The Philadelphia Phillies must win it all in 2024. After coming short the last two seasons, combined with recent events, there are no more excuses for falling short. In 2022, the Phillies went on a magical run to the World Series after having fired then-manager Joe Girardi after a 22-29 start. In that World Series against the Houston Astros, the Phillies blew a 2-1 series lead. The following year, in 2023, manager Rob Thomson led the Phillies back to the postseason. In the NLCS against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Phillies held a 2-0 series lead and a 3-2 series lead but failed to advance to the World Series. That cannot happen again this year.
With Atlanta Braves stars Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider out for the season the Phillies should win their first NL East title since 2011. The Phillies have a 38-17 record and hold a six-game lead over the Braves for first place in the NL East. In 2017, the Washington Nationals won the NL East. Since then, the Braves have won the NL East every year. That needs to change this year with the Phillies winning the NL East. The Braves are the lone team within ten games of the division lead, and the other three teams are below five hundred. The 2024 Phillies cannot fall apart and lose the division title. This has happened to other Phillies teams in the past.
Phillies Must Win It All In 2024
NL Playoff Picture
Of all the years in the Phillies’ current championship window, this is the year they must win the World Series. With the Braves two leading star players out for the season, the Los Angeles Dodgers are the primary challengers in the NL. The Dodgers sit at 33-22 and are first in the NL West. The Phillies hold a five-game lead over the Dodgers for the best record in the NL. There are many advantages to being the number one seed in the league. This comes into play for the postseason. Whoever finishes with the better record would be in line to have home-field advantage in a potential NLCS matchup. That could play a role in determining a series outcome.
With Shohei Ohtani expected to return to pitching in 2025, the Dodgers will be even stronger next year. This is the year for the Phillies to win the NL and return to the World Series. In these three years dating back to 2022, the Phillies have never had a more straightforward path to winning the NL. They need to take advantage of this opportunity while it is still here. Additionally, this is the best chance the Phillies have had to win the World Series between the 2022, 2023, and 2024 seasons. If the Phillies do not, at a minimum, make it to the World Series, it would be a significant letdown. The Phillies came into the season with high expectations that remain in place.
Overall Reasoning
While core players like Bryce Harper, Aaron Nola, and Trea Turner have been under contract for many more years, the Phillies championship window is now open. This team has a combination of sound, experienced players, and emerging stars. As a result of this and other factors, the 2024 Phillies are the best-positioned Phillies team in some time to win the World Series. When the opportunity presents itself, it must be taken advantage of. Many sports teams have failed to capitalize on these situations. The time to win it all is now. There are no more excuses for another playoff heartbreak. A team may only get one real chance to win it all within their championship window. If the moment is not capitalized upon, it will pass by and go to someone else. The Phillies must win it all in 2024.
Main Photo Credits: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
