All along, it was unrealistic to expect the flip a switch and suddenly be the team we saw in March through early-July again. Yes, they did kind of flip a switch in 2022, getting hot after stumbling a bit to the finish. But being an underdog and being a favorite are two different mentalities. Could be this team is better suited in an underdog role. This isn't unique to the Phillies. The Nationals went into several Postseasons as a division champion but could never win a Postseason round. But then they won it all as a wildcard, upsetting everyone they played along the way. The Braves in 2021 were an underdog story once they got past the NLDS. The Dodgers are perennial favorites who fold.
Since 2022, the Phillies are 4-1 in Postseason series in which they were the underdog, or at least the team that did not have homefield advantage. They are 1-2 as favorites, beating only the Marlins in 2023.