Kyle Schwarber signs with Philadelphia: Phillies' 2022 MLB playoff odds double via SportsLine Projection Model

One of the biggest rule changes in the new collective bargaining agreement between the MLB owners and MLBPA is the universal DH, meaning no more pitchers batting (usually) in the National League – and that will affect game totals, but that's a story for another day. Thus, most NL teams are in the market for a DH-type, and the Philadelphia Phillies just added a good one in former Red Sox, Nationals and Cubs slugger Kyle Schwarber. The SportsLine Projection Model (see below) has doubled Philly's 2022 playoff chances with this move.

Schwarber, who hits lefty and can play left field (some reports are that he will play there often, which is a surprise) and first base, began last season with Washington and was traded to Boston. The 29-year-old batted a combined .266 with 32 home runs, 71 RBIs and a .928 OPS in 113 games.

With the Nats, he tied an MLB record with five homers over a two-game span (June 19-20). Then, he became the fifth player to go deep nine times in a six-game span (June 19-25). Lastly, he tied Albert Belle's all-time record of 12 homers in a 10-game span (June 19-29), as well as Sammy Sosa's and Barry Bonds' record of 16 home runs in an 18-game stretch (June 12-29).

He hit three home runs – including a bomb off Yankees ace Gerrit Cole in the American League Wild Card Game – in the postseason during Boston's run to the ALCS. It's reportedly a four-year deal worth just under $20 million per year.

Schwarber had success in the leadoff spot last year and the Phillies lack an obvious candidate to lead off. Philadelphia used 11 leadoff hitters in 2021 who combined for a .302 on-base percentage, worst in the National League and second-worst in baseball after of the Texas Rangers (.280).

If there's one concern, it's Schwarber's .684 career OPS against left-handed pitchers (and frankly his outfield defense). He did post a .788 mark in 2021, but he has gotten more than 510 plate appearances in a season only once (2019) because of issues hitting lefties.

The SportsLine Projection Model improves the Phillies from 77.2 wins in 2022 to 81.1 with the Schwarber addition and improves their playoff chances from 13 percent to 26.5 percent. There is an additional wild-card team in each league going forward.

Caesars Sportsbook gives Philadelphia an Over/Under of 82.5 wins and +120 to make the playoffs with no at -140. The Phils finished last season 82-80 and eight games out of the second wild-card spot. The 83-win Reds would have gotten the new third spot.

The Braves and Mets are +140 co-favorites to win the NL East with the Phillies at +550. Schwarber murdered the Mets last season, slashing .395/.452/1.158 with nine home runs in 38 at-bats against them. He struggled, though, in 21 at-bats vs. the Braves with a .238 average and zero homers.

The addition of Schwarber surely takes the Phillies out of the Kris Bryant sweepstakes. Fellow Las Vegas native Bryce Harper had been pushing for the team to sign his buddy Bryant. 

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