The Phillies did what they were supposed to, and then some, sweeping consecutive home series against two downtrodden teams. Now, the tests resume on a swing across the country from Ohio to California. Paul and Matt review the team's readiness for keeping the division close, the coming rotation shuffle with Taijuan Walker's return, and take a moment to appreciate the team being in the midst of a new "golden age."
As we continue to wait to herald the offense's arrival, the pitching continues to carry the day and keep the Phils afloat. With two of the league's more down-and-out teams coming to Philly this week, now would be the time to bust out the big bats.
It's not quite the fast start everyone was hoping for, but at 4-5 the Phillies are far from a disaster out of the gate. They carry some lineup concerns, but with strong pitching carrying most of the load, there are encouraging signs (even for those who have struggled) to be found as the team wraps its first roadtrip.
The Braves bolt out of the gate looking like a regular season power again, while the Phillies scrape together a salvaging Sunday win. Plus some thoughts on stated intentions (generally speaking) and how it'll be "still early" for the likes of Johan Rojas and Brandon Marsh for a little while yet.
Roster reviews! Positional breakdowns! Over/unders and props! A little bit too much laughing about Edmundo Sosa's aggressive approach! It must be time for the 2024 Phillies season preview. Join us on the journey and get ready for the opening series against the Braves.
As we begin the final week's worth of spring games, the Phillies have a couple of injury contingencies to think about: How will Bryce Harper's ability to play 1B impact the bench spot battle, and how long will Orion Kerkering need to ramp up? Plus, Ranger's early availability and the impacts the Giants' Blake Snell move could have on the Wild Card race.
Nearing the home stretch of the spring, the focus is squarely on health. As long as everyone stays healthy, this time is all about "swinging through it." Paul and Matt dig into what that means for Johan Rojas's slow start and the positional dominoes around him, as well as the Spring Breakout coming up this weekend.
Paul and Matt hop on to talk through Monday's news of Zack Wheeler's long-awaited extension, implications for the talent development pipeline, and how the somewhat unique deal for a somewhat unique pitcher stacks up to others across the league.
It's Matt's last check-in on location in Clearwater, and with just a handful of games in the bag, the guys chat about a back field game invention, Cris Sánchez's reinvention, and a lack of apprehension around Bryce Harper's (entirely too early) Gold Glove case.
Spring games are only days away, and we're feeling it. We chat about Whit Merrifield, money maneuvering, a long-term crystal ball outlook for Alec Bohm, and the drive to resemble Chase Utley from the scalp up.
We kick off our third(!) Spring Training on PT the best way we know how: Remembering some guys. David Buchanan is back! Namedrops of Brandon Kintzler, Corey Knebel, Mario Hollands, and more! Zack Wheeler's gonna get paid!
When we decided to record a new episode for this first time in roughly six weeks, very little had happened. So we asked what was on your mind...then the team immediately decided to sign Kolby Allard, and we watched Rhys Hoskins officially leave and land in Milwaukee. So Paul and Matt had a few things to talk about after all: Who's left to add? What's the team's long-term faith in the outfield and Alec Bohm (who's yet to sign his '24 deal)? Plus, one last round of extra appreciation for Hoskins. ...
Paul and Matt stop in for one more check-in here in 2023 to talk about Scott Boras's desire to extend Bryce Harper's deal with 8 years remaining (and what that extension could possibly look like), where Rhys Hoskins might end up, Joc Pederson's strange Instagramming, and narrowing the gap between the Phillies and Braves. Thanks for listening everyone, and a special thanks to supporters Michael, Mary, Matt, Benjamin, and Robert for their kindness this season.
Paul and Matt hit their first offseason checkpoint of this winter on the heels of Aaron Nola's new seven-year agreement. What does the rest of the offseason look like now? Are the splashes done? What about Yamamoto, Montgomery, Imanaga and co.? Dive in.
The offseason is here, sooner than it should've been. Paul and Matt (briefly) revisit Game 7 before looking ahead to some of the storylines (and sneaky subplots) to watch for as the offseason goes into full swing for everyone in November. A big thank you to those whose questions and thoughts on Twitter helped guide our chat. In no particular order: @Schneckvillemom / @BrentH22510775 / @PhightForRedOct / @testthesoftware / @PhilsTailgate / @hall126 / @MDub_20 / @marklarue2635 / @jayPB08 / @Gourbo...
It's the first Game 7 in Phillies history, and it's one that comes with a chance to repeat as NL Champions and face the Texas Rangers in the World Series. How they got here no longer matters; it's all about who's ready to step up and turn themselves into a legend. Who makes themself immortal tonight?
It's hard to complain about the first two games of this year's NLCS, and we're not about to try. The Phils go west for (if necessary) three games and the chance to repeat as National League champs. Paul and Matt extol the play of the "machine" and look ahead to the next two games, where the Phillies again hold the paper advantage.
It's a bit like looking at yourself in the mirror: In the '23 DBacks, the Phillies surely see shades of themselves from '22. Now, they have to put a stop that visage as their pennant defense continues. The National League Championship Series kicks off tonight; Paul and Matt walk through the names and all the looming matchups.
Citizens Bank Park continues to be a place where magical, legendary things happen. Paul and Matt look back on an incredible Division Series full of huge hits, huge pitching performances, and huge drama. Yooge.
The Phillies and Braves find themselves in familiar territory, locked up at a game apiece heading to Philadelphia for Game 3. Paul and Matt are here to check in and (only briefly) look back at Games 1 and 2 while considering whether the Phils hold the advantage in 2 of the possible 3 games remaining.
The Marlins have been taken care of. Now, the real test begins: A date with destiny and a rematch with the Braves. Paul and Matt look back on how the Phils took care of business against Miami, and what they need to do to topple the Braves again.
Red October is back. The Phillies kick off their Wild Card series tonight, and Paul and Matt dive in to look at how the teams stack up, what the Marlins would need to do to pull off the upset, and the impacts of the Phillies playing at home.
The Phils swept 4 from the Mets, and are lined up to clinch their spot in the playoffs this week. Paul and Matt take a look at the barren landscape of their fellow contenders' pitching, Orion Kerkering, the mercifully easy travel schedule ahead, and wonder a bit more about how Cris Sánchez fits into all this.
Breathing (a bit) easier after the start to the Cardinals series, Paul and Matt size up and rank the top current contenders for the Phillies' opponent in the Wild Card round. Plus a look at how (and with who) the playoff rotation might shake out behind Zack Wheeler. Is Nola still #2? Does Taijuan Walker make a start before Cris Sánchez?
The Phillies still have a top Wild Card spot to solidify, and a little bit of pride to save by keeping the Braves from clinching the division on their turf this week. Paul and Matt survey the pitching situation, the full-unit offensive turnaround since The Ovations, and think about the best outfield combinations as the playoffs creep closer.
With the long holiday weekend in the books, Paul and Matt hop on to talk about the fascinating season that is Kyle Schwarber's 2023, why the bullpen's recent struggles shouldn't conjure too many memories of last September, and a couple Old School vs. New School debates that are sure to go over well.
The Phillies can't stop hitting homers and padding their Wild Card position, and you know what? That feels pretty good. Now the Ohtani Sho(w) comes to town, pitting two franchises who could not be on more different paths against one another. Paul and Matt regroup to extol the virtues of multi-run homers, Bryson Stott possibly turning into an s-word (not that one, the good s-word), and the not-so-impossible feat of winning 90 games.
It's time for another Giants series, and you know what that means: Paul has a normal one. Matt recaps the spectacle of the Little League Classic from out near Williamsport, and the guys take stock of the team and Wild Card scenarios as they head into the end stages of August.
Even a flat ending to last weekend's Twins series can't take all the shine away from the Phillies' current positioning. Their play the past month-plus has helped push them to the top Wild Card seed, with a couple games' cushion to boot. Paul and Matt test the waters of confidence and extol the team's play, while thinking ahead to some upcoming rotation strategy and roster configuring.
It was a productive week in Wild Card Land, as the Phillies surged ahead while some others began to fall off. Paul and Matt check in on post-ovation Trea Turner, the remarkable production of the young bats, the upcoming week-plus of a Frankenstein('s monster) in left field, and local vs. national expectations four months in.
