Phillies 2026 News and Discussion

[julio]

I had a feeling Banks was more serious than reported. Pitchers just don't lose command like he did without something physical going on.

Officially, a forearm strain. Realistically... probably strained where the ulnar collateral ligament attaches. So they rest and rehab him, and then have to decide whether to go to arbitration with him, at the risk of a potential ligament transplant along about next July.

[zambonir]

Would be better to send him to the surgery in the off-season (if not sooner). But given how little money he makes and the lockout I would think you pay him unless you're definitely looking at TJ and having to go to arbitration with him again before '28.

[VoteForKalas]

Phillies are now 12-27 vs teams currently in the playoffs

[zambonir]

Not that I feel good about where the team is right now - check out the home record and the record against teams over .500 while you're at it -but all the stats are still somewhat skewed by the same thing the whole season is. 16 of those games were under Thomson and they went 3-13. Plus who is and isn't a playoff team keeps changing. Granted, 9-14 still not great! You merely want to be .500 on the road and .500 against the better teams. Oddly they have a great road record.

[Philsmania]

Not that I feel good about where the team is right now - check out the home record and the record against teams over .500 while you're at it -but all the stats are still somewhat skewed by the same thing the whole season is. 16 of those games were under Thomson and they went 3-13. Plus who is and isn't a playoff team keeps changing. Granted, 9-14 still not great! You merely want to be .500 on the road and .500 against the better teams. Oddly they have a great road record.

Aside from ten games against the Marlins and Nationals--two teams we've "matched up well against" in recent seasons--the schedule gets very favorable until the end of August. I could see us getting hot again--possibly illusory though.

Considering how we've played at home, I'm not sure we want homefield advantage in October.

[andyb]

On the (knock on wood) good side, we are catching the Marlins in a losing streak and the Nats without Mead and before their new left-handed pitcher (knowing lefties are our Kryptonite) is off the IL.

[zambonir]

I think the home field thing is kind of like reverse splits in a single season. You ignore it as meaningful data.

Match-ups and strength of schedule also always tends to even out. It's just that this year that will still mean the Phillies aren't one of the league's top teams.

The continued depletion and regression of the bullpen, and even the loss of Garcia as a simply steady everyday defensive option in RF, also didn't help.

[Austinfan]

This is a team approaching the cliff.
Yes, they have some bad breaks, but good teams have the depth and quality to overcome them.
This team depends on a bunch of over 30 players playing like their peak seasons to have a chance.

[Philsmania]

This is a team approaching the cliff.
Yes, they have some bad breaks, but good teams have the depth and quality to overcome them.
This team depends on a bunch of over 30 players playing like their peak seasons to have a chance.

Approaching the cliff and heading for several years of dark times. Maybe not next year but in time, Philadelphia baseball will have to pay the piper.

[bkox]

I think Bohm just secured his wall of fame spot

Alec Bohm passes Chase Utley, breaks obscure franchise record for RBI HBPs in...

[andyb]

Stubbs is back. Today was 10 days and I am guessing they got surprised by the Marchan injury. Catching for Nola tonight.

If we were trying to lose a game we'd run this lineup out. Sosa in for Schwarber. De La Cruz in for Rincones. Stubbs for JT. I guess the defense is a bit better.

[zambonir]

who's on first?

[andyb]

Bohm with Sosa at 3B and Bryce at DH. Hope it is just a mental reset for Schwarber. It is probably legit to say they should see more of De La Cruz. Just not sure he is any sort of answer. He does not really have much of a platoon split so they do not lose much by sitting Rincones who should probably be back in AAA.

[zambonir]

We should certainly see more of De La Cruz than Sosa in the OF.

Interesting to note that Bryce says he's trying to play all 162 games.

[andyb]

Schwarber listed as illness, so there must be some flu or cold going around.

[bkox]

some flu or cold going around

hope they didnt eat lettuce....

[dicemen99]

Mattingly didn't mince words:

"I sense Bryce thinking about it," interim manager Don Mattingly said Wednesday morning of the Aug. 3 deadline, visibly miffed about Harper's remarks from the night before (again via NBCSP). "I don't really sense anybody else thinking about it, honestly.

"I mean, [I've] been through this. Guys want to be GMs, what you need, without a real understanding of where the organization is, where this thing goes, not only this year, but moving forward. So again, players like being GMs and making calls and spending other people's money. I'll just let it go at that....

"Dave's been doing this a while," Mattingly still had to chime. "He's never really backed away from trying to get guys. We're trying to get better. We're gonna try to get better at the deadline, so...leave it at that."

I have to agree with Mattingly. Dombrowski hasn't really been shy at the trade deadline. And maybe Harper should concentrate a little more on getting out of the career-worst extended slump he's in. If he can.

[zambonir]

You have to wonder what the vibe really is when Bryce does that. Because he's basically still calling out Bohm (and has been since spring training) if not Turner. But he's also not wrong! Without Garcia it's just common sense that they need another piece (never mind that they were going to still need it with him). And all the hitters have to be frustrated by the 5th starter situation.

He did say "that's a Dave question" when asked about, which people are going to do this time of year. He could say "no comment" but not really Harper's style.

Mattingly should have said, "sure, I'd love to add an ELITE bat. Who wouldn't?"

At least he doesn't seem to have the stomach flu. Probably is already immune to the lettuce germs from the raw milk.

[Philsmania]

I have to agree with Mattingly. Dombrowski hasn't really been shy at the trade deadline. And maybe Harper should concentrate a little more on getting out of the career-worst extended slump he's in. If he can.

Harper seriously needs to shut the fudge up.

[Patchmk88]

I wouldn’t be surprised if Harper asked to be traded in the offseason. Not sure they’ll be a lot of takers, but he is starting to become the disgruntled veteran. Doesn’t say anything to inspire any fight amongst his teammates when he complains. His complaints are usually valid but they aren’t worded in a way of a leader.