Kyle Schwarber is guaranteed at least three more games in a Philadelphia Phillies uniform. But every supporter of the team wants hundreds more.
Schwarber has become the backbone of the Phillies’ lineup, and this was by far his best season as a professional. He led the National League with 56 home runs, led the majors with 132 RBIs, and was one of six players to appear in all 162 games for their teams (including Rafael Devers, who played 163 because of his midseason trade).
The Phillies tried and failed to get an extension in place for Schwarber before the season. That’s going to prove costly either way, as they’ll either be out many millions of dollars when they ink his next contract, or they’ll lose him to another team willing to pay more than they are to keep him in-house.
So as they enter the postseason, the Phillies are painfully aware that Schwarber’s time in Philadelphia could be coming to an end — though none of them can envision him leaving.
Manager Rob Thomson admitted as much before the team’s final game of the regular season.
“Yeah, it’s difficult,” Thomson said, per Matt Gelb of The Athletic. “Not only the talent, but what he brings to the room. What he brings to the community. He’s an all-around man in many respects. I just love having him around. He’s a great human being. Yeah, it’s hard to think about this team without him.”
The Phillies’ playoff run will begin with Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Saturday, as they take on the winner of the best-of-three set between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds.
Schwarber has been one of Philadelphia’s most potent lineup threats in his first three playoff runs with the team, posting a .933 OPS and 12 home runs in 34 games. He’s coming off his worst postseason run in the big leagues a year ago, when he went just 2-for-16 in the team’s NLDS loss to the New York Mets.
The Phillies’ love for Schwarber is obvious to anyone who watches them play. But they would still be wise to savor every moment of this postseason run, in case it’s his last.
