The Philadelphia Phillies second half of the season is technically already underway, but the team returns from the All-Star break on July 16 at home against the New York Mets. This comes after Philadelphia hosted the 2026 MLB All-Star Game on July 14. Currently the Phillies sit at 54-43 in second in the NL East two games behind the Atlanta Braves. As Matt Vasgersian noted in a recent interview do not count out the Phillies overtaking the Braves. The Phillies hold a two game advantage for a Wild Card spot at the moment as well. To add to that the Phillies trail the Chicago Cubs by a 1/2 game for the top Wild Card position.
The Phillies second half of the season opens up with a nine game homes stand. In addition to the Mets, the Phillies will also welcome the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees. These games will be a good measuring point ahead of the trade deadline. A road series against the Miami Marlins follows this home stand as well.
Phillies Second Half Path Forward
Leaders In Starting Rotation Need To Continue First Half Successes
The starting rotation led by Cristopher Sánchez, Zack Wheeler and Jesús Luzardo needs to continue to excel in the Phillies second half. Wheeler is coming off of an All-Star snub and it motivate him down the stretch. Since being left off the NL All-Star team Wheeler has a 0.69 ERA and a 0.62 WHIP in two starts. Meanwhile Sánchez needs to get back on track. Sánchez has an abysmal 9.58 ERA and a 2.32 WHIP across two July starts. Prior to July, Sánchez recorded a 2.00 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP in his first 18 starts. Luzardo has turned a corner since a shaky start with a 2.28 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP in seven starts since June 1.
Trade Deadline Questions
The Phillies will be looking for the ideal right-handed hitting outfielder at the August 3 trade deadline. Despite constant fan speculation a trade for Mike Trout is not the answer here. However, fellow Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell could be a trade option for the Phillies. Adell has a .245/.291/.395 line with 13 home runs and 53 RBI in 96 games this season. Meanwhile this year Adell has a 89 wRC+ along with a .285 BABIP and a 0.14 BB/K rate. Adell is under team control through the 2027 season and the two teams have made multiple deadline deals the past few seasons.
Potential Change To The Lineup
Trea Turner could be in line for a position change either this season or this offseason. The Phillies shortstop is underperforming this season and something needs to change. Defensively this season Turner has -9 DRS/-5 OAA/-6 FRV at shortstop. Turner has committed 13 errors at the position this season. At the plate it is a similar story as Turner has a .236/.284/.355 line with 10 home runs and 33 RBI in 94 games. Turner has a 74 wRC+ and a .283 BABIP with a 0.27 BB/K rate. It is time to move Turner out of the top three in the lineup into a lower spot in the order. This is the change that needs to be made the most.
Need For Postseason Success
The Phillies came into the season with high expectations and made a mid-season managerial change. Don Mattingly taking over for Rob Thomson has given the team new hope for a postseason run. With an aging core and uncertainty surrounding a potential lockout after this season this could very well be the last chance of this era of Phillies baseball to win a World Series. The Phillies second half performance needs to get the team to the postseason at a minimum. What happens at the trade deadline will play an important role in dictating what happens down the stretch for the Phillies.
Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
