MLB Network Host Says Phillies are Winning the World Series
Wednesday morning, a prominent host made a bold proclamation on MLB Network's morning show, MLB Central.
After running through the highlights from the Philadelphia Phillies' 12-7 victory over the Los Angeles Angels Tuesday night, hosts Mark DeRosa, Lauren Shehadi and Robert Flores transitioned to a conversation about the Phillies' postseason chances. Shehadi predicted that Philadelphia will not only return to the World Series in 2023 this fall, but that they'll win their first title since 2008.
"I'm sitting there last night, and I get a text from Lauren Shehadi," DeRosa said. "And what did you say? You said, '[the Phillies] are winning the World Series."
Shehadi confirmed the text she sent to her cohosts, explaining that her belief in the Phillies traces back to the start of the season.
"I called it in March," she said. "They have everything. Two games ago I was watching. Trea Turner threw it to first. Bryce Harper, a megastar, learning a new position at the big league level, all out trying to get it. They have heart and are fired-up."
Shehadi likes the team's makeup and synergy.
"They're connected with each other," Flores responded. "They're connected with the fan base."
Last fall, Philadelphia won their first six postseason games that they played at Citizens Bank Park. The club seemed to thrive off the energy radiating from the fans in a playoff atmosphere. The Phillies took a 2-1 lead in the World Series, but dropped three straight games to the Houston Astros, who won their second championship in six years. Two of those three losses came in Philadelphia.
Entering the final day of August, the Phillies have hit 57 home runs this month, the third-highest total for a team in the month of August, since 1900. Only the 2019 New York Yankees (74 HR) and 2019 Minnesota Twins (59 HR) have hit more long balls in the month of August than this year's team has.
Philadelphia entered June 3 with a 25-32 record. In the time since, the Phillies have a record of 48-26. The club has been playing phenomenal baseball over the past three months, and is in prime position to make another deep postseason run.
MLB Central airs each morning from 9:00 a.m. ET to 11:00 a.m. ET.
For more from Jack Vita, follow him on Twitter @JackVitaShow, and subscribe to his podcast, the Jack Vita Show, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Facebook, Amazon, iHeartRadio, and wherever podcasts are found.
