROJECTED ROTATION
RH Aaron Nola (12-9, 4.46 ERA),
RH Taijuan Walker (15-6, 4.38), LH
Ranger Suárez (4-6, 4.18), LH Cristopher Sánchez (3-5, 3.44).
ONE TO WATCH
RH Zack Wheeler
(13-6, 3.61)
KEY RELIEVERS
LH José Alvarado (0-2, 1.74 ERA, 10
saves), RH Orion Kerkering (1-0,
3.00), LH Matt Strahm (9-5, 3.29),
RH Jeff Hoffman (5-2, 2.41, 1 save),
RH Seranthony Domínguez (5-5,
3.78, 2 saves), LH Gregory Soto (34, 4.62, 3 saves).
OUTLOOK
The Phillies made few roster
changes in the offseason and
instead decided to run it back with
a team that’s reached two straight
NL Championship Series. Philadelphia re-signed Nola and gave
Zack Wheeler an extension to keep
the top of the rotation intact. The
Phillies would like to become more
of a contender in the NL East and
give the perennial champion Braves
a run at the division title. But making the playoffs as a wild card has
worked out fine in Philly. Harper,
Turner and Schwarber are the heart
of an offense that should help lead
Philadelphia into the postseason
for a third straight year.
— Associated Press
KEVIN C.
COX/GETTY
HE’S HERE
OF Whit Merrifield, RHP Spencer Turnbull (left), LHP Kolby Allard.
HE’S OUTTA HERE
1B Rhys Hoskins, RHP Craig Kimbrel, RHP Michael Lorenzen.
Scan
code for
more
coverage
of the
Phillies