The Philadelphia Phillies made a significant playoff run last year, but despite their success, one glaring weakness persisted throughout the season—starting pitching depth. While the team boasted an impressive lineup and a formidable bullpen, the starting rotation often struggled to provide consistency. This issue could still be a point of concern as the Phillies head into the new season.
Key pitchers like Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler delivered strong performances, but beyond them, the Phillies struggled to find reliable options. The inconsistency of the middle and back-end rotation led to a number of blown leads and long-term fatigue for the bullpen. This lack of depth not only impacted the team’s performance throughout the regular season but also in high-stakes games where quality starts are crucial.
Despite off-season moves to bolster the roster, the Phillies are still grappling with how to fill the gaps in their rotation. While some prospects may offer potential, it remains to be seen whether they can perform at the major league level consistently. In a competitive National League East, the success of the Phillies in 2025 will largely depend on how effectively they can address their pitching issues.
With a powerful offense and a dependable bullpen, the Phillies are close, but without solving their starting pitching depth problem, they may find it difficult to sustain success throughout the long season.
