With the pageantry and spectacle of the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game behind them, the Phillies set their sights on the division and the postseason.

Are the Phillies World Series contenders? Could we see a Phillies-Yankees Fall Classic? The Mets will be sellers, and they’re flipping forward the calendar to next year.

With their 4-1 loss to the Mets Monday, the Phillies opened the unofficial second half of the season — 64 games left to play — with a 54-44 record and 2.5 games behind the Braves. One ESPN prognosticator gave them a 26.7 percent chance to win the division and a 3.4 percent chance to win the World Series.

Hmmm ….

The popular theory is what they will do in the much-anticipated and upcoming trade deadline Aug. 3 with the need of a left-handed reliever, right-handed bat, and a starting pitcher.

Suddenly, the need for a right-handed setup man is critical with Brad Keller being shut down for the season. Jonathan Bowlan is an in-house favorite for the role. Bowlan has been steady lately, and the Phils need to get a set bullpen instead of the constant shuttle to Lehigh Valley.

It’s hard to believe the Phils will fill all of their needs. Instead, it will come down to the nucleus of Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, Alec Bohm, Brandon Marsh and J.T. Relamuto.

It might be time to play Derek Hill — unless they get another bat — on a daily or near-daily basis because Gabriel Rincones Jr. can’t stay in the lineup hitting below .200.

A Year’s Difference ... Looking at the above-mentioned players, here are their last year’s stats and this year’s (beginning the second half), based on homers, RBIs and average:

2025 2026

Harper - 17, 40, .262 20, 57, .260

Turner - 11, 40, .299. 109 hits 10, 33, .236, 91

Schwarber - 32, 63, .244 32, 59, .254

Realmuto - 7, 54, ,261 7, 33, .206

Marsh - 3, 21, .233 15, 46, .301

Bohm - 8, 42, .287 11, 47, .215

Stott - 6, 38, .233 7, 42, .259

It’s ironic how some of these are very similar. Marsh has had the breakout year, and Turner and Bohm need to find a consistent stroke.

Turner had his best month in June hitting .269, but he has slumped with a .225 clip in July. Bohm’s best month was May at .277, but he dipped to .247 in June. In July, he is at .167.

Oh Nola ... Despite giving up three homers last night, Aaron Nola had two decent outings coming into the game. He had pitched a total of 12 innings, allowing 10 hits, five runs with 15 strikeouts and two walks.

Nola has been burned by facing the lineup the third time around, and the same thing happened last night. He left the game pitching six innings (into the seventh), issuing six hits, three runs, with four walks and six strikeouts.

But Nola has been burned via the long ball, as he has given up 23 homers. That ties him with Washington’s Zack Littell for the second most in baseball behind the Athletics’ Jeffrey Springs, who has given up 26.

The Phillies have allowed 118 as a staff, fifth worst in the National league and eighth worst in the majors.

No June Swoons ... From June 1 to the All-Star Game, Toronto had the best record at 25-11 followed by Houston (24-12), Milwaukee (23-12), Boston (23-13) and Baltimore (22-14) as the top five.

The Phillies were 18-18, and the Yankees and Mets were both 18-19.

From July through September last season, Toronto went 48-30 to win the American League East.

Miller Time ... My Big Apple sources tell me that the Yankees are big game hunting for Padres closer Mason Miller as either their set-up man or closer.

David Bednar has pitched well overall — he truly pitches and doesn’t just throw hard — and doesn’t necessarily need to be replaced.

The Padres are looking for a starting pitcher and a bat. Dave Weathers, an ex-Padre, or Will Warren along with either Jasson Dominguez or Spencer Jones could fill the bill. Top prospect George Lombard Jr. might be a push, but the Yanks may have to toss in another player or two.

Barring injury, the Yanks’ starting pitching should be fine. Detroit’s Tarik Skubal would require a larger haul, and the Yanks’ glaring need now is in their back end.

Met Movers ... The Mets are expected to be sellers at the trade deadline, and their bullpen will be a hot commodity.

The Phillies will be among several teams that will be looking at lefty reliever Brooks Raley, who has been their most effective from the portside. Before the second half began, Raley had a 4-4 with a 2.04 ERA.

A.J. Minter is another lefty who recently returned from an injury. Minter has had a productive history, and he had a 1-1, 1.42 mark.

Huascar Brazoban has been their most effective right-handed reliever with a 4-2, 2.76 slate. Brazoban easily could fill Keller’s spot.

There could be other arms on the block, but the Mets’ pen will likely be picked apart.

Starter Freddy Peralta, who has been a major disappointment, is the likeliest to go because of this being his walk year. Peralta’s best bet is San Diego, but the Cubs are in the mix since Milwaukee acquired Lance McCullers from Houston.

Francisco Lindor has a no-trade clause, but it is becoming more evident that his time in New York is near the end. The Yankees, Dodgers and Rays are back in the mix as a possible landing spot.

The Mets won’t touch rookies outfielders Carson Benge and A. J. Ewing and pitchers Nolan McLean and Christian Scott, And, of course, Juan Soto, who has been playing well the last few months.

Poll Question ... In a recent Times News Sports Facebook poll, the question was posed on what will be the Phillies biggest need at the trade deadline?

Will it be a right-handed bat, a left-handed relief pitcher or a starting pitcher?

A starting pitcher took the top spot with 45 percent followed closely by a left-handed reliever at 41 percent. Getting a right-handed bat was at 14 percent.

Readers Write

Take the Bull

Dear Jeff,

They need bullpen help! They are terrible except Duran. A set-up man who can be consistent and not give away walks would be great.

Their second need is a strong fourth starter. Although Nola has been a little better in his past two starts, he still gives up way too many runs and home runs.

Hill has been a good pickup, and Rincones has been adjusting, so ride the season with the platoon and go get pitching.

Melissa Hager

Lehighton

Dear Jeff,

Left-handed relievers’ struggles and inconsistencies are a concern.

Bob Scheuer

Newtown

Another Fresh Start

Dear Jeff,

They really don’t have a reliable fourth- or fifth-starter, and they need at least one more to make the playoffs.

Bullpens are a crapshoot, and one of our lefties will come around. And Derek Hill could turn out to be the consistent right-handed bat.

Vic Monaco

Philadelphia

Scrapbook ... In each column, I will recall the career of a former local standout.

Fred Tomasko was a stellar baseball, football and basketball player at Northwestern, and he continued his football and baseball careers at Kutztown University. He was one of the finest athletes to walk the corridors at Northwestern.

In 1986, Tomasko hit .312 with 31 RBIs at Kutztown.

But he truly made his mark in the Blue Mountain League, where he played 21 seasons for the Orioles. Although the total isn’t official, Tomasko is presumed to be the league’s all-time home run leader, hitting better than 225 in his career.

Tomasko passed away at the age of 55 in 2020.

Your thoughts are always welcomed; email them to tnsports@tnonline.com

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