Pundits and prognosticators around the baseball world are making their feelings known about the 2018 season, which starts tomorrow (FINALLY!). Let's see where they're putting the Phils.
18 - MLB.com
27 - ESPN (last updated on Nov. 1)
14 - TheRinger.com
18 - CBS Sports.com
17 - Rotoworld.com
19 - BleacherReport.com
21 - USA Today
Lots of consensus for the middle of the pack for the Phillies. Which, to a neutral observer, makes sense. I do not claim to be neutral. And it really pisses me off that almost all of these rankings have the Mets way ahead of the Phillies.
With 30-plus starts going to Jake Arrieta instead of AAAA pitchers, a full season of Rhys Hoskins, and a heaping helping of Scott Kingery, I think the Phillies have an outside shot at a wild card berth. They play the truly horrid Braves and Marlins a total of 38 times (thank you, division scheduling) and should win at least 60 percent of those games. They did OK against the division champion and perennial playoff disappointment Nationals (8-11) and fared a little worse against the Mets (7-12).
For me, the bullpen is better, the starting pitching is much better, and the offense should be better. I think 84 wins is realistic, but it will probably take 90 to make the playoffs. Second place in the division is absolutely attainable. But this team is definitely headed in the the right direction.
Looking at the world through Phillies-tinted glasses. Lukewarm takes on Phillies baseball, other Philadelphia teams, and whatever else I feel like.
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