Philadelphia Phillies Season Preview

The Philadelphia Phillies are going to be an interesting team to keep an eye during the 2018 MLB season. They finished with a 66-96 record in 2017, but many people feel like they could be better sooner rather than later.

When Philadelphia signed starting pitcher Jake Arrieta to a three-year deal worth $75 million, it sent shockwaves throughout the MLB world. It didn't seem to make sense for a couple of reasons. 1.) The Phillies aren't really that close to contending 2.) Arrieta chased the money instead of staying with the Chicago Cubs.

When Arrieta goes back to Chicago, he will definitely receive a standing ovation. The goal for Arrieta and the rest of the Phillies starting rotation is to be as dominant as they can possibly be. Aaron Nola, Jared Eickhoff, Vince Velasquez, and Nick Pivetta will be the other starters in the rotation and their average is 25.

The Phillies starting rotation has potential to turn heads in 2018. They won't be an easy starting rotation to face.

Hector Norris will be the Philadelphia Phillies closer in 2018. Other than the pitching staff, Philadelphia will have a decent lineup. The starters are projected to be: (C) Jorge Alfaro (1B) Carlos Santana (2B) Cesar Hernandez (SS) J.P. Crawford (3B) Maikel Franco (LF) Rhys Hoskins (CF) Odubel Herrera (RF) Nick Williams.

Key Backups: (C) Andrew Knapp, (IF) Jesmuel Valentin, (OF) Aaron Altherr, and (OF) Roman Quinn.

This team will be young and hungry early in the season. Gabe Kepler is the new manager for the Philadelphia Phillies and they will look to establish an identity as the season goes on.

The odds are the Phillies won't finish ahead of the Washington Nationals or the New York Mets in the National League East. It is possible for the Phillies to finish ahead of the Atlanta Braves and the Miami Marlins.

Philadelphia won't make it to the playoffs this season, but they could win 75-82 games this season.