The Philadelphia Phillies have one of the best starting rotations in baseball, and the batting order is strong from top to bottom. But the bullpen still has some question marks, and a Phillies legend knows the importance of the bullpen for the Phillies in 2025.

On Takeoff with John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia, Mike Schmidt said, “The season’s going to depend on the bullpen… When you’re talking about what’s going to win it all for the Phillies, it’s the bullpen.”

In 2025, the Phillies bullpen looks different than it has in the last few years. Jeff Hoffman is off the roster, while Jordan Romano and Carlos Hernández have joined. José Alvarado and Matt Strahm are the two best relievers, while Orion Kerkering, José Ruiz, Joe Ross, and Tanner Banks round out the bullpen.

The Phillies’ most successful seasons came with great bullpen production. In 2024, the Phillies bullpen had an ERA of 3.94, 15th in MLB. During the playoffs, the bullpen imploded, allowing an MLB-worst 11.37 ERA, double the next-worst bullpen from the postseason.

In 2023, the bullpen was significantly better, finishing with a 3.58 ERA, good for seventh in the Major Leagues. In the postseason, the bullpen was the second-best, with a 2.23 ERA. The offense let the pitching down in 2023, leading to their elimination.

The Phillies bullpen looks a lot different in 2025 than it did in 2024, and there’s a strong likelihood that the bullpen looks a little different come postseason time. Whether it’s by trade, or calling someone up, the Phillies are likely to adjust their bullpen throughout the year.

Schmidt knows the Phillies need to get the most out of their bullpen if they want to succeed.

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“There is no question, that what happens in our bullpen, from the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth [inning] on, that will decide our fate in Philly.”

Schmidt strongly believes that the bullpen will be what decides the Phillies’ season. With how the Phillies ended their 2024 season following a disastrous series from the bullpen, it’s hard to argue with his perspective.

The Phillies will likely make changes to their bullpen throughout the year, but regardless of whether those changes occur or not, the Phillies season depends on their bullpen according to one of their franchise legends.