The Philadelphia Phillies have proven they can compete for a National League pennant over the last three seasons, yet a World Series has eluded them. In another year with World Series expectations, the Phillies have improved their win total each season but have bounced out of the playoffs one round earlier.

Last season, the Phillies rarely deviated from having Kyle Schwarber lead off, letting the DH set the tone 149 times in 162 games. It worked, of course, as the team won 95 games and dominated for most of the spring and summer.