Phillies Discussion 9/12/2025

Other Stuff

The Phillies got some impressive starting pitching and timely hitting in a four-game sweep of the New York Mets.   Let’s take a moment or two to savor it.

Okay, that’s enough.  The Phillies magic number decreased from 13 to 5 with the sweep.  Now they can concentrate on a tough home series against Kansas City this weekend.  The Royals are in the mix for the final wild card in the American League.

Then they travel to Los Angeles for a very important series against the Dodgers.  This series could go a long way in determining the second bye, unless of course the Phillies catch and pass the Brewers for the best record.

The Phillies trail the Brewers by two games and lead the Dodgers by four-and-a-half games.  They have a 2-1 lead for the tiebreaker with LA but lost the season series to Milwaukee.

The Phillies 11-game lead over the second place Mets is the largest lead of any division leader.  No other leader has a double-digit lead.

Mike Trout hit his 399th career HR last night.

This is your Phillies discussion.

Transactions 

9/11/2025 – LHP Cristhian Tortosa assigned to Reading from Jersey Shore
9/11/2025 – Reading transferred RHP Charles King to the Development List
9/10/2025 – RHP Saul Teran assigned to Reading from Jersey Shore
9/10/2025 – Reading transferred RHP Estibenzon Jimenez to the Development List
9/09/2025 – LHP Andrew Walling assigned to Lehigh Valley from Reading
9/09/2025 – SS Aidan Miller assigned to Lehigh Valley from Reading
9/08/2025 – Phillies transferred RHP Daniel Robert from the 15- to the 60-day IL
9/08/2025 – Phillies placed 3B Alec Bohm on the 10-day IL retroactive to 9/8, left shoulder inflammation
9/08/2025 – Phillies placed SS Trea Turner on the 10-day IL retroactive to 9/8, hamstring
9/08/2025 – Phillies recalled 1B Otto Kemp from Lehigh Valley
9/08/2025 – Phillies selected the contract of 2B Donavan Walton from Lehigh Valley
9/08/2025 – 2B Aroon Escobar assigned to Reading from Jersey Shore
9/08/2025 – OF Dante Nori assigned to Reading from Jersey Shore

158 thoughts on “Phillies Discussion 9/12/2025”

  1. DD really crushed this trade deadline.
    – Robertson as a FA looks brilliant
    – Bader is not only having a huge impact on this year’s team, I think they are going to try to sign him this offseason to a long term deal. He is exactly what we have needed. Moves Marsh to left. Good hitter. Really good defender and perfect clubhouse fit. Plays the right way.
    – Getting Duran without giving up any of our top 3 prospects was huge. I think Duran has the best stuff in MLB. I haven’t felt this confident in the 9th since 2008 with Lidge.

    https://x.com/PitchingNinja/status/1966317861376344077

    An absolutely perfect deadline by DD. Hat tip.

    Like

    1. can’t argue with anything you said. If Nola keeps gaining momentum, this team may head into the playoffs as a favorite in every series.

      Like

    2. I’ve been barking about the need at the trade deadline for the Phils to improve their ability to hit quality left-hand pitching, the kind they’re likely to face in the post-season. This series with the Mets has shown that the Phils have appeared to accomplish this improvement. It’s important for me to acknowledge this and give props.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Love what Bader has brought to the team since he was acquired but everyone needs to slow down a bit with the whole signing to a LTC.

    Right now, he’s playing way beyond his career numbers. Maybe everything has finally come together for him but more likely, he will return to something closer to his career averages of being a .240 hitter with a .313 obp.

    I’d much rather they accept the mutual option for 2026 and hope that Bader accepts his side of that deal. That allows time for Crawford to hit the majors and see how his game translates to the major leagues.

    Like

    1. Yes definitely PU our half of that option but little chance Bader accepts his side of it. Some team is going to offer him multiple years beyond that 1 year money which is only $10 million.

      Like

      1. I think Bader will get offers for two years with a club option/buy-out on the third year. Right now he is hot and probably takes it all the way thru the play-offs……but he may go back to his norm next season.

        Like

    2. There’s absolutely no way that Bader accepts the mutual option. That said, I agree that the Phillies shouldn’t give him anything crazy. I think 2/25 with a team option for the 3rd year is as much as I will go.

      If Bader re-signs with the Phillies, then I move Casty and insert Crawford into RF.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. I guess it was a couple weeks back when I said the 7 remaining games against the Mets would likely dictate how I saw our chances in the post season. Mission accomplished.

    Now RT will need to manage innings while still keeping guys honed in on the big picture. Not an easy task.

    With regard to Bader he’s a career 247/313/716 OPS guy who is breaking out at 31 years of age. Good for us but building contracts on a month or so of high performance isn’t warranted.

    I’m happy for DD and happy for all of us that this is trending in the right direction. However I’m not making any long term decisions based on these last few months of baseball or based on the end result even if we do win the big prize.

    A lot of these guys can sh!t the bed in the playoffs and attitudes would change. They shouldn’t but they would. (fair or not)

    We did this in Lorenzen year with all the warm and fuzzies after a meaningless no hitter and then were dispatched to the links in short order by the D-Backs in the NLCS.

    Like

    1. Saul Teran is one of my favorite prospects in the system. He’s generally 93-95, will get to 96 occasionally. But he’s got a slight frame and I think there’s room to add some more velo. But the slider/sweeper, whatever they’re calling it, is filthy. Lost his command a little bit in the last few weeks, but otherwise had been really good with that this year.

      I think he needs a couple more ticks on the fastball to be a back-end bullpen guy, but he’s legit in my eyes.

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Rocco, every player in the system is a prospect. Some have a chance to make it to the big leagues and others are just filler. In that respect, Saul Teran is a “legit” prospect. Mitch gave you a good report on his stuff. I’ll provide some background info.

      He wasn’t signed until 2021 as a nineteen-year-old. A little old for an international signing. He could have been affected by the Covid season but even then, he would have been 18 when most signings are of sixteen-year-olds. He didn’t make his debut until 2022 when he was twenty, some of our group would consider that old for the DSL. He came stateside in 2023 and pitched in the Complex League until promoted to Clearwater toward the end of the summer. He pitched all of 2024 with Clearwater and posted a sub-4.00 ERA (3.96) with 7 saves in 8 opportunities.

      Since he was 19 when he signed, he was Rule 5 eligible last winter and went unselected. He had a breakout season in 2025 with a sub-2.00 ERA at Clearwater and Jersey Shore with 15 saves in 16 opportunities. He may be among a handful of pitchers being considered for Rule 5 protection Painter, Harper, McFarlane, Teran?). He’ll certainly be on the Lehigh Valley roster to protect him from the minor league portion of the draft. He may be a target in the major league portion of the draft. Last season Minnesota selected Eiberson Castellano and tried to convert him to a reliever before returning him to the Phillies.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. He had 18 walks for Minny. I am not sure now, but he has had very few if any 3 ball counts. He wants to get you out as quickly as possible.

      Like

  6. You know, as Phillie Phanatics we get so excited with recently drafted players. Some were supposing that Gage Wood could immediately enter the big club’s bullpen and contribute.

    Last night he started for single A Clearwater and pitched all of one inning in which he gave up 4 runs and 5 hits. According to the game cast, 4 of the hits were line drive hits.

    It reminds me of when I was a young man and the Rangers drafted David Clyde and right out of high school he went straight to the majors. He didn’t do well and never made it big.

    We, myself included, need to keep our expectations and desires in check. This is not the NBA or NFL when a “kid” can be drafted and be counted on to make an impression immediately.

    Like

    1. So Schwarbs at $31M AAV……4 years….sounds about right.

      Now if the Phillies go ahead and win the WS….do you make that offer, or come in a little lower at 28/29M…..or higher at 32/33M?

      Like

      1. I am more in favor of 3 years and the lower $$. But that may not get it done. The DH only gives me pause. But why the Phillies have those to figure that out.

        Like

        1. Being a DH may extend his career and prevent injuries…in a similar manner as David Ortiz. That being said, the AAV could be the difference maker in whether he comes back or moves on.

          Like

          1. Maybe. I have felt from day 1 he stays in Philly. He is a Philly legend now. But recently some guys around here with some Cincy info believe that they will go really hard for him. Early on my IU guys who know Schwarber did not feel the Reds would ante up. But they have hit and scored so poorly the last couple months maybe things have changed. Middleton is really close to where my grandson is at Wilmington. He is now 2 months post op and will see surgeon in a month to see next steps. He is hoping to be able to play in Spring.

            Ruff just sent me the cutest pic of Baby Phillie all smiles, and Baby Met all tears. He led with “the party is over …

            Like

            2. Schwarber had status in places like Boston and Chicago, I don’t think him being a legend here will affect his choice in free agency. He’s going to go to the contender that offers him the most security on his likely last multi year deal. We have to understand that because that’s what he’s done before.

              Like

      2. I’ll be watching to see if the aggregate money that Schwarber, Realmuto, Ranger, Bader, and Luzardo (extended) sign for surpasses the multi-year money Tucker gets.

        The Castellanos and Walker deals have 1 year to go. If I’m the Phils, I’m concerned that Nola’s deal could become an albatross and that Harper going forward may not have more to offer that what he’s provided this year. That is to say, no longer elite and perhaps not even All Star calibre but still a good player.

        Like

  9. This year’s Minor League hitting and pitching prospects of the year will be announced in a little over two weeks.

    My vote for the hitting prospect award is Justin Crawford. Last year Sox Kristian won the award after hitting .330/.439/.558 across three levels and leading the Minors in total bases. Crawford is not far off a few of the metrics.

    Though Campbell’s wRC+ was 178 vs Crawford’s right now at 133.

    Like

  10. Harper in his MVP year (2021) with the Phils:

    K rate: 22.4%; Avg EV: 91.1 mph; Hard-hit rate: 49.7%

    Harper in 2025:

    K rate: 21.0%; Avg EV: 91.2 mph; Hard-hit rate: 48.1%

    So he’s striking out less and hitting the ball just about as hard. So what’s the difference between MVP Bryce and good-but-not-great Bryce?

    Three things:

    (1) Worse Luck (his Batting Average on Balls in Play (BABIP) in 2021 was .359, his career BABIP is .322 and this year it is .296) — a little of this is due to a couple percentage points lower rate of line drives, but most of it is luck

    (2) Walking less (16.7% in 2021, career rate of 14.4%, but only 11.1% this year). That is significant.

    (3) Worse Luck (the percentage of his fly balls that went over the fence in 2021 was 5.8% and this year it is 4.8%, despite him hitting the ball about his hard both years).

    In short, there is not really evidence that Harper has declined. Has career average EV is 91.2 mph and this year his average EV is 91.2 mph. His career strikeout rate is 21.6% and this year it is 21.0%. A little bit fewer line drives this year, but overall he seems like he’ll still be good for at least the next couple years.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. “Walking less (16.7% in 2021, career rate of 14.4%, but only 11.1% this year). That is significant.”

      Did you take into account 9 less intentional base on balls this year vs 2021…..that will affect his OBP and walk-rate metric. Either , they just do not fear him at the plate in specific situations with RISP…..or he just has not come to bat often enough in those circumstances.

      Like

        1. Here’s one other metric that influences the thoughts of people when comparing Harper of old to Harper of new:

          RISP slash -in 2021 was -.330/.488/.545…….2025 RISP – .236/.346/.409…almost 100 points less in BA than 2021.

          He has not hit well enough with RISP this season. Has not been ‘clutch’ like he was four years ago.

          Like

  11. Kemp being rewarded for a good week by being moved up to 5th with JT resting tonight. His OPS is now higher than Bohm’s, who was caught on camera after the big HR looking a bit uneasy in the dugout. Yeah, I know it’s silly to base much off of momentary facial expressions taken at random.

    I figure that, once the bye is secured, Harper might get some rest days, which will allow management further opportunity to see what they have in the Otttoman Kempire (best CBP sign in a long time). He might fizzle. I hope he doesn’t.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Phillies are now closer to Brewers than the Dodgers are to Phillies. May depend on if they want to be 1 seed or settle for 2 seed. Avoid sweep next week to Dodgers they should be in good shape for 2. May be last week before you see too much time off. Just have to wait and see how things play out. Hoping no let down these next 3 after those 4 big wins.

      Like

          1. After win Phillies now have opportunity to “turn out the lights on the KC season” I too thought Buehler was efficient. Surprised Red Sox let him go where they are now. But what do I know. I caught some highlights and wonder if Mendoza seat is getting hot. I am sure it will if they fail to make playoffs. Giants only half game back. When you watch Mets in dugout, they just seem to have something missing.

            I wish there was a way for Ruff to send the Baby Phillie and Baby Met pic. Just darling.

            Like

            1. Even Mets announcers , like Darling, said they seem to be unraveling. Miscues in the field are piling up. Alonso has been having a difficult time in the field these last few weeks. He currently sits at a negative 3.9 in SABR’s SDI.

              Like

            2. Pete Alonso was a below average defender at 1B in his 20s. Now that he’s 30, it’s only going to get worse. He needs to be a DH.

              Like

            3. It’s true he probably should be a DH now or soon. Call it instinct, but if the Phillies don’t sign Schwarber, I believe Alonso will be a Phillies next year. Although he’s not as good as Schwarber he’s 2 years younger, will command much less of a salary (and years), hits righty (which they need) and he’s a damned good player and apparently a good guy. They could do a lot worse than Pete Alonso.

              Anyway, this year’s Phillies team – I’m not going to jinx anything, but I’ve got a great feeling about what’s about to happen this fall.

              Like

            4. For what it’s worth, Alsonso’s lifetime OPS+ is notably better than Schwarber’s. I’m not saying he’s better, just that he’s really quite good.

              Like

  13. I have been 100% on board with the Phillies course on promotions. I feel no need to rush anybody. BUT if Sosa indeed needs a 10-day stint on the IL, then let’s have Miller come up for a few games, just so he can experience the stadium in a pennant race. Let him see what a celebration looks like when we clinch the division. And when Bohm comes off the IL, he can go back down.

    But we are in a comfortable position right now to let the kid come up and get a really good taste of what it means to be a big leaguer on a winning team. Let that marinate all winter long as motivation.

    Like

  14. Walker with a productive night, but he lost 3 mph off the fastball from the 1st to the 5th inning. That said, he definitely looks like a guy who could be a reliever in the playoffs. Keep him stretched out during regular season, but bullpen for the playoffs.

    Like

    1. Agree, had a workmanlike performance tonight. Got off a little slow and was tiring in the fifth, but performance was in line with why we signed him.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. The concern with Buehler was his SO rate so hopefully it will play higher in the bullpen. But then again, he’s had an issue with walks this season.

      Either way, since the leash in the playoffs are short, I would still go with Nola as the 4th starter, but Nola needs to show his last game wasn’t a fluke.

      Like

  15. Alvarado is now on the IL with a forearm strain and his season is now over. Topper mentioned that the Phillies wanted to get him good for next season so it’s likely that the Phillies will pick up his $9M club option. Alvarado will be 31 in May.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. To make room for Buehler on the 40, Matt Manning was DFA’d. I had hopes they could have corrected Manning and pull out the potential he had when Tigers drafted him 9th overall in 2016.

    .

    Like

  17. If Manning liked what they were trying to do with him, he still may sign up with the Phillies and try again.

    As far as Alvarado goes, would you bypass his contract next year, let him walk to use $9M somewhere else?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Letting Alvardo walk means looking for another LHP reliever…..Aroldis Chapman will be out there and can be had for $12M I assume…maybe even for two years at $24M.

      And then there will be original Phillies…35-year old Hoby Milner who also will be a free agent, and would cost about $4M.

      Not sure what I would do…..in 60 days from now, I guess we will know what the Phillies will do

      Like

      2. Alvarado, I’d let him go. He put us in a difficult spot, it’s not about the money. We need to retool after the season anyhow irregardless if we are WC’s or not. Whatever is to our advantage, we do.

        Like

        1. With relievers you just never know what you will get from year to year. I can see letting him walk with the buy-out. And they will do their due diligence in looking for a lefty arm to bring in for him.

          Like

          1. Comparable at the moment is an injured LH pitcher. Come spring it is a 50/50 proposition that he has recovered and therefore if he hasn’t you are looking for a LH reliever anyhow …. mox nix.

            Like

            1. JMO but Alvarado has some faith building to do. I could see the Phillies going another direction.

              Romus. Regarding the Mets I was watching the day the Brewer kid had one out in the 9th and a no hitter before Soto hit a HR to end that. But the Mets celebrated like they had won a series, and they lost like 5-1 or so. Believe it was the MLB guys who thought that it was a really weird reaction. I am fine every time they lose, and I do think Mendosa may be on the hot seat if they fail to make playoffs.

              Like

            2. 50/50 based on what? Haven’t seen any medical reports indicating a long-term injury. Obviously if he’s injured that changes the dynamics.

              Like

  18. Looks like Trey Turner will win the NL batting title while on the IL. I’m not knocking him, he’s played hard all year and he has enough plate appearances to qualify. Actually I’m relieved that at least someone in the NL is going to finish over .300 unless someone else has a fantastic finish Trey’s it.

    Like

    1. Good for Trey. Only disappointment is not getting chance for 200 hits. That is a hard thing to do anymore. He was 22 away.

      Like

    1. good result. Im going to be a bit reserved. What’s his status for next year? Is he still under contract for the Phillies? Or is he a minor league FA? I thought he was getting very close.

      Like

      1. Do not think he is a Rule 55 guy..…..if they have completed seven seasons on a minor league roster and their contract has expired without renewal or the player being added to the Major League 40-man roster. …but in McGarry’s case he started in the system in 2021.

        Like

      2. McGarry signed 7/12/2025 and started his career that summer and made appearances with the Threshers and BlueClaws. He was Rule 5 eligible after the 2024 season and remains eligible after this season and next unless on the 40-man roster. He becomes a free agent after the 2027 minor league season unless he’s on a big-league roster.

        Like

    1. I was hoping Walker would earn/justify a spot on the post-season roster.The weak hitting Royalsre lighting him up the first time thru the order. Taijuan’s unusable.

      Like

    1. When Trea comes back they almost certainly will. With the way Bader is hitting not even Thomson can justify having him bat after JT. So it will probably be Bader at 4 or 5 (5 if Bohm is at 4), then Marsh will be after him to split up the righties. So JT will be batting 6th or 7th when the hurt guys are back.

      Like

    1. Till now. I’ve been reluctant to anticipate the post-season. Here’s my post-season roster:

      Pitchers (13): Sanchez, Suarez, Nola, Luzardo, Duran, Robertson,Kerkering, Buehler, Strahm. Banks, Mayza, Walker, Romano

      The back of the bullpen is weak but Robert.Lazar and Trivino have not stepped up.

      Position/DH (13): Realmuto, Harper, Stott, Turner, Bohm, Schwarber, Marsh, Bader, Castellanos, Kepler, Sosa, Kemp, Marchan

      Wilson and Stubbs are odd men out. Kemp has slugged his way onto the post-season roster.

      Like

    1. Marsh started the season horribly. 4 for 42. He went down to the minors, fixed his mechanics and then came back up. Since May 1st, his batting line is: .313/.367/.857 (OPS). That’s the 12th best OPS by an outfielder in MLB since then. Sandwiched between Roman Anthony and Riley Greene, both of whom are considered young stars.

      He is only 27 so entering his prime years next year. He has been cheap from a contract perspective. And I think there is upside in his stats. Particularly in his stolen bases, where he only has 5 so far this year. Last year he had 19 and he is fast. So no idea why his SBs are down this year.

      He is not a CF. He is a very good defender in Left. And of course, a great clubhouse fit.

      Like

  24. Looking at the Marsh stats this morning, I couldn’t help but nice Harrison Bader a few spots higher on the OPS leaderboard. On the season, Bader has a line of .288/.361/.833OPS. That’s the 10th best OPS for all OFs in MLB. He’s also a +14 in Defensive Runs Saved. Guys that’s a friggin All-Star level production. That we got him for a marginal prospect is amazing.

    Like

      1. I can’t see Bader doing that. He is in a perfect position to cash in. Having a monster year. No way his agent doesn’t test FA. I am sure he will get a very good multi year contract in FA. Honestly something like $100/5 wouldn’t surprise me.

        Like

        1. i think Bader is really good center fielder, I am not giving a guy who is a proven 250 hitter. Who is hot right now a long term deal. Otto can’t play third. So I don’t know what you do with him. He isn’t Taken Bohn place. That will be Miller or turner. A guy gets hot for a month and we giving him a long term deal, that’s crazy . Just like Realmuto was hot not he can’t hit a lick. Got to give Crawford a chance.

          Like

      2. A good comp for Bader’s FA is Teoscar Hernandez. He hit FA after his age 31 season too. Similar OPS in his walk year. Bader is actually better defensively. Teoscar got 3/$66.

        Like

        1. One difference is that Teoscar registered 3.5, 3.0, 2.3 WAR from his age 28-30 seasons before FA. So you could argue that there was a bit of track record before the Dodgers gave him 3/66.

          Bader signed for 1/6.25 and a mutual option because he really hasn’t hit at all the previous 3 seasons. So Bader’s track record is not great. Bader hit a bit in STL but it looks like the league adjusted and he didn’t before this season (age 31). If Bader gets 5/100, it better not be from the Phillies.

          Like

          2. Agree……Bader’s track record is not superstarish……a good two year AAV offering might work.

            But what will they do with Casty! Moving both Casty and Walker would solve some decision making problems. Between them the Phillies would probably need to eat 50% or $19M. for their last year.

            Like

            1. I think the Phillies will have to eat more than that. I think the Phillies will have to eat 75% of their contracts just to get back a low-A lotto ticket.

              Like

  25. I think when Trey comes back if Bader is still hitting like he is now he will stay at lead off. Trey may fall in at 3 or 4. Bader is hitting better than he is. But that is ok. Hope it continues for about 6 more weeks. Marty Bystrom did that in 80 for Phillies in September. Cody Ross did that for Giants in 2010 I believe. Helped knock Phillies out. Jorge Soler did the same for Braves in 2021 when they won. It is great that Harrison has all the things going his way. He hits the ball softly it finds a spot. Hits it hard it finds a spot. Hits it out of the park it finds Phillies Karen. That is for Rocco. LOL

    Then it was 1. Who would have thought on August 28th. Not sure exact number for Dodgers and 2 seed. Watched Brewers rally in bottom of 9th from 2 runs down to win 9-8 in 10.

    One of the things I really like about Duran is that he attacks the hitters. He does not need to strikeout each. Threw 10 pitches last night. I do think when the crowd gets on their feet with 2 outs it pumps the 102-103 adrenalin a bit for that last guy. Several times the last out is a K.

    Philles basically turned out the lights on KC and any hopes they had. Dodgers are up next.

    Like

  26. For 2026, who do you want as a starter at 3B? Bohm, who will be in his final year of arbitration (likely $10M) or Kemp (.741 OPS in limited time)?

    With what Kemp is showing so far, it’s a near lock that Kemp will be on the opening day roster in 2026 (at least as a backup with Edmundo Sosa).

    Like

    1. Yes, it’s a lock Kemp will be on the opening day roster next year. League average or better hitters who earn the league minimum of $760,000 AND who are going into their age 26 season (hence, a reasonable chance that they will improve a bit) are really valuable.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. The Phils have to think that they have an infielder of the future in Aidan Miller. It follows that the Phils will not make a move to extend Bohm this off-season. As with last off-season,they will listen to offers on Bohm and perhaps act tepidly to trade him. I don’t expect great interest as Bohm is further from being the AllStar he was in 2024.

      Kemp has to be written into the plan for next season. To me he is at the least an upgrade on Wilson as primarily a right-handed OF bat. My mix for next year includes Marsh, Bader, Crawford, Kemp and Castellanos,if he can’t be moved. Kemp is young, versatile, affordable and a right-handed bat with some pop.

      At a time when$ matters, this would be an affordable, productive OF.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. There’s absolutely no way that Casty is coming back to be in a platoon. He’s as good as gone. If somebody gives Bader 3/66, he’s gone too.

        I think the OF will look like Kemp in LF, Crawford in CF, Marsh in RF. I can see Wilson platooning in LF with Kemp to start.

        Like

        1. who is giving him 66 million? That team would be a moron. To give a 248

          32 yr old with a 298 obp that kind of money

          Like

          1. I agree Rocco. Bader is having one of those streaks that happen from time to time. He is a very good defender. Somewhere he will return to the hitter that he is. I am hoping it is after the WS this year.

            Like

            1. In 1960 Dick Schofield, a light hitting utility player took over for Dick Groat Pirates SS when Groat took a pitch off his wrist for the last month of the season. He hit .403. Groat declared himself ready to play the World series and he did.

              Schofield only got 3AB,s in the series. For his play in the regular season Groat won the NL’s MVP award.

              Schofield who was Jason Werth’s grandfather ,stuck around 19 years in ML baseball but only hit .229 and only about 20 homeruns.

              The lesson is Bader is the right person for the job now, but sequel is never as good as the original.

              Like

        2. There’s no better outcome for the Phils than a dissatisfied Castellanos withholding services while under contract. None. The opportunity for them to void the contract is something they would salivate over and surpasses any trade involving their eating a large portion of the Castellanos contract.

          A player like Castellanos,expensive and not playing at a replacement level has no market– not for a contender or non-contender. Guru, you should put out of your mind the idea that Nick can dictate the play. There are 20 million reasons why he’s not retiring.

          I see no reason the Phils can’t wrap up Bader on an affordable multiyear deal. Same for Robertson on a one year deal.

          Right now the Phils will lose the Kepler and Romano contracts after this season and Castellanos and ,Walker (and likely Bohm)contracts the following year.

          Like

          1. Castellanos and his agent will make it very clear to the Phillies that he doesn’t want to be in a platoon for 2026. If the Phillies disagree, then Casty will request a trade, similar to when Aaron Civale requested a trade when he didn’t want to pitch out of the bullpen. Then it will be up to the Phillies to decide if want a disgruntled Casty on the team. I will bet that the Phillies will not want that and will move on from him.

            Like

  27. Romus, what a nut scene. Skinny joes jammed with Phillies fans. Eagles at chick and Pete’s. And philadium. And I have to go to my nieces who lives three doors from philadium. Shoot me . I wish I opened a farm like don

    Like

      1. Today was what we have become accustomed to seeing from Nola. A few very good innings and then a few pitches and it is 6 runs on the board. This was more like the past where the issue came up around the 5th or 6th. It happens so fast you cannot even have a guy ready in the BP.

        I know some believe he will get a start in first playoff series. I am in favor of the three lefties getting starts.

        Like

          1. Romus. I am not sure it is a trend or just who he has become now. We have a good amount of sample size now. I do not know or have the answer. This will most likely become a bad contract. There are many bad contracts out there for teams. Saying is no bad one-year deals. At least gone after one year. That is why these free agent deals for Phillies are going to be tricky. A player’s production can drop off very quickly. I wonder how many years Bader- Schwarber-, JT-, Ranger. Those would be my biggest concerns with these guys. No idea. I do think Casty is moved. I was wondering the other night. Would a Marsh, Bader, Kepler outfield in 26 be a possibility? Just a thought.

            Like

    1. I don’t disagree with you because of the year that Nola was having, but the Phillies are not paying Nola $24.5M per year to be a 5 inning pitcher.

      Like

        1. Was at game and Castellanos did not help Nola with his defense on Witt’s hit. The Royals looked like they were aiming for Nick. Lastly, Thompson gambled on Nola and won on Monday but not today.

          Like

        2. Agreed. What he’s getting paid does not justify keeping him in games when he unravels. When Nola is done, he’s done. You have to get him the hell out of there. This has been a recurring problem at least since Girardi was the manager. Let’s learn this lesson already. I mean, I get why they didn’t pull him this game – it’s not a critical game and maybe Topper wanted to see if he could work through it – but in the playoffs, once he starts fading, they should get him out of there.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. By the way, a couple of weeks ago, someone asked if we should have a bullpen game in the playoffs with Walker or Nola starting and I said it was a good idea if we wanted to lose. I was just joking of course, but the person who posted viewed it as an afront. I didn’t mean it that way. But, seriously, I think if you wanted to start Nola, you’d almost have to prepare like a bullpen game because you’d need to pull him whenever he lost effectiveness, which could be the 7th inning, but could also be the third inning. As for Walker, he gets rocked in his first inning – I would never use Walker in a relief type game, or, really, in any playoff appearance of consequence, which is why I doubt he’ll even be on the playoff roster.

            Like

            1. The playoffs is a different story. If any pitcher starts losing it (which includes Sanchez), then he has to be yanked quickly to mitigate the damage.

              Like

        1. Romus. I am not sure he needs another pitch. He just gets hurt when he leaves too many in the middle of the plate. For some reason he seems to always have a bad inning. One just never knows when it is going to be.

          Like

  30. I know it’s a minor issue and we had basically zero chance of winning anyways, but why would you EVER decide to NOT challenge a close play that ended the game?

    WHAT? You lose NOTHING by challenging that. Literally just announced he did not care about that game after hinting at it heavily hinting at it with the pitching decisions.

    Like

      1. They lost their review early on in a previous game. The broadcast made a point of showing Thomson look at the review and then make the motion to continue with play… or in this case to end the game.

        Like

  32. On a different note… The Phillies with Finnigan Was awesome.. you should find the video.. The Royals should be commended as well for their participation.

    Liked by 1 person

  33. The weekend exceeded my expectations. I’m feeling a vibe I really like and at the right time of year. 12 to go.

    Whatever happens I will call this a very successful season all things considered.

    Then I will judge them on their offseason as it starts to become more than just a blip on the horizon. How JM and DD manage that will be very interesting.

    Like

    1. Agreed……the season has been successful, with some bumps along the way and surprises.

      If you are a betting man and prior to the season took the Phillies ‘over’ for the season…..with 12 to go….you could still be a happy man. The one Vegas line was 92.5

      Liked by 1 person

  34. rocco….hope you placed your ‘over’ bet in March.

    2025 over/under projections:

    BetMGM: Set the over/under at 93.5.

    DraftKings: Placed the over/under at 91.5.

    Odds Shark: Listed the over/under at 92.5.

    Sports Illustrated: Posted an over/under of 90.5 wins for the Phillies. 

    Like

    1. In retrospect, these were all pretty accurate and reasonable predictions. There was no way you could have predicted the team catching fire with the addition of Bader and Duran. Even with that, the team might win 94-96 games but probably not too much more because the moment they clinch the second bye, they are going into playoff prep mode with key players getting some rest and Topper setting up the rotation for the playoffs. And once they clinch, even the healthy starting pitchers will probably only be throwing 75-85 pitches and key relievers will be used carefully.

      Like

      1. And, by the way, to me, the second bye is the key. I would not push this team to the limit trying to get the top seed – it’s not worth it for a hypothetical (hypothetical because it assumes both the Phils and Brewers win in the divisional round) home field advantage the NLCS. To me, having a healthy team totally ready for a long playoff run is more important than the top seed.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Agree. Really 3 behind Brewers with tie breaker. As long as Phillies can win at least 1 vs Dodgers I think they can hold onto the 2 seed. Believe wins are 89 and 84 right now. Great if this could be accomplished this week and then begin playoff prep. I do not know if they will keep peddle on if Brewers stay in close proximity. That one is difficult.

          Like

        2. I respectfully disagree here. There are two reasons I’d chase down the Brewers if at all possible. I’m not pitching any starters on 3 days rest of pitching Duran 3 straight days, but I’m giving it a good shot minus those extremes.

          First, I believe there is benefit in playing for something and with full effort all the way up until the end of the regular season to improve our odds we come out strong after that week off during the wildcard round. Chasing down Milwaukee will likely make the games up until the final weekend mean something, possibly until the final day.

          Second, the last 3 #6 seeds in the NL all won both their wildcard series and their divisional round series, with 2 of the 3 going to the World Series. And we should know this, because we were that team in ’22, we lost to the #6 seed Arizona in ’23, and we lost to the #6 seed NYM in ’24. Moral of the story? You don’t want to play the #6 seed in the divisional round because they have most often been the hottest team coming into the playoffs. The only way to guarantee you don’t play #6 until the NLCS is to be the #1 seed.

          I would much rather play the winner of SD/CHI than the winner of LAD/NYM/CIN/SF.

          Like

          1. I want the Phils — not a young or peculiarly healthy team at this point – to earn a bye with key players like Schwarber, Harper, the rotation and bullpen reasonably rested. All the rest of this stuff is just noise. I can’t picture a journalist asking Topper with a straight face about trying to avoid the #6 seed based on some selective reading of history. C’mon man.

            Like

            1. All those guys will have off Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday leading into NLDS Game 1 on Saturday, and then they’ll get another rest day on Sunday before playing Game 2 on Monday, and ANOTHER rest day on Tuesday before Games 3 and 4. This team, if the regulars play every day of the final weekend of the season, will have off 5 straight days and will play 2 games in 9 days between the end of the regular season and Game 3 of the NLDS. Getting rest and being fresh is far less of a concern than how to stay sharp and focused after the longest layoff they have since spring training games started back in Feb/March.

              Selective reading of history, or the facts of the past 3 NL playoffs?

              Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

              Like

      1. To Buddy, all that is well and good except if guys like Harper aren’t dinged a bit now and promise not to get hurt before then season ends. Topper is already showing his band by not whipping the horses when it comes to the innings he asks from his rotation starters. No reason to push guys coming back from the IL.

        It’s working well. His priority has to be putting a healthy, rested team on the field for the October party, earning a bye earlier. I don’t usually quote myself but all the rest really is noise.

        Like

  35. Read where the Mets were going to piggyback Holmes & Manaea on Tuesday to try to save their bullpen. Would the Phillies consider Buehler and Nola in the same role for the playoffs?

    Like

      1. I don’t mind having Nola pitch shortened innings and I like Banks, so why wouldn’t you have Nola start (it’s a role he’s accustomed to), pitch 3 or 4 innings and then bring in banks for 2?

        Like

        1. I’d want the opposing manager to set up his lineup for a LHP….which would mean Nola will see more RHBs. Now if the opposing manager knows Banks , as a lefty, will only be there for two innings, he will still have LHBs in there, but at least Banks will be able to get thru them. Also, Nola’s third time thru the lineup is a killer for him….by then maybe the game will be in the 7th inning and the Phillies are not trying to claw their way back into the game..

          Like

          1. Okay, so you’d hope to use the element of surprise so the manager sets up the line-up for a LHP, even though he knows Banks won’t be in the game more than two innings. I’m not sure I agree, but I see where you’re going with this.

            Like

  36. Yesterday, Nola was fabulous for 3 innings, very good for 4 innings, and solid through 5. In the sixth inning he gave up a cycle.

    This is still like spring training for him. As I have implored a couple of times recently, let’s give him the benefit of the doubt.

    Like

    1. ciada…Nola has two more schedules starts…Sat in Arizona and then Friday the 26th vs Minny at home…with an extra days rest. If they still clinch the division ……he should get those starts to see if he improves and comes around. Then it will be decision time with him for the play-offs. Last 10/15 years starters only go 5 innings 40% of the time…..before they would go 5 innings or more over 70%.

      Like

    2. Nola was very good through 4 innings. In the 5th Yaz worked him for a 9 pitch full count with a double leading off the inning. Nola got through the rest of the inning and looked like he still had good placement. In the 6th he unraveled. I’ve watched him do this before. Does he go mental after a long at bat and start to not trust his stuff which affects his control? He has been too good of a pitcher for a long time to say he has lost it but I think his frustration of not putting a guy away on 5 pitches makes him try to get too precise thus leaving pitches over the middle belt high

      Like

    1. You may be right that he will get better as he goes along, but he’s not really in ST mode. He had a long minors rehab and now he’s been pitching in the majors for the last month with six starts. He’s not being stretched out anymore nor is he just off the IL refamiliarizing himself with big league hitters.

      Like

  38. I really like Nola. He has done great for the Phillies. However, he most likely really has a bad contract going forward. But that is for another day. All of you have great ideas. He really has been in this situation going back to last season. Not sure where it really began. But for a while now he seems to always have 1 really BAD inning. Romus is much more in tune to tell us what inning the most frequent culprit was. I thought it was 4-6 most of the time. Now one really does not know. It was inning 1. Now he has been ok. Only point I am making is no one knows when, but it does seem to happen most games. I know some here think he will get a start in first round, and he may. I feel better with the lefties. Who knows maybe he does try something with Buehler and Nola, or he goes with Buehler in one game. No idea what plays out.

    Like

    1. I like Nola too, but baseball is a business. In Nola’s last season before his extension, he had one of the highest FIPs of his career, one of the highest ERAs of his career, and the highest HR rate of his career. And he was already 30. Everything was trending toward Nola declining.

      All that and the Phillies give him 7 years? It was a huge mistake.

      Like

      1. Maybe so. Now we have to hope that he can perhaps develop another pitch or make some adjustments so they Phillies don’t have 5 more dead contract years with him. It’s not looking to good, but who knows?

        Like

        1. Perhaps , if he cannot rebound next season or thereafter in 2027. maybe his pride will force him to retire after 2027……with the money naturally…I think the Phillies can do that, as long as it is against the cap.

          Like

  41. playoff roster question: are the phils still required to keep Marchan for the postseason as they were for the regular season or could they keep Stubbs?

    Like

    1. Must keep Marchan…unless he gets injured. So…..no, an MLB team cannot place a player called up on Sep 1 onto their playoff roster. To be eligible for the postseason, a player must have been on the team’s 40-man roster or 60-day injured list by Aug 31st at 11:59 p.m. ET. While teams can call up minor leaguers on Sep 1 for the remainder of the regular season, those players are not eligible for the playoffs unless they meet the Aug 31st deadline. 

      Like

      1. I’m confused by your answer. In your answer, you said “To be eligible for the postseason, a player must have been on the team’s 40-man roster”. I do know this to be true. Stubbs was on the 40 man, so I thought he would be eligible and could be on the playoff roster in place of Marchan.

        Like

        1. Any player on either the 40-man roster or the 60-day IL by noon, September 1st is eligible for the playoffs so yes, they could replace Marchan with Stubbs if they wanted.

          Like

Comments are closed.