In 2024, the Philadelphia Phillies ended the regular season with the second-best record in both the National League and all of Major League Baseball, trailing only the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are now just one game away from clinching the World Series title. This season marked a turning point for the Phillies as they topped the NL East for the first time, having entered the playoffs as a Wild Card team in the previous two seasons. However, this top finish has sparked debate on whether being a frontrunner all season is advantageous. One former Phillies star, World Series closer Brad Lidge, shared his insights on the team’s approach and the changes he believes could lead to success next year.
The Phillies made an impressive start to the 2024 season, earning them high praise and expectations. They boasted Cy Young contenders, an MVP favorite, and were widely considered World Series favorites by midseason. Yet, despite their early-season momentum, their performance faltered as the season progressed. Though they secured the No. 2 seed in the NL and earned a first-round bye, the Phillies’ late-season struggles spilled over into the playoffs, resulting in a disappointing NLDS loss to the New York Mets in four games. The team, organization, and fans were left disheartened, questioning how such a talented roster fell short. Brad Lidge weighed in on the team’s shortcomings, pointing out that perhaps a change in timing and strategy is needed for the Phillies’ future.
Reflecting on their early clinch of the NL East title, Lidge speculated that the Phillies might fare better if they didn’t lead the division until late September, allowing them to peak at the right moment. “Maybe that’s the missing recipe,” Lidge suggested in an interview with Phillies Nation’s Ty Daubert. While Lidge emphasized that the Phillies have the talent to remain competitive in the coming years, he hinted that a new approach might be essential to keep their championship window open.
Lidge’s comments touch on a broader playoff trend: teams that get hot just before the playoffs often have an advantage over top-seeded teams who have to sit during a first-round bye. The Mets and Detroit Tigers exemplified this trend in 2024, as did the 2022 Phillies team that made a deep postseason run as a Wild Card. Sitting idle for a week can disrupt the rhythm of even the most skilled teams, which is why Lidge believes that a Wild Card entry may be more favorable for teams aiming to hit their stride at the right time.
However, executing this “Wild Card blueprint” presents a dilemma. It’s not realistic or straightforward to ask a team to ease up during the regular season just to time a playoff surge. While the theory is enticing, the practicality of consistently implementing it remains a challenge. The Phillies are undeniably talented and positioned for future success, but, as Lidge suggests, they may need to adapt their approach to navigate the evolving playoff landscape. Whether they enter as division champions or Wild Card contenders, the Phillies can only focus on maximizing their potential as they continue to pursue a championship.
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