The Philadelphia Phillies just want to win. Too often, clubs have left fans brutally disappointed by not meeting expectations. It has been especially true for 2023, where high-paying teams have underperformed the most. But not the Phils, who are on a red-hot winning streak, determined to bring back the charm of 2022. Possibly making it even more magical, especially when they have Bryce Harper by their side.
Coming into 2023, the New York Mets, the New York Yankees, and the San Diego Padres were at the top of the MLB payroll roster. None of these teams made it to October and their seasons ended in more losses than victories. But not the fourth-place Phillies. The club is now in its second straight postseason run, going to the NLCS. Reliever Jeff Hoffman believes there’s just something special about these guys.
Jeff Hoffman Finds “Big-Money” Philadelphia Phillies “Unbelievable”
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Big paychecks do not guarantee a win, but they make the odds better. Or so it’s supposed to be, but too often, things go in the opposite direction. MLB has witnessed it all too often, but somehow, the Philadelphia Phillies keep proving them wrong.
Sitting at the fourth place in payrolls, it’s the second straight October for the team. Jeff Hoffman believes the players consisting of the roster care more about numbers on the field rather than in bank accounts.
A lot of teams with huge payrolls fail to meet expectations. But the Phillies keep winning in October. Asked some guys about that.
Good answer from Jeff Hoffman: pic.twitter.com/2Yif2eYjhN
— Corey Seidman (@CSeidmanNBCS) October 13, 2023
The relief pitcher told Phillies reporter Corey Seidman, “Because the big-money guys we have are just guys. They’re team guys. They want to win. I can’t say enough about that group, those quote big-money guys. They’re all just guys. I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s unbelievable.”
One of those “big-money” guys is the face of the franchise, Bryce Harper, who has been instrumental in helping his team to the playoffs. But for the star slugger, a huge contract does not equate arrogance in his own abilities. As humble as ever, the Fightin’ Phils are just here to win and they will do anything to make it to the top.
Bryce Harper Believes the Phillies Are Built for October
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Performance in the regular season matters; it’s what takes a club to the playoffs. But while some of those elite teams choke in October, others rise to the occasion beautifully. The Phillies have proven once again that they’re among the latter clubs.
READ MORE – Why Is Bryce Harper Already Parting Ways With Philadelphia After Moving in 5 Years Back?
“Our team is built for October,” Harper told Seidman after the team clinched a postseason berth. “We have a lineup built for that.” Playing from March to September cannot compare to playing in October after all.
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Ready for another NLCS, the Phillies now head to the second round against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Will they be able to make it to the Fall Classic again? Only time will tell.
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