2 min read • October 28, 2022
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Philadelphia is playing in their first World Series since 2009, the year after they captured their first title since 1980.
This team made it with hitting, as Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos are all healthy at the right time.
If there is one weakness on their roster, it is the bullpen.
A big issue affecting late game situations is the calf strain David Robertson suffered in the division series. Robertson reportedly hurt his calf celebrating a Bryce Harper home run against the Cardinals, but returned and pitched effectively against the Padres.
Another reliever injury situation to track is the Phillies' situation lefty.
Reliever Brad Hand – one of 12 Phillies to record a save this season – recently suffered from left elbow tendonitis and missed time late in the season.
He returned for the NLDS and allowed just 2 hits across 2.2 innings and no runs, but Hand had 3 earned runs in 1 innings against San Diego.
Harper and second baseman Jean Segura both missed much of the second half for the Phillies after suffering fractured fingers but the offense remained strong, helping jump-start their playoff resurgence that featured a 66-46 record since June 1 and a 15-20 record since August 28.
Harper hasn’t played in the outfield since early spring because of a torn right UCL but the injury hasn’t hindered his hitting and the 29-year-old has 18 home runs with 65 RBI on an .878 OPS in 99 games this season.
Slugger Kyle Schwarber played through a calf issue for much of the regular second half but still took the NL home run crown with a career-best 46 – and a league-most 200 strikeouts – in 155 games.
The rest of the Phillies’ key position players – including right fielder Nick Castellanos, third baseman Alec Bohm, first baseman Rhys Hoskins, and catcher J.T. Realmuto – have been available and effective at the plate.
The Phillies are +165 to win the World Series. They went 87-75 during the regular season and entered as the No. 6 seed.
Bryce Harper is +480 to win World Series MVP, followed by Yordan Alavarez at +650 and Justin Verlander at +1000.
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