Philly Leader

The Philadelphia Phillies are gearing up for their 143rd season with a game against the Washington Nationals this Thursday. This marks the first time since 2010 that the Phillies are opening their season in Washington, the last time being a memorable game for Roy Halladay's debut.

The Phillies have reason to be hopeful this year. Despite finishing last season with a 51-51 record, including a loss in the NLDS to the Mets, they still managed to clinch the NL East title for the first time since 2011. According to FanGraphs, only the Dodgers and Braves are projected to win more games than the Phillies this season.

Several players have shown promise during spring training, offering further optimism for the upcoming season. Cristopher Sánchez's performance has been particularly noteworthy, with 19 strikeouts and only two walks in 16 2/3 innings. He has improved his sinker velocity and believes his changeup and slider have also developed.

Max Kepler, who has recently recovered from abdominal surgery, batted .375 and made mechanical adjustments to his swing. Kepler is now playing a complementary role with the Phillies, possibly leading to less pressure and better results.

Bryson Stott, who played injured last season, aims to recapture his 2023 form after showing improvements in his swing. Brandon Marsh demonstrated his ability to perform against left-handed pitchers, contributing positively to the team's dynamics.

Lastly, José Alvarado has shown marked improvement with 20 strikeouts in nine innings. He has focused on hard work to rectify his previous season's underperformance.

The Phillies hope these players' spring performances will carry into the regular season and that the team's overall strength will lead to a successful year.