20 Things To Know About The Phillies For The 2026 Season

The Phillies insist they don’t seem to be merely “running it back” with the similar nucleus that has delivered 4 consecutive postseason bids, two straight division titles, however zero Broad Street parades. There have been a number of modifications, notably in the outfield, the place a rookie is poised to take over in middle and a veteran is hoping to discover new life in proper.

There are 100 things that will likely be value watching this season — Is Bryce Harper Still Bryce Harper? How effectively will the employees ace come again from his scary harm? Are the youngsters prepared to contribute? And so on.

Here are 20.

1. The most notable addition to the roster was Adolis Garcia, who takes over for Nick Castellanos in proper subject. García’s manufacturing has dipped since he helped Texas win the 2023 World Series. He batted .323 that postseason and hit two house runs in Game 7 to declare ALCS MVP.

2. García and Phillies utility infielder Edmundo Sosa met in 2017 after they had been in the Cardinals group. Garcia was the best man at Sosa’s wedding in 2019.

3. García has performed solely 4 video games at Citizens Bank Park, going 2-for-15 (.133) with a homer in 2024 off Zack Wheeler. The Phillies open the season at house with a collection in opposition to Texas, whom they’ve swept in every of the final two seasons.

4. Schedule stuff I: The Phillies play 12 video games in row in opposition to the Cubs and Braves from April 13-26. The first six are at house.

5. There’s hope that Wheeler may return to the membership throughout this stretch. The employees ace was shut down in August with a blood clot in his proper (throwing) shoulder and missed the National League Division Series loss to the Dodgers. Getting Wheeler again wholesome is best than any transfer crew president Dave Dombrowski may have been made in free company.

6. Kyle Schwarber wants 13 house runs to change into the eleventh Phillies participant to attain 200. Schwarber has performed solely 4 seasons right here, and in three of these he is cracked the prime 10 for most house runs in a season in membership historical past (46 in 2022, 47 in 2023, 56 in 2025). The solely different Phillie to hit 50-plus house runs in a season was Ryan Howard (58 in 2006).

6a. Schwarber additionally has 4 of the six highest strikeout totals for a batter in membership historical past.

7. The Phillies had been shut to a take care of two-time All-Star Bo Bichettewho opted to signal with the Mets after seven seasons in Toronto. Phillies followers’ first alternative to greet Bichette will likely be June 18 when New York visits for Father’s Day weekend.

8. The Phillies added pitcher Brad Kellerwhose profession apparently was rescued final yr when the Cubs moved him to the bullpen. “I was basically destined to go to [the minor leagues] and just kind of be a bulk starter down there and kind of see what happens,” I told The Inquirer in February. “Definitely a career-changer.”

9. Keller, a 30-year-old who signed a two-year, $22 million contract, was notably nasty on right-handers final yr. Righties had only a .466 OPS in opposition to Keller, tops in the NL (minimal 150 batters confronted). This may turn out to be useful when supervisor Rob Thomson calls on him late in a recreation to face Bichette.

10. Jhoan Duran‘s over/underneath for saves is 29.5 at DraftKings (-120). He’s +350 to attain 40. Duran led the Phillies with 16 saves final yr, regardless of not becoming a member of the membership till July 30, when he was acquired in a commerce with the Minnesota Twins. Duran, 28, will likely be the first legit nearer Thomson has since he grew to become the Phillies supervisor in 2022.

10a. “I think it’s probably the best group of arms we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Thomson stated earlier this spring, referring to the bullpen.

11. Orion Kerkeringwho had that (*20*) in opposition to the Dodgers, is amongst the relievers Thomson will learn on. Kerkering, who battled a hamstring harm throughout the spring, handled the gaffe with classso it could be good to see him get a cheering ovation from Phillies followers when he makes his first look at Citizens Bank Park. (Though he ought to anticipate to get booed if he will get knocked round.)

12. Curious to see how Thomson juggles the lineup, notably the cleanup hitter if Harper once more hits third. Phillies four-hole hitters final yr had 24 homers and 86 RBIs with a .242 batting common and .720 OPS. Those numbers had been fifth, fifth, sixth and sixth, respectively, amongst the six National League playoff groups and a cause that Harper had his least productive yr as a Phille.

13. Jesus Luzardo28, was rewarded for the greatest season of his profession with a five-year contract extension value $135 million, a mean annual worth of $27 million. Luzardo went 15-7 in 2025 to increase his profession report to 41-41. He additionally had profession highs in innings pitched (183⅔) and strikeouts (216).

13a. When Steve Carlton entered his age-28 season in 1973, he was coming off the biggest season ever by a Phillies pitcher. Carlton threw 346⅓ innings with 310 strikeouts and went 27-10. The last-place Phillies had been 32-87 in 1972 when Carlton did not pitch, so by 1973 they raised his wage from $65,000 to $165,000, the equal of $1.265 million right now.

13b. One final Luzardo merchandise. He is fourth in profession strikeouts amongst pitchers drafted in 2016 with 775, not dangerous for a third-round choose by the Nationals. Those forward of him are Corbin Burnes (1,114), Zac Gallen (1,060), and Shane Bieber (995). All three had been drafted after Luzardo.

14. Schedule stuff II: The Phillies’ nine-game homestand beginning Thursday, July 16, consists of three video games every in opposition to the Mets, Dodgers and Yankees. I.

15. The Phillies will attempt to tie a franchise report with their fourth consecutive 90-win season. DraftKings has their over/underneath at 89.5 wins. The solely different Phillies golf equipment to win 90 in 4 straight years had been the groups from 2008 to 2011.

16. second baseman Chase Utleyone in every of the leaders of the 2008 World Bleepin’ Champions, will be inducted into the Phillies Wall of Fame on Aug. 7, earlier than the recreation in opposition to Toronto.

16a. Utley’s first profession hit was a grand slam off Colorado’s Aaron Cook in 2003. (Jim Thome, Mike Lieberthaland David Bell additionally scored.) His final profession house run at Citizens Bank Park was additionally a grand slam. He was with the Dodgers in 2016 when he went deep off aid Michael Mariot.

17. It’s uncommon to see a Phillies participant close to the prime of the odds board for Rookie of the Year, however not too long ago at DraftKings middle fielder Justin Crawford was listed at 20-1, pitcher Andrew Painter was 30-1, and infielder Aidan Miller it was 50-1. Howard in 2005 was the final Phillie to win ROY. Jack Sanfordin 1957, is the solely pitcher in membership historical past to win it.

17a. Those three gamers had been first-round picks in consecutive years beginning with Painter in 2021, Crawford in 2022, and Miller in 2023. Miller will begin the season in the minors.

18. Crawford’s father is Carl Crawfordwho hit two house runs for Tampa Bay in opposition to the Phillies in the 2008 World Series when Justin was 4 years previous. His cousin is JP Crawforda Phillies first-round choose in 2013 who was traded to Seattle in 2018 for Jean Segura. (Knock on wooden) Justin will see cousin JP when the Phillies go to Seattle from Aug. 24-26.

19. Schedule stuff III: The season ends with the closing six video games in South Philly. The Phillies had been a terrific 55-26 (.679) at house final season in contrast to 41-40 (.506) on the highway.

20. Painter, who turns 23 on April 10, played high school ball in South Florida with Dante Girardithe son of former Phillies supervisor Joe Girardi. In 2018, he watched Painter pitch a seven-inning shutout and turned to his spouse, Kimberly, and stated, “This is what a first-round pick looks like.” Painter was a 15-year-old freshman at the time.

Source: Baseball-Reference.com