Here we are. Another season of Phillies baseball is here.
For the first time in over a decade, we’ve got high hopes.
There are, dare I say, expectations?
With so much firepower added to a roster that plays 81 games in a ballpark made for homeruns, most daydreaming Phillies fans have spent the last few weeks envisioning high scoring affairs, where the bats can provide enough cushion for a shallow rotation and carry a suspect bullpen.
Why? The Phillies front office finally did what was once the unthinkable: crossed the luxury tax threshold to maximize their roster by signing the premier bats to pair with Bryce Harper.
As a result, there are many storylines to watch as this season unfolds — and plenty of questions to be answered.
Will reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper pick up where he left off? What impact will free agent signings Nick Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber have? For the Phillies to win, Harper must be special and the impact from Castellanos and Schwarber must be massive.
Are Bryson Stott and Aaron Nola the real deal? Attention may lie on the big bats, but to meet expectations, the Phillies need big seasons from their role players and starting rotation
Will the defense be as bad as we think? Is the bullpen any better than 2021? It is clear these areas are weak points for the team. If the Phillies don’t make the playoffs, it’s likely the defense and bullpen will be to blame.
Can Joe Girardi make a positive impact? This is the question you should be asking as we enter a new season. Girardi was brought here — and paid — to make a difference. Now, with a roster ready to win, it’s time he earns his pay.
These are but a small sample size of nearly two dozen questions and what-ifs surrounding the 2022 roster.
My prediction for this new-look Phillies team is 90-72 and a trip back to the playoffs as a Wild Card.
While it's impossible to overlook the likely weak defense, and the once again suspect bullpen, the new core of players on this roster have approached the perfect age — and with that comes the realization this may be the window of opportunity.
Expect a franchise record breaking amount of runs scored, plenty of moments holding your breath for the bullpen, some heartbreaking injuries (Mickey Moniak unfortunately starting it off), but ultimately more smiles than frowns.
The only sure thing about this Phillies season is that it is going to be a wild ride — but for the first time in a long time it will be a ride that ends with the Phillies making their long-awaited return to the postseason in 2022.