Paul and Matt dig in a bit deeper on Andrew Painter scenarios, some names to watch as Rule 5 protection lists come due, and the loss of Brian Kaplan to the Diamondbacks' coaching staff. For more, visit patreon.com/PhilliesTherapy
The Phillies are fielding trade interest in some of their Major League players. Which ones? How many would it be sensible to trade away, and what kinds of returns should the Phillies seek or expect? Plus, a bit more on the influx of cash from new ownership partners, what to make of it, and where it's likely to be put to use. Paul and Matt have you covered. For more, visit patreon.com/PhilliesTherapy
Will the Phillies pursue Juan Soto? Who should the Phillies add to replace Juan Soto in the bullpen? How many innings will Juan Soto pitch as the 5th starter? Is there a limit to how much Juan Soto can spend to add free agents? Finally, Juan Soto. Paul and Matt discuss the offseason at the outset of the GM meetings in Texas, where the Phillies have some decisions to make as they prepare to lay the groundwork to court a new superstar; failing that, what else could they reasonably do to shore up t...
President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski and Manager Rob Thomson held their annual postseason media availability this week, offering few concrete details on the offseason ahead but nevertheless shining some light on possible paths forward. Paul and Matt get into the nitty-gritty.
Paul and Matt host a solemn gathering to eulogize the disappointing 2024 Phillies and their abbreviated playoff run, then take a (very early) look ahead to what the '24-'25 offseason may bring. Who stays? Who goes? Does this core have another strong run in them? The wounds are fresh, but Paul and Matt talk them through while getting stitched up.
Did you expect anything less? The Phillies and Mets have played two wild games to start their Division Series matchup, and it all boils down to a series tied at 1; a best 2-of-3. After a waste of Zack Wheeler's brilliance in Game 1, the Phils showed up with an instant classic in Game 2. Paul and Matt revisit the moments, the pitching concerns, the interesting message sent via an Alec Bohm benching, and the heroics of Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos.
When the Phillies and Mets get together, you know weirdness is about to happen. Add in the first playoff matchup in these franchises' history and you've got a recipe for something explosive. Paul and Matt look ahead to a series the Phillies should hold the upper hand in, how the pitching and lineups should play out, and who needs to step up to give the Phils their third straight NLCS appearance.
With a bye into the NLDS locked in, the Phillies will rest and prepare for the winner of the Milwaukee Brewers/New York Mets Wild Card matchup. Paul and Matt take a quick look back on the season that was, potential roster moves ahead of this weekend, and offer strengths/weaknesses/predictions for the Wild Card round.
The regular season nears its end with the Phillies closing in on a home clincher. Despite a less-than-great road trip last week, there isn't a whole lot that's changed with the Phils, but the rest of the NL has certainly made it interesting. Paul and Matt look ahead to the off-ramp of this week's games and steady their nerves for the tension to come later.
The Phillies, powered by the collective of Weston Wilson, Buddy Kennedy, Cal Stevenson, and Kody Clemens, are mere games away from clinching their first division title in 14 years. Paul and Matt discuss playoff roster implications for the bench and rotation as the team zeroes in on the NL East crown.
After a flat end to an otherwise solid road trip, the Phillies are singing the 5th starter blues. But does that really matter in the bigger picture? Paul and Matt review the growing challenges to position player depth and the start of a key stretch that includes a big Milwaukee series next week.
The Phillies took three of four from the Braves. Sounds familiar! Paul and Matt revisit the weekend's heroics, celebrate the pitching staff's return to form, highlight some offensive concerns (and their positive offsets), and look ahead to final 25 games of the regular season.
Paul and Matt revisit the offense's rediscovered success in the Royals series, wonder what the heck to do about Taijuan Walker, and ponder if the Phillies can finally take care of business against the Braves.
After a flat start to the homestand, the Phillies have swung back to looking like their old selves this week. Powered by a tide-turning Kyle Schwarber grand slam and an unlikely cycle from unsung hero Weston Wilson, the Phils have rebuilt their division lead to 8 games ahead of Sunday's series finale with Washington. A tough road test lies ahead, so just how back do we think the Phils really are? Paul and Matt break it down.
Rare is the team that can make "20 games over .500 and 7.5 games up in the division" feel so...bad? Recency bias is a hell of a drug. But the Phillies have some issues that are beginning to crystalize into concerns; how much longer do we need to wait for them to right the ship? And will they be able to sail like they were earlier in the year? Paul and Matt dig in.
A week of uninspiring baseball draws to a close with a 6-0 win in Seattle, thanks in no small part to divine baseball god intervention. Is this what finally gets the Phillies back on track? Paul and Matt (briefly) peek back at the glum week that was, brace for the remainder of the west coast trip, and check in on the mood of the team amidst these struggles.
The Phillies made two moves ahead of Tuesday's deadline, for a reliever (expected) and an outfielder (also expected, but maybe not WHO was expected). And they may be done! Paul and Matt recap the moves, take stock of the new lineup and bullpen configuration options, and echo Bryce Harper's sentiment that it's time for the stars to step up.
With only a little over a week to go before next Tuesday's trade deadline, Paul and Matt take an updated look at the deal landscape (spoiler: Not a ton has changed), welcome back J.T., wonder if the division is all but over in light of the Braves' latest injuries (Whit Merrifield notwithstanding), and look ahead to the forthcoming six-man rotation.
The Phillies dropped their final series of the first half (whatever), and now get to send nearly a third of their roster to Texas for All-Star festivities. With the break upon us, eyes begin to turn even more toward the trade deadline later this month. Paul and Matt talk about a surging Gregory Soto, the lack of a fit for Brent Rooker (and a better fit for others), and how the Phillies view the upcoming second half.
It's a special All-Star edition of PT, as Paul and Matt talk about the team's seven(!) All-Star nods. Plus, Phillies pitcher Orion Kerkering drops by to chat about the clear and widening gaps between the upper minors and the Major Leagues, the mental and physical adjustments it takes to work on an unpredictable schedule, and the MVP of the bullpen hat-toss game.
The Phillies, fortunate to escape last weekend's series with a split against the Marlins, now set their sights toward a far tougher stretch. Are these really "must-win" games against the Cubs, Braves, and Dodgers? How much comfort does the current division lead really afford the team? And how much clearer are the roster "problems" to be addressed this month? Paul and Matt dig in/
You know it's hot when the thermometer's reading is higher than Matt Strahm's ERA. The Phillies wrapped up a (literally) scorching homestand where they took 4 of 6 from NL West opponents — including a NLCS "rematch" with Arizona — and now swing out to Detroit before a weekend date with the Marlins. Paul and Matt review Cristopher Sanchez's new contract, Taijuan Walker's injury, and fondly remember the Steve Susdorf Game. Be sure to listen all the way to the end for an easter egg!
The quest for 100 wins and beyond had a minor setback this week in the Phils' first games back stateside since London, but they're really no worse for wear. Plus, the cavalry is coming in the form of Brandon Marsh (already returned) and Trea Turner (to be activated Monday). With a hot homestand on deck, the Phillies will look to right the ship and get back to their winning (more often) ways.
After giving Europe a taste of their particular brand of baseball in a characteristically weird two-game set, the Phillies return home from London for an American League road test against the Red Sox and Orioles. Paul and Matt look back on London — from David Dahl to Gregory Soto — and look ahead to the Injured List cavalry of Trea Turner and Brandon Marsh returning.
Hoby Milner! Oliver Dunn! Matt Klentak! And some guy named Rhys Hoskins. The Brewers are in town for the Phillies' last regular set before this weekend's London Series, with a warm welcome expected for (at least) one of those guys. Paul and Matt recap the injury situation, lament Whit Merrifield a little, and look ahead to the Phils and Mets unleashing their particular brand of baseball on some unsuspecting Europeans.
There is no greater equalizer, no force more compelling, no gravity more inescapable than that of some grating defeats out west. It is inevitable. The Phillies finish navigating their stretch out in The Forbidden Lands having finally lost a series and consecutive games. Now, with Ronald Acuña Jr.'s season ending prematurely, the onus is squarely on the Phillies to keep the Braves at arm's length.
The Phillies continue to capitalize with the cards they're dealt, sweeping the Nationals over the weekend to reach a ludicrous 20 games over .500 before Memorial Day. Paul and Matt go over how the schedule has helped (but not caused) the hot start, the useful Kody Clemens, and a growing fascination with Cristopher Sánchez.
Another week, another winning record. Despite some dings and dents, the Phillies kept their no-loss series streak alive. Now, they take on two more NL East rivals in what should be a slightly tougher test than the one the Marlins provided. Paul and Matt talk about roster fits and flexibility, the reemergence of Bryson Stott, and how to strategize for potential summer trade pickups.
Phillies Pitching Coach Caleb Cotham (@ceetwo35) joins Paul and Matt as his (practically) league-leading staff has helped carry the Phils to their best start in years. He shares his thoughts on preparation and injury avoidance, game planning and altering repertoires. Plus, Paul and Matt on the Trea Turner injury and what lies ahead for the middle of the infield.
Paul and Matt's first Twitch simulcast episode (of which you are hearing the audio-only portion, naturally) finds them evaluating the ups and downs, reals and not-reals of the season's first nearly-complete calendar month.
