Early record predictions, award picks, and more of what they’re saying about the Phillies ahead of their season opener
Return to the playoffs? Wheeler’s Cy Young season? Crawford’s rookie breakout? Depends who’s predicting.
The Phillies will open the season against the Texas Rangers on Thursday at Citizens Bank Park as they prepare for a new season with the same goal and the same core that has brought the team four consecutive postseason appearances.
Heading into this season, there will be plenty of storylines to keep an eye on. From the team’s aging core to Justin Crawford’s Rookie of the Year odds, here’s what they’re saying about the Phillies ahead of their season opener …
NL East predictions
After winning back-to-back NL East titles, two of five CBS Sports analysts are choosing the Phillies to win their third straight title this season.
“The Phillies’ core, led by Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, is nearing the end of its window,” wrote CBS Sports’ Julian McWilliams. “This is the moment to capitalize before that opportunity slips. They should win the division, but the question remains how much longer this group can sustain its run.”
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However, three of those analysts are choosing the Mets to take the division.
“I know the projection systems love the Braves but I just do not see it at all,” wrote CBS Sports’ Kate Feldman. “The Mets and Phillies are pretty close to interchangeable at the top but I really like how David Stearns shook up the roster so aggressively this winter. The old Mets couldn’t win. Let’s see the new Mets try. The Phillies, on the other hand, are pretty much running it back and an already aging team is even older now.”
‘The Phillies will miss the playoffs’
While CBS Sports analysts are divided between the Mets and Phillies on who will take the NL East, MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince had a different prediction for the Phillies. After four consecutive postseason appearances, Castrovince believes they will miss the playoffs this year.
“Have you noticed Midsummer Classic hosts have been kinda cursed in recent years,” Castrovince wrote. “The 2023 Mariners had a 90% chance of reaching the playoffs and were in first place in the AL West on Sept. 2 but finished out of the running. The 2024 Rangers were the defending champs and finished with a losing record. The 2025 Braves were out of it long before the All-Star break arrived.
“Maybe the Phils can break that troubling trend, but their average age — while not quite 250, like the U.S. — is certainly getting up there, and it remains to be seen how much youngsters Justin Crawford and Andrew Painter can move the needle for them in meaningful roles.”
In terms of who will win the East, Castrovince is picking the Mets.
Justin Crawford wins Rookie of the Year
Phillies rookie outfielder Justin Crawford was drafted by the team with the 17th overall pick in the 2022 MLB draft. Crawford’s odds for winning Rookie of the Year were listed at 20-1 with Mets Nolan McLean (+250) and Pittsburgh Pirates’ Konnor Griffin (+330) as the early favorites.
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However, 97.5 Fanatic’s Dylan Mackinnon believes Crawford could walk out with the award.
“Crawford is the Phillies’ everyday outfielder,” Mackinnon wrote. “He is going to play a lot of games. At the bottom of the lineup, his protection is going to be Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, and Bryce Harper, meaning he will get pitches to hit. And we know with his speed, if he gets on base, he will rack up steals.
“All of that is a recipe for him to get a lot of love for Rookie Of The Year. He won’t have many HRs, which might hurt his case. But he can make up for that with great defense, steals, and doubles. It is a tough, crowded race for NL Rookie of the Year. But it being so open might help a dark horse, like Crawford, sneak in.”
