Alex Rodriguez has never been shy about making a prediction. And this time, he’s looking at the Philadelphia Phillies and seeing something that might surprise you.
Speaking on FOX Sports, the former MLB star said he wouldn’t be shocked if the Phillies are contending for a World Series in the second half of the season. He also thinks Bryce Harper could make another run at NL MVP. That’s not exactly a casual throwaway line. It’s a notable take from someone who knows what it takes to win at the highest level.
The Phillies just picked up their 50th win of the 2026 season with a 6-1 win against the Kansas City Royals. Harper had a hit and a walk in that game. Nothing flashy. But the team is quietly closing the gap on the Atlanta Braves in the NL East, and they’ve been playing solid baseball for a while now.
The Phillies are built for a second-half push
This isn’t new territory for Philadelphia. They made a run to the World Series in 2022 after a strong second half. But since then, it’s been a string of tough playoff exits. They blew a 3-2 lead against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2023 NLCS. The New York Mets knocked them out in the 2024 NLDS. And last year, as a higher seed, they fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS again.
So there’s history here. But Rodriguez seems to think this year could be different.
“I would not be surprised if this team is in the mix to win a world championship in the 2nd half and Bryce Harper can challenge for another MVP,” Rodriguez said.
Harper remains the engine. Even as he gets older, he’s still an elite hitter and a presence in the clubhouse. The question is whether the Phillies can peak at the right time. Last season, they kind of coasted down the stretch after locking up the division, and it showed in October.
This time around, the Braves aren’t making it easy. The race is tighter. And maybe that keeps Philadelphia sharp all the way through September and into the postseason. Or maybe it wears them down. Either way, the Phillies have the talent to make a run.
They wrap up their series against the Royals on Sunday. After that, the real grind begins.
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