Phillies Will Struggle To Start The Season: Philly Sports Chatter

WARMINSTER, PA —It's always difficult when you lose a World Series to get back to the Big Show.

For the Philadelphia Phillies, with how the odds are stacked against them to start the season Thursday, it might be even harder this year.

While superstar Bryce Harper might be on the mend from elbow surgery and return much sooner than expected, first baseman Rhys Hoskins suffered a torn ACL during an exhibition game Thursday and may be lost for the season.

Those are two big bats missing from the lineup. And while Hoskins is always criticized as a defensive liability, he's a team leader and someone you can pencil into the lineup every day. Not any more.

Meanwhile, this team always struggles with starting pitching depth. And that will be tested too to start the season as Ranger Saurez won't be ready to take his turn and prized phenom Andrew Painter is still being monitored.

So the outlook looks a little grim.

But then again, look at last year. This team was struggling so badly that it fired manager Joe Girardi and yet regrouped to not only make the playoffs but get to the World Series where the Phillies eventually lost to the Houston Astros.

An old baseball manager named Phil Garner once said: "It's not how you start the season but how you finish it."

And we learned that last year as the Phillies went against all odds and defeated the St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, and the San Diego Padres to get to its first World Series since 2009.

With baseball, anything is possible. It matters when a team gets streaky or when team chemistry starts to build.

The great thing about this team is that it's in good hands with Owner John Middleton and President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski.

Think of the two of them as Jeffrey Lurie and Howie Roseman. They are going to do everything possible to win, especially after getting a taste of the World Series. They smell championship.

It's not like the roster lacks talent.

On the pitching front, there's Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler. The bullpen has been bolstered for the 4,000th time as it is every season.

And the starting lineup is fueled by All-Star catcher JT Realmuto and home run hammer Kyle Schwarber. Of course, free agent acquisition Trea Turner will deliver the goods at shortstop and at the top of the lineup.

The Phillies will need to lean on rising stars Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott, and Brandon Marsh. Also, hopefully, outfielder Nick Castellanos can regain the slugging form that made him a standout in previous years.

Yes, baseball is back. And we're all anticipating a huge year for these Phillies after everything the team accomplished last year, Like Harry Kalas said, we have High Hopes.

We just might have to temper them for a little while to start the season.