The Max Kepler Redemption Tour has been beautiful to watch since the trade deadline

Back in July, Max Kepler looked like a failed experiment. The offseason pickup wasn’t hitting, the boos were getting louder, and it felt like only a matter of time before Dave Dombrowski sent him packing.

Kepler was hitting well below the Mason Dixon line, I was spending way too much time trashing him for telling the beat reporters in the clubhouse that he was brought here to be a starter when the numbers simply didn’t add up for that to be the case.

Max Kepler says he was told he would be the starting left fielder when he signed with the Phillies, failing to realize that he’s actually not that good at baseball

Harrison Bader was added at the deadline, Justin Crawford was floating around as a potential call-up, and Max Kepler’s spot was hanging by a thread.

Two months later, the Phillies’ patience has paid off for Max Kepler

Kepler finally flipped the switch in August with a .789 OPS, his first month all year that looked remotely respectable.

Since September started, he’s been even better, slashing .320/.419/.600 with a 1.019 OPS in just 23 at-bats. From nearly getting DFA’d to red-hot in the middle of a pennant race, Kepler has turned himself into a legit contributor down the stretch.

Max Kepler 5 RBI vs Mets last night:

MAX KEPLER ARE YOU KIDDING?! pic.twitter.com/nT2Hgy1V2M

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) September 11, 2025

Kepler rakes in some more pic.twitter.com/7CgxaoThM7

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) September 11, 2025

Dog Days turned into the Dawg Days, if you will.

Max Kepler says it’s all about routine and acceptance of his role while also giving credit to all the boys in the clubhouse.

Honestly, I think both are warranted and when you mix in four outfielders constantly fighting (and producing) every night since the deadline, the trickle down effect is real. Now every night is a competition and our boys are hungry for more.

Max Kepler drops 5 RBI on the Mets as Phillies lower Magic Number to 7

Outfield Platoon Paying Off

Since the deadline, the Phillies’ platoon outfield has actually worked:

• Weston Wilson vs. lefties in left field
• Brandon Marsh vs. righties in left field
• Kepler vs. righties in right field
• Nick Castellanos vs. lefties in right field
• Harrison Bader locked in at center, hitting .350 since coming over

The mix-and-match approach isn’t perfect, but it’s kept everyone fresh, and more importantly, productive.

If you say you saw this coming, you’re a liar.

Again, Max Kepler was on the verge of being cut loose two months ago. Now, he’s batting in key spots, playing solid defense, and helping the Phillies cruise toward a second straight NL East crown.

They’re up 10 games on the Mets, the Magic Number is down to 7, and Kepler is one of the reasons why.

Max Kepler drops 5 RBI on the Mets as Phillies lower Magic Number to 7

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