MLB Opening Day has arrived, with the Philadelphia Phillies starting the 2022 season at Citizens Bank Park tomorrow afternoon against the Oakland Athletics. There is a ton of hype around this year’s team to finally break a decade-long playoff drought, and the fact that the Phillies went over the luxury tax during the offseason to acquire Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos, it finally feels like they are in position to do just that.

On paper, a lineup that features big bats such as Bryce Harper, Nick Castellanos, Kyle Schwarber, JT Realmuto, Rhys Hoskins, and yes, even Mickey Moniak makes you think that the Phillies could easily break the record for most home runs by a team in a single MLB season.

The Phillies absolutely destroyed the cowhide during Spring Training

The Phillies’ bats were came alive during Spring Training, with the team hitting a combined 26 home runs in 336 plate appearances during camp. Reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper lead the way with eight home runs in 20 games. If he maintains that pace he’d set a new franchise record with 64 home runs.

Why have just one home run highlight when you can have 5?

Young guns Bryson Stott and Mickey Moniak have looked explosive as well in Spring Training. Especially Mick, who surprised everyone by hitting .378/.378/.973 with a 1.351 OPS, hitting six home runs. Both earned spots on the Opening Day roster on the backs of impressive offensive output in Clearwater.

Free agent additions Nick Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber both bring a ton of extra firepower to the mix as well. Last year they hit 34 and 32 home runs respectively. Assuming they both stay healthy there’s no reason to doubt they can easily match those totals again.

If you consider the fact that they are now playing in a hitters friendly park in South Philly with prevailing winds being warmed up by the asphalt and the curve of I-95 acting as a type of wind tunnel, I honestly don’t think it’s crazy to assume they both have the potential to hit over 40 bombs this year.

Somewhat forgotten in all of the excitement of new additions and the NL MVP is the Phillies’ long-suffering first baseman Rhys Hoskins.

Hoskins was on track to hit over 30 home runs last year before being sidelined late in the season by injuries. He’ll benefit from being surrounded by so many great hitters and also the implementation of the new universal DH rule.

So where’s all this heading? The record books. 

The MLB single season record for most home runs is 307 by the Minnesota Twins in 2019. In order to break that record the Phightins need only average 2 home runs a game. This record should be absolutely shattered by the end of August. 

My final prediction for total dingers socked by the Phillies this year? 350.

Sportsbook Links

• MLB Futures: Bryson Stott, Matt Vierling, Mickey Moniak Odds to Win NL Rookie of the Year
• MLB Futures: Phillies Player Odds for Regular Season Stat Leaders
• MLB Futures: Phillies World Series and Awards Odds
• MLB Futures: Phillies Season Stat Totals and Matchbets

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Mandatory Credit: Getty Images