The Atlanta Braves' faithful have watched the Philadelphia Phillies take the NL East crown for the past two years, a shift that's been hard to swallow after the Braves' seven-year reign. But that's the ebb and flow of competitive baseball.
The silver lining for Atlanta? Their young core is locked in for the foreseeable future, ensuring stability and keeping any talk of rebuilding at bay.
The Phillies, on the other hand, find themselves in a different scenario. With an aging roster, their championship window seems to be narrowing. Despite their efforts, a World Series title has eluded them, and there's a growing sense around the league that time isn't on their side.
In a recent analysis by The Athletic's Jayson Stark, a panel of 36 MLB insiders-comprising executives, former executives, managers, coaches, and scouts-was asked to weigh in on which teams are feeling the most pressure heading into the 2026 season. The Phillies' core group of Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, J.T.
Realmuto, Aaron Nola, and Zack Wheeler topped the list with 18 votes. Their talent is undeniable, but postseason success has remained out of reach.
“They’re getting older,” noted one rival executive. “They’ve run these guys out there.
They’ve spent the money. And now it’s showtime.”
For Braves fans, watching the Phillies struggle to clinch a World Series title is a source of quiet satisfaction. The executive's comments ring true: the Phillies have invested heavily in their roster, but age is catching up. The urgency for a championship push is palpable, though Braves supporters would prefer to see their rivals come up short while Atlanta adds another trophy to their collection.
This isn't unfamiliar territory for Phillies' president of baseball operations, Dave Dombrowski. Another executive compared the current Phillies' situation to Dombrowski's tenure with the Tigers, where an aging roster eventually faltered.
Harper, Schwarber, Turner, and Nola will each be 33 this season, while Realmuto turns 35 and Wheeler 36. The clock is ticking for this group to deliver.
If the Phillies don't turn things around soon, Dombrowski might find himself on the hot seat. Patience from both ownership and fans won't last indefinitely. Meanwhile, Braves fans are more than content to watch their rivals face these challenges, hoping Philadelphia's struggles continue as Atlanta eyes another championship run.