Phillies a legit threat to Mets, Braves in NL East

The Braves have won five straight NL East titles and the Mets have a record $364 million payroll, so it’s natural folks are focusing on those two teams as NL East favorites.

However, the Phillies shouldn’t be overlooked. Consider that:

1. The Phillies’ outstanding lineup contributed three players on Team USA’s virtual All-Star lineup — Trea Turner, J.T. Realmuto, and Kyle Schwarber.

Plus, they would have had four if Bryce Harper was ready. Rhys Hoskins’ injury suffered Thursday is a blow, but they can withstand it.

2. They were better than their overall 87-75 record last year, as they showed on their run to the World Series.

Harper missed half the year, and while they are only predicting a first-half return for him, some think he could be back as early as late May.

3. Philly wasn’t the same team the first several weeks under Joe Girardi as they were later with Rob Thomson (65-46 with Thomson, 22-29 with Girardi).

4. They had a big winter.

While it was overshadowed by the Mets’ spending, much of the Mets’ monies went toward bringing back stars and replacing lost stars.

WBC hitting star Turner was simply an add for the Phillies and allows them to move Schwarber to the middle of the order.

5. Reports are good out of spring training regarding improvements for Alec Bohm (“put on good weight”) and Scott Kingery (ditched a swing coach and launch-angle emphasis).

6. They have two aces, Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola.

And if 19-year-old uber-talent Andrew Painter can return, maybe a third (coincidentally, he was a Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian High School teammate of Girardi’s son, Dante). Thomson said Painter has “No. 1 type stuff.”

The Phillies have spoken hopefully regarding Painter return, but with a UCL tear, even a small one, there’s always a possibility surgery will be needed.