PHILADELPHIA -- Everything the Phillies have done this season, everything they will do in the second half, is framed around the World Series.
They want to win it.
They need to win it.
Kyle Schwarber is a free agent after the season. So are J.T. Realmuto and Ranger Suárez. The trio has been integral to the team’s success since it won the NL pennant in 2022. It is highly unlikely that all three return in 2026. Maybe only one or two do. Maybe none of them. How the Phillies play in October might determine that. And that makes the July 31 Trade Deadline and the weeks that follow incredibly fascinating.
How far will the front office go to upgrade the 26-man roster in the next couple weeks?
Does top prospect Andrew Painter join the rotation and make an impact?
Does Aaron Nola return to form following ankle and back injuries?
Does José Alvarado contribute in the season’s final weeks, following an 80-game suspension?
Does the offense find a way to produce more consistently?
Here is a look ahead at the second half:
One second half goal: Win the World Series
That’s it. Winning a World Series is incredibly difficult, of course. The Phillies have won just two in franchise history. But the Phillies are built to win. They have the fourth-highest payroll in baseball at $279.4 million, according to Spotrac. Stars like Bryce Harper (32), Trea Turner (32) and Zack Wheeler (35) are only going to be in their primes for so long. With Schwarber, Realmuto and Suárez becoming free agents after the season, they need to strike now.
Likely Trade Deadline strategy: Buy, buy, buy
But how much? And at what cost? The Phillies need a stud, late-inning reliever, preferably right-handed. But they could use two relievers to help a shaky bullpen. Are the Phils willing to trade one or more of their top prospects to make it happen? The Phillies could use a right-handed-hitting outfielder, too. But a big trade doesn’t guarantee anything and that’s a risk they must weigh: Mortgage the future for something that is far from guaranteed or not?
Key player: Harper
Harper spent most of June on the injured list because of inflammation in his right wrist. His first half numbers are far from what he expects from himself. But if Harper returns to form in the second half, the Phillies’ offense has an opportunity to take off, especially if Turner and Schwarber continue to produce as they did in the first half. While the bullpen has struggled, reinforcements could be coming. But what the Phillies have offensively is probably what they’re going to have the rest of the way, so getting MVP Harper back would be huge.
Prospect to watch: Painter
Painter is the organization’s most hyped pitching prospect since Cole Hamels. It’s a lot of pressure, but the Phillies think he can handle it. They said before the season started that they expected a July-ish promotion. If the promotion comes after the break or sometime in August, they need him to provide quality innings to possibly allow them to use a six-man rotation, keeping their veteran arms fresh for an October run.
Here is a look at the Phillies’ second-half schedule, which could impact whether they win the NL East or a NL Wild Card:
Games remaining: 66 (Home, 35; Away, 31)
Remaining strength of schedule: .497, 17th in MLB, 9th in NL, 5th in NL East
Key series:
Aug. 25-31: The Phillies play seven consecutive games against the Mets and Braves, starting with three games on the road in New York.
Sept. 8-11: Four-game series against the Mets at Citizens Bank Park. It’s the last time the Phillies and Mets will play each other in the regular season.
Sept. 15-21: The Phillies have a six-game road trip against the Dodgers and Diamondbacks.