pitching depth

As the Phillies prepare for Game 1 of the National League Division Series, some familiar postseason truisms come into focus. One widely held belief is that division winners with byes, like the Phillies, may be at a disadvantage due to the five-day layoff. Recent history seems to support this — five teams with 100+ wins over the past two seasons have failed to advance, often without even pushing their series to the limit. However, the Phillies have thrived entering the playoffs through the wild card in recent years and now enjoy the advantage of home-field dominance. With a 54-26 record at Citizens Bank Park this season, their path to the World Series may be closely tied to their ability to maintain that home field magic.

Still, momentum matters too. Teams that enter the postseason on a hot streak often stay hot, while those that stumble risk an early exit. The Phillies have been streaky, finishing 4-6 in their last 10 games, and will need to find their groove quickly to keep their championship hopes alive. Ultimately, their pitching trio of Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sanchez, and Aaron Nola could be key, but with bullpen depth, the Phillies have the tools to make a deep run — if they can overcome the usual pitfalls of postseason play.