2026 MLB First-Half Recap: Philadelphia Phillies

The Pitching

The Good

It helps to have two pitchers who each have strong arguments to win the 2026 NL Cy Young Award.

Cristopher Sanchez‘s numbers have taken a hit after a couple of difficult starts before the All-Star Game break, including one in Kansas City earlier this month. Still, Sanchez had a historic first half, as he broke the records for the longest scoreless streaks for a Phillies pitcher and a left-handed pitcher in all of MLB history.

The 2026 NL All-Star Game starter entered the break with 144 strikeouts, the third-most in the Majors.

Zack Wheeler, meanwhile, was arguably the best pitcher in the game after he returned from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery recovery. Wheeler pitched fine during his rehab, even though the velocity hadn’t fully returned to that point. But for anyone who’s watched Wheeler over the years, one thing was very obvious: he doesn’t hit with velocity. Rather with movement, sequencing, and command.

It took some time for that velo to show up again. But from the onset, Wheeler was as dominant as ever. He won 10 of his first 15 starts, part of a run that saw him strike out 108 over 93 innings and post a 2.13 ERA. And in terms of wOBA, only two pitchers topped him.

Yes, Wheeler pitched like an All-Star, to say the least.

As for the offense, Kyle Schwarber has led the charge yet again. Sure, Schwarber has a K% just a tick above 35%, well above where he was last season. However, Schwarber has 32 home runs on the season, most in the Majors heading into the break. And those account for most of the 42 extra-base hits he has this season.

Bryce Harper had himself a great first half, although it certainly could have ended on a better note. Still, 20 home runs and an OPS just a tick below .870 are numbers that no Phillie fan should complain about.

Brandon Marsh, meanwhile, has been a very pleasant surprise for the Phillies. Marsh has always been a valuable hitter against righties. But in 2026, the outfielder has morphed into a reliable, everyday player for the Phillies.

Marsh finished the first half with a .301 average and 15 home runs.

The Bad

When the Phillies fired Rob Thomson in April, one could point to that, coupled with Wheeler’s return, as the turning points of the 2026 campaign. But it has not been an easy road back for Philadelphia.

The trio of Sanchez, Wheeler, and Jesús Luzardo was up to the task this year. However, it was not a good first half for either Aaron Nola or Andrew Painter.

Nola conceded 20 home runs over 97 innings this year, one of the reasons why the righty has an ERA north of 5.00. Painter, meanwhile, didn’t return to his true pre-surgery form last year in Triple-A. It wasn’t a bad year by any means but as we noted multiple times this year, the swing-and-miss was down.

Unfortunately, that was a harbinger of things to come, as Painter posted an ERA north of 7.00 in his first run at the big-league level. Ultimately, that earned the rookie a trip up to Allentown.

The Phillies’ pitching woes didn’t stop with the rotation. Tanner Banks and Jose Alvarado, both of whom are lefties who’ve been valuable for the Phillies, have been hit hard this year.

As for the offense, it’s been a very down year for Trea Turner, as well as for J.T Realmuto and Alec Bohm. Adolis Garcia slashed .195/.270/.329 with seven home runs before he went down to season-ending surgery.

Looking Ahead

The Phillies got ahead of the game when the team acquired Derek Hill from the White Sox. Hill’s been very productive offensively, as well as on defense. But for an October run, the Phillies are going to need more.

Ideally, a back-end starter, as well as another outfielder, should be in the cards. However, what the Phillies would be willing to part with to get help will be interesting to watch. Philadelphia burned through some prospect depth last year, and the system isn’t as deep compared to their peers in the NL.