PHILADELPHIA − When we last saw the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, it was Game 5 of the World Series on Nov. 3, and the sold-out crowd was ear-splittingly loud, desperately hoping for another “Bedlam at the Bank” moment.
Alas, it was not to be. Bryce Harper didn’t hit the game-winning two-run homer that night like he did to clinch the NLCS. So the Phillies lost 3-2, falling into a 3-2 hole to the Houston Astros. They lost the World Series two nights later in Game 6 in Houston.
Since then, Harper had surgery on his elbow, Rhys Hoskins was lost for the season with a torn ACL, and starting pitchers Ranger Suarez and phenom Andrew Painter were placed on the injured list.
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All of this has contributed to the Phillies’ 1-5 start after six straight road games − they lost all three to the Texas Rangers and two of three to the Yankees. So far, not even shortstop Trea Turner’s arrival has offset the disappointing first week of the season.
But the Phillies are finally back at Citizens Bank Park for their opener today, a game pushed back a day because of inclement weather. The atmosphere will be similar to that Game 5 of the World Series. Citizens Bank Park will be sold out with about 45,000 fans in attendance, all receiving a 2022 National League Champions pennant as a reminder of how magical last season was.
Here are three thoughts as to how the Phillies can overcome their slow start:
Today’s lineup
The Phillies announced before the game that first baseman Darick Hall, who was replacing Hoskins, was placed on the 10-day IL with a thumb sprain. Infielder Kody Clemens was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to take his place.
Zack Wheeler (0-1, 8.31 ERA) is the Phillies starting pitcher. The Reds are going with Hunter Greene (0-0, 8.10 ERA).
- Trea Turner, SS
- Kyle Schwarber, DH
- J.T. Realmuto, C
- Nick Castellanos, RF
- Bryson Stott, 2B
- Alec Bohm, 3B
- Jake Cave, LF
- Kody Clemens, 1B
- Brandon Marsh, CF
1. Bryce Harper could be back sooner than you think
It’s quite possible that fans arriving early Friday might even see Harper take batting practice. The Phillies have BP from 12-12:45, and gates open at 12:35. Harper took some swings for the first time Tuesday in New York, and it stands to reason that he’d take some more Friday. Harper is rehabbing his way back from offseason elbow surgery. The Phillies haven’t given a definitive timeline for Harper’s return, but it’s possible that it’ll be sometime in May. If the Phillies had put Harper on the 60-day injured list to start the season, he wouldn’t be eligible to return until May 29 at the earliest.
But a return certainly isn’t imminent. After all, Harper hasn’t had a spring training. So he’ll have to go on a rehab assignment to the minor leagues, perhaps a lengthy one, to get his timing back. That won’t help the Phillies much in the short term. But it’s a long season, and the Phillies were 8 games below .500 last year on May 31. So there is still plenty of time.
2. Bohm’s away?
Replacing Harper’s and Hoskins’ production (48 homers combined last season) was never going to be easy. But the Phillies did sign Turner to an 11-year contract worth $300 million, and his past history suggests that he can make up for at least half of that total. The other half could come from the combination of third baseman Alec Bohm and second baseman Bryson Stott.
Bohm is actually one of the few Phillies hitters off to a good start. He has a homer and 2 doubles in the first six games, and an OPS of 1.073 (an OPS of .800 is considered above average). Bohm hit 13 homers last season, but only four came before July 1. Stott, in his second year, also had a dreadful start to 2022. He, too, turned it around in the second half.
Bohm could actually see more time at first base with Hall on the IL after spraining his thumb sliding into second base against the Yankees. Either way, Bohm seems poised for a breakout.
3. Favorable schedule
After opening their season with 6 straight road games, the Phillies will play 13 of their next 20 games at home, and all but three of those games are against non-playoff teams from 2022. There’s this three-game set vs. the Reds, followed by three against the Miami Marlins before four games on the road against the Reds and three more against the White Sox. The Phillies will return home to face the Rockies and Mariners (the only playoff team).
What’s more, the Phillies won’t face the Braves until May 25 and the Mets until May 30. By then, there’s a good chance that Harper will be back.
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.
