Mets NL East Sunday Battleground: 2021 season predictions

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 03: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets reacts after hitting a two-run walk-off home run during the tenth inning against the New York Yankees at Citi Field on September 03, 2020 in the Queens borough of New York City. The Mets won 9-7. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 03: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets reacts after hitting a two-run walk-off home run during the tenth inning against the New York Yankees at Citi Field on September 03, 2020 in the Queens borough of New York City. The Mets won 9-7. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Sep 27, 2020; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Bryce Harper (3) laughs at a strike call during the final regular season game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Philadelphia Phillies at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Mary Holt-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2020; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Bryce Harper (3) laughs at a strike call during the final regular season game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Philadelphia Phillies at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Mary Holt-USA TODAY Sports /

Phillies

I feel like it’s the same story with the Phillies every year. Since they had Roy Halladay leading their loaded rotation back in 2011, I don’t recall the Phillies having good pitching. They went through their rebuilding years and now appeared to be done with that after signing Bryce Harper. But with Harper, the Phillies have not finished above .500. The reason for this is their pitching. It’s just really bad.

Last season the Phillies had one of the worst bullpens of all time. Their bullpen ERA was an absurd 7.06 and they just kept blowing games late. They signed guys like Archie Bradley and Brandon Kintzler and traded for Jose Alvarado but is that good enough? I don’t think so.

Their top two in the rotation are very good in Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler. After that they have Zach Eflin, Vince Velasquez, Spencer Howard, Matt Moore, and Chase Anderson to fill the final three spots. Is that good enough? I don’t think so.

Their lineup is very good and should score a ton of runs. Harper and Realmuto are stars and Alec Bohm looks like a future all-star as well.

But the issue with this year for the last couple of years and this year is pitching. They are not deep enough in their rotation or good enough at all in their bullpen to be considered a top team in baseball’s hardest division.

I think they’ll still win games because of their lineup but with the question marks revolving around their pitching I can’t see them coming close to a division title this year. Nola and Wheeler are good, get them some help and then we can talk about a division crown.

Record: 82-80