The Philadelphia Phillies have been a very good team ever since they made the decision to replace Joe Girardi with current manager Rob Thomson.
With a 65-46 record, Thomson led the Phils to their first postseason appearance since 2011, and so far his team has beaten the St. Louis Cardinals in the Wild Card round and the Atlanta Braves in the Divisional Series.
Next up are the San Diego Padres in the National League Championship Series.
The Phillies have been able to dominate in the playoffs because they have a strong one-two punch of Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler in the rotation, but mainly because their power bats are mostly producing.
“The @Phillies‘ bats have been HOT!” MLB Network tweeted, with a useful chart to help us understand how the offense has been carrying the Phils.
The @Phillies' bats have been HOT! 🔥#RedOctober | #Postseason pic.twitter.com/X1ADrbUbw2
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) October 17, 2022
Of course, everything begins with the franchise player and reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper.
Harper Is Leading The Way
The powerful outfielder hit .500 in the Division Series (8-for-16) with two home runs, four runs, and five RBI.
Nick Castellanos, signed in the offseason to a multi-year deal, had five hits (one of them being a double) and five RBI.
Rhys Hoskins had one of the most iconic home runs in franchise history in postseason play, the one in which he spiked his bat.
Besides that, he doubled and drove in four runs.
Brandon Marsh has a double, a home run, and three RBI, while Jean Segura is 6-for-13 with two doubles and three runs.
That’s some excellent production right there, and three of the team’s best bats (J.T. Realmuto, Kyle Schwarber and Alec Bohm) are yet to catch fire and could do it any minute.
With an improved bullpen, a great top of the rotation and a fantastic offense, the Phillies might actually be underrated.
NEXT: Phillies-Padres NLCS Will Feature A Very Special Matchup