After losing in the World Series two seasons ago and the National League Championship Series last year, will the Phillies’ season end in heartbreak again? Or will they bring home a title?

I honestly don’t know.

The Braves will probably be strong again, so the Phillies could have to fight for a Wild Card spot again. However, if they can actually start this season off strong and not get too far behind the Braves in the N.L. East (like last year), winning the division could be a possibility. But the Phillies have had the Braves’ number in the playoffs recently, so there’s that…

But a lot of people think the Phillies did not make enough moves in the offseason, especially with pitching. They signed Kolby Allard and Spencer Trunbull, who may open the season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, unless he can make the bullpen, according to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki. So, nothing crazy on that front

But here’s my opinion— the Phillies were one game away from making the World Series for two straight years. And it wasn’t the pitching that hurt the Phillies, really. The big bats did not show up, especially in that Game 7. We can put blame on Craig Krimbel after that epic collapse in Game 4, but the Phillies managed to score just two runs in Game 7, and you can’t win that way. 

The goal should be to always improve each season, but the Phillies roster wasn’t bad. They could have won the World Series, and probably should have.

But the roster isn’t bad this season, despite basically having the same team.

The Phillies made sure they re-signed Aaron Nola, and losing him would have been bad. Having Zach Wheeler and Nola will be a strong duo again, and they have the stability with Christopher Sánchez, Taijuan Walker and Ranger Suarez. They do need another starter for depth, which could be lefty Jordan Montgomery.

The bullpen will most likely be Orion Kerkering, Connor Brogdon, Gregory Soto, Seranthony Domínguez, Dylan Covey, José Alvarado, Jeff Hoffman and Matt Strahm. 

Again, hopefully they will add someone in the bullpen or get another starter. Overall, the pitching should be fine. There’s competition there, and that’s not a bad thing.

But is there any reason to be concerned about the offense?

With Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, Bryson Stott, Nick Castellanos, Bryce Harper, Alec Bohm, Brandon Marsh and J.T. Realmuto all back, there shouldn’t be any reason at all.

Stott was batting great through late-August, but fell off a bit down the stretch. But I expect him to be back on track this season. Turner batted an outstanding .337 in his last 50 games. Bohm was one of the more reliable hitters in the team. 

Marsh underwent arthroscopic debridement surgery on his left knee recently and is expected to miss three or four weeks, but should be ready for Opening Day. He’s an important player for the Phillies, especially because he will most likely be the starter in left field.

Johan Rojas is one of my only concerns at the plate. He is a great defender, and may be the center field starter. But he has to be better at the plate. He did not do well offensively in the postseason, and that has to improve if Rojas will be a starter. Most likely he will be near the bottom of the lineup, so his numbers don’t have to be All-Star worthy, but he has to swing better. 

Defensively, I like Harper at first base. Obviously, the team does, too, otherwise they wouldn’t have parted ways with Rhys Hoskins. Stott is great at second, and Turner is a solid shortstop. Bohm will man down third, and Castellanos is great out in right field.

The addition of Whitt Merrifield will be helpful in some games when they play, along with guys like Christian Pache.

But having many of the same players is a sign of faith from the offense. It also brings out continuity and familiarity, and team chemistry is very important. Again, this team were World Series contenders the last two years., and they will be right there again this season.

So, can the Phillies bring home a championship this season? 

They could, but it’s a long season and anything can happen.  But one thing is for sure, after they were so close the last two seasons, the Phillies will definitely be motivated to bring home a title.