Johnson: Phillies will enter second half of 2024 with lofty World Series or bust expectations

Even after checking out before Sunday's blowout loss to the A's, the Phillies entered the all-star break with the best record in baseball at 62-34, just one win shy of the NL record going into the break.

It's been said many times by multiple hosts and callers on WIP that this might be the best Phillies team they have ever seen, and through 96 games I would agree.

But as a result, does that mean anything short of winning it all is unacceptable?

"We put ourselves in a really good position, and we feel like there is a lot of good baseball ahead of us," said Kyle Schwarber.

"It was a good first half," Trea Turner said. "A lot to build on in the second half."

"We've had a great first half. Still had a 4-2 homestand. You're going to have games like [Sunday's blowout loss to the A's], but still a really good first half," manager Rob Thomson explained on Sunday.

With 66 games remaining, the Phillies are on pace for 105 wins which would surpass the 2011 club's 102 win season, setting a new franchise record.

The Phillies have eight all-stars—a franchise record and tying an MLB record, the most wins by a pitching staff in MLB, three starters with sub three ERAs, the most strikeouts, and second lowest team ERA. The list goes on and on.

Add in the closeness of the clubhouse, it's willingness to openly show it's intimacy, the relationship and appreciation for the fans, and it's not hard to see why anything shy of lifting a World Series trophy is acceptable.