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MLB Insider Has Bold Phillies Claim Amid Tightly Contested NL East

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matthew Sullivan | Last updated Jul 20, 2025 5:24 PM ET

Despite being atop the National League East, the Philadelphia Phillies aren't in the greatest shape. There are injuries on the roster, struggling players, and a massive issue in the bullpen.

Even with these issues, the team is still in solid shape to win the division. For MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today, those issues aren't a deterrent in predicting the Phillies to win the NL East crown at the end of the year.

"The Phillies," Nightengale writes, "Even with the third-worst defense in baseball, their lowest slugging percentage in seven years, and now third baseman Alec Bohm on the injured list with a fractured rib cage, still should win the division."

It's a bold stance to take, but when looking at the core pieces on the roster, it's a justifiable stance to take. There's one area of the roster that has been the Phillies' strength: the starting rotation.

Zack Wheeler, Ranger Suarez, Cristopher Sanchez, and Jesus Luzardo make up one of the best front-fours in baseball this season.

That doesn't even include Aaron Nola, who's nursing an injury, Mick Abel, who flashed in his MLB stint, and Andrew Painter, the team's top prospect who could make his debut soon. As Nightengale wrote, the Phillies' pitching staff is "perhaps the best in baseball."

The Phillies are 56-42, tied for the fifth-best record in baseball. Even though there are issues that need fixing, if those can get resolved, there might be no more dangerous team than the Phillies in the postseason.

Nightengale has a strong stance on the Phillies, believing they "should" win the NL East despite the issues on the roster. It's a bold claim, but thanks to the starting rotation, it's not outlandish.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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