It's been a decade since the Phillies have finished above .500. They currently have the longest playoff drought in the National League and second drought in all of MLB.
So, why not make 2021 the year?
"It's time man, it's time," said Rhys Hoskins. "I've always heard about how this city is a red city, it's a baseball city. Obviously with the Eagles winning in '17, the Sixers are an exciting team, same with the Flyers, but what is better than baseball in the summer?"
Hoskins joined Joe DeCamara and Jon Ritchie on Thursday and gave earnest answers about the Phillies playoff goals this year. And while they still have something to prove, Hoskins feels like the team isn't getting proper recognition:
"We feel like we have a pretty veteran, experienced team that has been in some big situations. We have a lot of young talent as well. It feels like things are coming together in that sense.
"There is also a little bit of a sense that we are being overlooked. I think that is going to give us a bit of an extra edge. Obviously, our division is super tough and there will be a lot of good baseball. We are every bit as confident in the team that we have now to be able to compete in our division and compete late into October."
Hoskins enters his fifth year with the team and came closest to making the playoffs in last year's shortened season. The team features several veterans like Andrew McCutchen, Matt Joyce and Didi Gregorius as well as several pitchers with playoff experience. The last two seasons, the Phillies have been in the NL East and wild card races headed into the final week. Now, they are tasked with getting over the hump in the toughest division in baseball.
