Could the Phillies surpass the Braves in the NL East? There’s a strong belief within the Phillies organization, especially as the Braves make changes to their roster. In the initial encounters, the Braves realized the Phillies were closer in competition than they initially thought.
The Phillies, having finished 14 games behind the Braves in the last two seasons, have proven their mettle by defeating their main rival in consecutive divisional-round playoff series.
Despite the offseason moves, with the Braves aggressively pursuing Aaron Nola and the Phillies securing their homegrown No. 2 starter, the competition remains intense. The Braves have made significant adjustments to their 40-man roster, adding new players to the bullpen and exploring options for starting pitching.
In contrast, the Phillies are focusing on refining the margins of their roster, expressing confidence in the majority of last season’s team.
President of baseball operations, Dave Dombrowski, highlights the Phillies’ improved outfield defense with Bryce Harper at first base. While the Braves maintain a strong core, there are concerns about the sustainability of their historically powerful offense. The Phillies see potential for growth, especially with players like Trea Turner expected to perform more consistently in their second season.
As the Phillies aim to fill specific positions in their roster, manager Rob Thomson is determined to address slow starts in April and May.
Reflecting on the NL Championship Series collapse, Thomson is optimistic about the team’s potential but acknowledges the need for improvements, both in player performance and strategic decisions.
Dombrowski emphasizes the importance of not becoming complacent after a successful season, drawing from his experience with the Red Sox in 2018. The Braves, too, are hungry for success, with new additions like Jarred Kelenic and a potential focus on acquiring a starting pitcher.
Despite consecutive playoff victories, the Phillies and Braves are closely matched, with the question being how close the Phillies can come to surpassing the Braves in the regular season and whether it ultimately matters.
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