The Wild Card round of the MLB postseason begins today. While the Phillies have off today, it is prediction season. How far will the Phillies go? Will this be the year? Our Philly Sports Network Phillies team has got you covered.
Christopher Babos (@CBabosWrites)
NLCS: Phillies win 4-2 over Cubs
The Philadelphia Phillies will host the Chicago Cubs in the 2025 National League Championship Series (NLCS). Philadelphia will outlast the Dodgers, while the Cubs overcome the San Diego Padres before squeaking by the top-seeded Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS.
In the 2025 NLCS, the Phillies' lineup depth will be a significant advantage in a six-game series win over the Cubs. Edmundo Sosa comes up huge somewhere in this series. Jhoan Duran closes out two wins, including the road win that sends the Phillies back to the World Series for the first time since 2022.
ALCS: Yankees win 4-3 over Mariners
The New York Yankees will disappoint their forever-rival (the Boston Red Sox) in a three-game showdown for the right to advance to the American League Divisional Series (ALDS). The AL East champion Toronto Blue Jays actually win a playoff game in 2025, but not enough to get past the slugging Yankees in a four-game series loss. The Seattle Mariners ride Cal Raleigh’s bat to the ALCS following a five-game series win over the Cleveland Guardians.
In the 2025 ALCS, the Yankees do just enough to deny the Mariners their first trip to the World Series following a back-and-forth seven-game series. New York’s win is powered by Aaron Judge (who else?) and sets up a rematch of the 2009 World Series between the Yankees and the Phillies.
World Series: Phillies win 4-2 over the Yankees
The Phillies’ starting pitchers confuse Yankees hitters with multiple 6+ inning starts over a six-game series win. Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber will power the offense, including a walk-off Schwarbomb to create a new core memory for Phillies fans all around the world. Duran closes out the win on the road before Philadelphia fittingly pops champagne bottles on their bench boss inside Yankee Stadium, where Thomson spent 28 seasons as an assistant coach in Yankee pinstripes.
World Series MVP: Trea Turner - .350 Batting Avg & 5+ Stolen Bases
Trea Turner won the National League batting crown with a .304 average during the 2025 season, with a renewed focus on contact over power at the top of the Phillies lineup. Once on base, he swiped 36 bases that will be sure to put opposing pitchers on notice in pressure-filled postseason situations. Turner will improve his on-base rate during the postseason with a +.350 batting average with 5+ stolen bases during Philly’s playoff run.
Phillies Hot Take: Aaron Nola Finds Success in the Bullpen
Given their success this season, the postseason rotation should be Cristopher Sanchez (2.50 earned run average), Ranger Suarez (3.92 ERA), and Jesus Luzardo (3.92 ERA). Aaron Nola (6.01 ERA) gets a spot if/when needed. However, the move to the bullpen for the postseason provides Rob Thomson a trusted righty to turn to. Nola will give up a tough homerun somewhere along the way, but he keeps his ERA below 4.00 for the postseason.
Final notes: The MLB playoffs are like spinning a roulette wheel in Atlantic City. You can try to guess the combination that is about to occur, but odds are you will probably be wrong. There is nothing like the show (and drama) that comes with postseason baseball. Last year showed the city how quickly the ride can end. Hopefully, the 2025 rollercoaster has a few more twists and turns this time around.
What is written above is my optimal ride… the real thing likely won’t be that easy. But hey – the 2024 Eagles dominated the NFL playoffs on the way to a win at Super Bowl LIX – maybe the Phillies can follow suit for a second party on Broad Street this calendar year.
Cory Nidoh (@Cory_Nidoh)
NLCS: Team Phillies win 4-2 over the Brewers
The top two teams in the National League clash for the pennant with the Phillies jumping out to a 3-2 series lead after taking two of three games at a raucous Citizens Bank Park. That momentum carries over back to Milwaukee to clinch the series in six games advancing to the World Series. Philadelphia’s better starting rotation with Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper's ability to shine when the lights are the brightest gives the Phillies the advantage in this series against a Brewers team who has cooled down tremendously.
ALCS: Mariners win 4-3 over the Yankees
Two of the hottest teams in September will collide as the two frontrunners for AL MVP in Aaron Judge and Cal Raleigh will try to help slug their team to victory. The Mariners have a deeper starting rotation for a best-of-seven series which gives them a slight edge. Adding to it a hungry fan base hoping to see their team make the World Series for the first time in franchise history gives the M’s the extra juice needed to squeak past last year’s AL Champions.
World Series: Phillies win 4-2 over the Mariners
This just seems like this is the year for the Phillies. Losing ace Zack Wheeler due to his blood clot, overcoming the loss of Jose Alvarado early in the season forcing the front office to go out and get Jhoan Duran who is a difference maker at the back end of the bullpen gives this team extra motivation and firepower needed.
Schwarber and Harper have become postseason heroes and having an even healthier Trea Turner at this time will only bolster a strong lineup. Red October and the environment will be too much to overcome for the Mariners as the Phillies continue their dominance at home (55-26 in regular season) and win Game 6 in front of their faithful to hoist the World Series Trophy for the first time since 2008.
World Series MVP: Kyle Schwarber
Kyle Schwarber owns a .906 OPS with 21 home runs in 69 career playoff games. He will continue to showcase his power when it matters most, leading the Phillies with a big offensive series to cap off his impressive season. He hits multiple home runs with one being either a go-ahead or game winning blast to cement himself for the award.
Phillies Hot Take:
Alec Bohm becomes the feared hitter in this lineup in big moments. The third baseman has been red hot since his return from the IL slashing .459/.475/.703 with a 1.178 OPS over the last two weeks. That trend continues and he steps up in a couple of big spots to be the unsung hero.
Final notes:
As much as this seems like the year for the Phillies to win it with what the future outlook of the team potentially looking quite different roster construction wise, the offense cannot go cold like it has in the past two trips to the postseason. The old adage good pitching neutralizes good hitting has creeped up on this team each of the last two Octobers. However, the third time could be the charm.
Kyle Fisher (@KyleFisher45)
NLCS: Phillies win 4-2 over Padres
Padres have the best bullpen in the game, but the Phillies have pummeled relievers all season long. They have the top slugging percentage and OPS against relievers, their K-rate against bullpens is 6th in MLB, and they’re tied for 8th least GIDP against relievers.
Their starting pitching will keep them in games long enough to get to the Padres pen, and they will take another trip to the World Series
ALCS: Yankees win 4-3 over Mariners
Seattle has strong starting pitching, but the Yankees have the best hitter in the world. I see a scenario where Judge is avoided at all cost through the first six games, but comes up in a spot in Game 7 where you can’t intentionally walk him and he delivers a dagger.
World Series: Phillies wins 4-2 over Yankees
Philly rides their 3 lefties, only allowing Judge to be a true threat (and Chisholm, probably. He kills the Phillies).
Remember what I said about Philadelphia’s offense destroying relievers? Yankee relievers allow the highest % of fly balls for home runs in the playoff field (3rd worst in MLB overall). Philly had the 4th most fly balls this season against relievers. In Yankee stadium and Citizens Bank Park, there’s an ever greater chance that Global’s find the seats.
In an era of high bullpen usage and quick hooks in the playoffs, the trend of the Phillies smashing relievers will be what gets them to the coveted championship.
World Series MVP: Cristopher Sanchez
Sanchez will win both his starts in the series, and may even throw an inning in relief in the final game. He may finish 2nd in Cy Young, but he will leave the season with some hardware
Phillies Hot Take: Nick Castellanos wins the team at least 2 games with big hits late
This season has been an odd one for Casty. From losing playing time, to memorable interviews - there always seems to be something for the media to write about the veteran right-hander.
Even with all that, Nick is a guy who loves the moment and has the swagger to come up big when needed. A right-handed bat to help lefties Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber will be key.
Also, Nick has begun to get comfortable in his new role in September, coming up with pinch hits and actually performing better overall against RHP (.706 OPS) than LHP (.612 OPS). His .733 OPS with runners in scoring position in the final mi th are signs of things to come
Final notes:
Bryce Harper is one of the greatest ever postseason performers. He will remind people of that this year, despite a “down season” by his standards. Everything else won’t matter when the lights are turned on and his adrenaline starts flowing. The greatest showman will show out once again on the biggest stage and be the playoff MVP overall.
Matt Watson (@MattWatsonMedia)
NLCS: Phillies win 4-3 over Brewers
After taking the Los Angeles Dodgers through a five-game slugfest, the Phillies will have to go the distance once again. Facing off against the top team in baseball, the Phillies will have to rely on their baseball fundamentals to beat the Brewers. If they play clean baseball, they will overcome Milwaukee to win their ninth National League title.
ALCS: Mariners win 4-1 over Yankees
A showdown between the two MVP favorites in the American League Championship series would be must-see TV. Seattle made the right moves at the trade deadline to put themselves in position to win. Combined with an elite pitching staff, the Mariners will have what it takes to overcome last season’s AL champs, the New York Yankees.
World Series: Phillies win 4-2 over Mariners
After going toe to toe with the best in the National League, I have the Phillies overcoming the Mariners in the World Series. A battle-tested group that has gone to four straight playoff appearances will know how to get the job done. Learning from their 2022 series with the Astros and using past failures, the Phillies will finally rise to the occasion.
World Series MVP: Bryce Harper
Bryce Harper has a tendency to shine in the postseason, and the World Series will not be any different. Harper will play his best baseball of his career in the World Series, leading the Phillies to their third World Series crown.
Phillies Hot Take: Tanner Banks will win NLCS MVP.
Tanner Banks has been an underrated part of the 2025 Philadelphia Phillies. If this season has any indication for his playoff outlook, Banks will be used in big spots come playoff time. I foresee the left-handed reliever locking down high-leverage spots in the NLCS, earning him the honors of MVP.
Final notes:
Despite losing Zack Wheeler, this iteration of the Phillies will be the best group they have taken to the playoffs. With contracts coming to a finish and age being a factor, the future is not guaranteed for this group. The time is now for the Philadelphia Phillies to capture glory once again.
Alec Kostival (@KostivalonBase)
NLCS: Phillies win 4-2 over Padres
Welcome back 2022. That’s what’s in!
Yep, the rematch no one really asked for. Phillies will get to the Padres’ starters early, so they’ll always be playing from behind. Close series, but still Phillies in six.
ALCS: Blue Jays win 4-1 over the Mariners
The Mariners seemingly have an easy path to the ALCS. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays have to fight one of their AL East rivals.
Blue Jays have just as good of a starting staff as Seattle but with way better hitters. Seattle will stay quiet offensively and Toronto will win the series easily.
World Series: Phillies win 4-2 over the Blue Jays
Closure on 1993 sure would be nice. It’s been 32 years, time to shut the door on macho row’s shortcomings.
I’m scared this matchup would be a bare knuckle fist fight. I think the Phillies get to the Blue Jays’ bullpen and take 2 come from behind victories. Yes, Jeff Hoffman gets walked off.
World Series MVP: Max Kepler
Doesn’t a Max Kepler World Series home run feel inevitable? Well, make it a couple with 2 key doubles. I have a weird gut feeling on this one.
Phillies Hot Take: Phillies biggest threat is the Dodgers
If that NLDS does happen, it feels 50/50. If the Dodgers can figure out their bullpen, no one will stop them from repeating.
Final notes:
The Phillies are sending their most consistent team to the postseason in this run. If they can’t win it, it might be time to shuffle some pieces.
Shaun Nestor (@shaun_nestor)
NLCS: Phillies win 4-2 over Cubs
The once red-hot Milwaukee Brewers have gone a little cold as of late, and I think the Chicago Cubs have what it takes to shut them down. The Phillies, however, took four of six from the Cubs, having won both the home and away series against them this season. The Cubs will put up a fight, but the Phillies will come out on top.
ALCS: Guardians win 4-3 over Yankees
This one could be the best series of the postseason. The red-hot Guardians duking it out with the boys from the Bronx? Jose Ramirez versus Aaron Judge will be a fun matchup to watch, with the Guardians upsetting the Yankees in a shocking Game 7.
World Series: Phillies win 4-2 over Guardians
This matchup would feature two stadiums that showed up in recent DC movies, fun fact!
The Phillies finally bring the trophy home. The Guardians try to hold off the Phillies, but in the end they can’t keep up with a Phillies’ offense firing at all cylinders.
World Series MVP: Bryce Harper
This has been a relatively quiet season for The Showman. With a taste for the lights of Red October and a flair for the dramatic, Bryce Harper will take care of business throughout the postseason.
Phillies Hot Take: Harrison Bader walks it off
Harrison Bader has been a huge addition as of late for the Phillies. At some point in the postseason, he will get all of the attention as he walks it off for the Phillies in dramatic fashion.
Final notes:
This Phillies team is, on paper, I’d argue the best of this generation of Phillies playoff teams. The only question now is will they convert, or will John Middleton’s trophy case collect dust for another year?
Any other predictions?
Share your predictions down in the comments or let us know on X (@PhiladelphiaSN & @shaun_nestor).
