In their first post-All Star series, the Phillies were swept, at home, by the Cubs; Nick Castellanos was booed, then asked about it in a tense locker room interview (and post-interview) with NBC's Jim Salisbury; the offense and the 5th starter's spot each came up short; and we're still no closer to getting a good feel for what this team's trade deadline activity might look like. Things are going well at the moment.
Alright maybe not literally...but the Phillies' relief corps has been great, and a huge reason why they've stayed in the postseason hunt without Bryce Harper & co. Can they keep it up? Do they need help? How would we prioritize the team's trade needs, and whose first halves are we buying or selling?
All-Star selections are in, and the Phils have two pretty high-profile snubs accompanying their two electees. Will that matter? Plus, the trade deadline planning takes yet another turn as the starting rotation takes a couple of hits and the Phillies prep for running out a depleted roster in Toronto.
Paul and Matt dig deep on Didi, what it takes to keep players happy, Zack Wheeler's reinvented dominance, Matt Vierling as Ben Zobrist, and embracing the chaos of "why not?"
Bryce Harper is hurt. The season has changed. With 88 games left, and 5 weeks until the trade deadline, what comes next for these Phillies? Paul and Matt chat it out. This episode sponsored by Loupe (https://loupe.cards)
Paul and Matt dig into the near and far futures of second base and catcher, what it means to "win a game you shouldn't have," and the Wall of Fame. This episode sponsored by Loupe (https://loupe.cards)
Matt returns to us now, at the turn of the tide, from beneath Citizens Bank Park to review what's real or not real about this team versus six weeks ago, and to eulogize the Joe Girardi Era. This episode sponsored by Loupe (https://loupe.cards)
Destiny Lugardo (@destiny_lugardo) of Phillies Nation and Leo Morgenstern (@morgensternmlb) of SI Phillies join Paul to bask in the glow of last weekend's Angels series before figuring out just how much to believe in this being the start of something great, and what needs to happen this month in order to keep it great (35 homers from Kyle Schwarber would be nice). This episode sponsored by Loupe (https://loupe.cards)
A brief solo show from Paul on the dangerous roads the Phillies currently find themselves skidding along. Resources for helping the people and community of Uvalde, TX: https://www.npr.org/2022/05/25/1101161673/how-to-help-uvalde-school-shooting
Phillies meme curator Ballin' (the pen name of Twitter's @inthephanattic) joins Paul to discuss her craft of Phillies content collection and creation, try to figure out why the "fun" element of these Phillies can sometimes go missing, and reveals the Beefy Boy of the Day in a pod exclusive (that has since been spoiled, but we're counting it). This episode sponsored by Loupe (https://loupe.cards)
Baseball Prospectus's Rob Orr (@NotTheBobbyOrr) joins the show to talk about his journey from the Phillies writing sphere to the national stage at BP, the Phillies' (mostly) successful 7-game road trip, and how we all can learn to love the Phils' prospect pipeline again. This episode sponsored by Loupe (https://loupe.cards)
Phillies Nation's Destiny Lugardo (@destiny_lugardo) pops by for a session on whether last week's Mets collapse "defines" the Phillies, the ever-tightening leash around Joe Girardi, looking forward to Rhys Hoskins's next slump breakout, and whether the West Coast road trip will be worth staying up for. This episode sponsored by Loupe (https://loupe.cards)
A quick bonus conversation with the Phillies front office leader on her rise from the Phillies blog world to one of the highest positions with the club. (Editor's note: Technical difficulties meant Paul needed to use a backup mic, which only kinda makes him sound like he's underwater.) This episode sponsored by Loupe (https://loupe.cards)
Paul and Matt relive the multiple personalities of last week's Rockies sweep and Mets series loss, try to reset their expectations for what a "good" offense is with this year's ball and run-scoring trends, and envision a time capsule to be opened in mid-June what Matt returns. This episode sponsored by Loupe (https://loupe.cards)
Matt and Paul revisit the infield situation (for the 4th, and definitely not last, time), come to some sort of grips on the inevitability of Ronald Torreyes and José Alvarado, and wonder how to get a request down to the batting practice DJ. This episode sponsored by Loupe (https://loupe.cards)
A rough first battle with divisional opponents leaves the Phils a bit bruised at 4-6, but bigger questions are lingering. When will Zack Wheeler be 100%? How soon is too soon to be making big lineup changes? And is Alec Bohm's fate really just to be another semi-failed Triple-A graduation? This episode sponsored by Loupe (https://loupe.cards)
Paul and Matt recap the home-opening series victory against the A's and cower in fear of what supernatural terrors the first Phils/Mets series of the year will bring. This episode sponsored by Loupe (https://loupe.cards)
A quick bonus hit as Paul wraps up this round of listener-submitted over/unders that were cut for time in episode 3.
Paul and Matt tackle some tweeted over/unders, picture a full season that goes (mostly) right, and approach physical illness at the mention of John Lannan.
Staying in step with Hollywood's biggest night, Paul and Matt contemplate who could be the 2022 Phillies' Best Actor, Supporting Actor, and more. And of course, no award show would be complete without an afterparty, where third base continues to be the hot topic among the VIPs.
There's a whiff of hope in the air around Clearwater and the greater Philadelphia area. The Phillies have made some big moves, and are all-in on an offense-heavy roster for this season. Can they conjure up memories of the 2007 team's offensive barrage, or will a lack of depth eventually do them in?
