With the Philadelphia Eagles’ season finished, attention in the city is beginning to turn back to the Phillies as spring training approaches. Fans are entering 2026 hopeful for a better ending than the past two years delivered.
Even after posting the second-best record in Major League Baseball and winning the NL East for the second straight season, the Phillies once again fell short in October. Following a first-round bye, they were matched up against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS a series that ended with the eventual World Series champions sending Philadelphia home early.
That outcome has left much of the fan base irritated, especially after back-to-back NLDS eliminations. Many were hoping for major roster changes, but the Phillies appear poised to bring back largely the same core for another run.
Still, national outlets remain high on Philadelphia. In the first power rankings of 2026, ESPN slotted the Phillies at No. 5, while MLB.com ranked them even higher at No. 4 placements that surprised some skeptical fans.
From a talent standpoint, the optimism makes sense. The Phillies boast one of the strongest starting rotations in baseball, filled with pitchers capable of Cy Young-level performances. The team also re-signed Kyle Schwarber, the 2025 NL MVP runner-up, to a five-year deal. Trea Turner enters the season as the reigning NL batting champion, Bryce Harper is expected to rebound, and the bullpen has added new pieces. On top of that, several top prospects are projected to make an impact at the big-league level in 2026.
On paper, the Phillies look like a legitimate World Series contender. However, fans remain unconvinced that this veteran-heavy core can finally break through after four postseason disappointments.
Philadelphia has been connected to several big-name free agents and trade rumors this winter, including All-Star infielder Bo Bichette. But so far, their most notable additions have been Adolis García and Brad Keller. While both can contribute, many fans expected bolder moves.
As it stands, there’s little consensus among the fan base that the Phillies are significantly better than they were a year ago—or that they’ve closed the gap enough to make a deep playoff run and topple the powerhouse Dodgers in 2026.
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