5 Story Lines to Watch for the Phillies in 2020
After an extended off-season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the sounds of summer will be coming from Citizens Bank Park once again on Friday, July 24th as the Philadelphia Phillies kick off the 2020 season against the Miami Marlins.
And not just the crack of the bat or the pop of the mitt. Fan noise will be piped into the stadiums’ thanks to MLB’s official video game.
In a 60-game sprint, here are five storylines to keep an eye on for the next couple of months.
1) How Will the Starting Rotation Perform?
Aaron Nola received the nod to start Opening Day on Friday. After a down season last year, he seems back on track to anchor this rotation. He’s a sneaky Cy Young candidate. Zack Wheeler, signed as a free agent this off-season, gives the Phils a formidable one-two punch atop the rotation. His stuff is electric, and a change of scenery should elevate his game, as long as he can stay healthy.
Zach number two, Zach Eflin, has dealt with back spasms recently, but this could be the season he comes into his own. After that, it gets interesting. Jake Arrieta, who has struggled during his Phillies tenure, says he’s finally healthy. Could we see something close to the guy who won the Cy Young in 2015?
What about the fifth starter? Right now it’s looking like Vince Velasquez, who was in mid-season form in an exhibition game the other night, taking 25 pitches to get through the first inning. And while this could be the year Velasquez finally lives up to the hype, we’ve been saying that for years. Instead, he’ll be on a short leash, especially with Spencer Howard waiting in the wings.
The face of the franchise Bryce Harper is throwing his weight behind getting him in the rotation, and once the service time issue is worked out after five games, Howard should be up and showing why he’s the Phillies number two prospect.
2) Will the Bullpen Sink the Phillies?
Last year, the bullpen was a disaster. Between guys blowing game after game and no established roles, it’s no wonder they struggled like they did. Former skipper Gabe Kapler had no idea what he was doing. That should change with Joe Girardi at the helm. Girardi is a proven winner and a smart baseball guy. Along with new pitching coach Bryan Price, they will get the most out of this ‘pen.
Hector Neris, Jose Alvarez, and Adam Morgan are locks to make the bullpen. The rest will come from a huge player pool and then dwindle down as rosters contract throughout the season. This flexibility gives the team time to figure out the pieces that will work for them and should give fans a little bit of comfort that the bullpen will not be as bad as last season.
3) Will Bryce Harper Carry the Team on His Shoulders?
When he’s hot, Harper is one of the most dangerous hitters in the game. The team around him is much better this season, from J.T. Realmuto, Rhys Hoskins (with an improved swing and swagger), a healthy Andrew McCutchen, and more. If they all play to the top of their level, and there’s no reason to think otherwise, Harper becomes much more deadly.
Harper seems incredibly comfortable in Philadelphia. He ended up having a terrific season last year once he settled in, despite what the national media may want you to believe. With no one to impress anymore and no pressure from his first season, expect Harper to carry this team and win the National League MVP.
4) What Happens With the Best Catcher in Baseball?
This one is scary. After trading top prospect Sixto Sanchez to the Marlins before last season for Realmuto, it seemed like a foregone conclusion the Phillies would lock him up long term well before he hit the free-agent market. Baseball’s transaction freeze during the pandemic hurt that and combined with a big drop in revenue this season, it’s looking more and more likely that Realmuto tests the free-agent market. General Manager Matt Klentak’s recent comments can’t make Phillies fans feel comfortable. Under no circumstance can he afford to let Realmuto walk, and if he does, Klentak needs to go.
But I’m optimistic that a deal gets done. He is the Best Catcher in Baseball after all, and the Phillies market him as such. He has the fastest pop time in the game, the highest caught stealing rate at 46.7%, and threw out the most runners at 43, 16 more than the next best.
Watching him work behind the plate is a thing of beauty, and he needs to be in red pinstripes for the rest of his career.
5) Will the Pandemic Derail the Whole Season?
Ok, so this last one isn’t just a Phillies storyline, but it is arguably the most important one that impacts every team. Despite the feel-good vibes of Opening Day, the pandemic looms in the shadows like a hulking monster.
Baseball is not putting their players in a bubble. The Phillies will be traveling up and down the eastern seaboard, and it will take discipline to ensure they don’t go out and stay smart.
If they can do that, they will win the division and make the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
This season has been a long time coming, and despite the strangeness of it, it will feel good to have baseball back. Play ball!
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