Phillies News and Discussion 2025 Season

[Philsmania]

If someone had told me at the start of the season that Taijuan Walker's ERA in the major leagues would be nearly 2 runs lower than Andrew Painter's in the minors......

Credit to Walker for the moxie he shows out there without the best stuff. As is the case tonight, he has regularly put the Phillies in a position to win.

Attitude and work ethic were not Walker's problem last year. And, he was publicly accountable for his poor pitching. That's why the phanbase never directed a lot of venom at him. He's been a good story this year.

As for Painter, we are seeing just how long the road is back from TJS, especially when the surgery occurs midseason or thereafter. You basically lose three years--one year for rest to see if the problem goes away and surgery, one for recovery from surgery and one season to basically relearn how to pitch. Robertson and Dominguez saw the same timeline and each ended up losing better part of three years (both pulled up lame in 2019, both made September 2021 returns to MLB). The best hope for Painter is that he gets back to where he was next season.

[Philsmania]

Nice not to have to worry about the Braves this year...

I've been thinking...watch the Braves sort-of tank this season, get the #1 pick in the lottery and draft a generational talent with that #1 pick next July.

[Philsmania]

It does seem that adding Soto to the mix in Queens created some kind of disruption of the clubhouse culture there. Last year, Lindor and Alonso were the undisputed leaders of that team and both had fun and played hard while excelling on the field. In the Bronx, Soto was second fiddle to Judge so him just being cool wasn't a problem.

[EastFallowfield]

I thought that OMG started with Jose Iglesias, cause he dabbles in music and had the hit song with that title.

[zambonir]

But Gregory Soto's only been there for like three weeks!

Seems like it is more the pitching than the clubhouse culture. Plus Soto is merely having an All-Star season instead of an MVP season (even though he trailed his own teammate for MVP last year). Grimace, OMG, that stuff didn't matter any more than the Phillies' bamboo plants and home run hats.

[zambonir]

https://www.mlb.com/news/2025-mlb-playoff-and-world-series-schedule

WC series 9/30-10/2
NLDS starts 10/4
NLCS 10/13
WS 10/24

[EastFallowfield]

From the TV, 2024 vs 2025

Record 69-49, 69-49
Avg .255, .255
Runs/gm 4.85, 4.70
HRs 145, 142
Extra base hits 360,354
Starter ERA 3.47, 3.36
Reliever ERA 4.18, 4.27

[Philsmania]

From the TV, 2024 vs 2025

Record 69-49, 69-49
Avg .255, .255
Runs/gm 4.85, 4.70
HRs 145, 142
Extra base hits 360,354
Starter ERA 3.47, 3.36
Reliever ERA 4.18, 4.27

Zoinks, Scoob.

But, the two teams--AT PRESENT--are moving in different directions at this point in the season, 2024 was coming down from its June high while 2025 appears to be getting better as the season goes on. Let's see this comparison at the end of September.

[zambonir]

Yeah, I think the offensive numbers would have looked very different if it was July 1 or even July 15. Power has picked up since then. And of course the team has gotten better in these last two weeks.

But I think "direction" is still largely meaningless. The 2022 team was worse in September than it was in April.

[Austinfan]

Catellanos is in another funk, when will Thompson bite the bullet and platoon him?
Marsh/Wilson - Bader - Castellanos/Kepler is probably the optimal OF.

Otherwise they're as strong as they've been all season once Bohm returns.

And the bullpen will be as deep as any season once Alvarado returns.

Nola will bolster the SP, but Ranger is a concern as is Wheeler. With Walker pitching well, they can afford to rest those two if need be for a week or two.

[zambonir]

Nola will bolster the SP, but Ranger is a concern as is Wheeler. With Walker pitching well, they can afford to rest those two if need be for a week or two.

It's not that simple though. There actually has to be an injury, and then they're out for 15 days. The Mets' former GM got into a lot of trouble for phantom IL moves. A 6-man or skipping one start more doable. Would also be a bit easier in September.

Of course it's not hard to imagine it being announced that Suarez has had a recurrence of setback from his usual chronic back problems. Wheeler, however, just passed an MRI and probably thinks he struggled the other night because of the disrupted routine/more days off [which technically has been doing on ever since the break].

[andyb]

I get the feeling that some pitcher will hit the IL before Alvarado is back. We are just not at the point where we will release Ross or Romano. Wheeler and Suarez seem obvious candidates to work through some fatigue or back pain or summer heat syndrome - whatever they want to call it.

[zambonir]

Well, that would be a good way to solve two problems (resting a starter and not DFAing a higher-paid reliever), though an even more overt form of roster manipulation!

[andyb]

It will be interesting to see when they bring Nola back. Sunday would be 5 days and is Suarez' next turn (and an 11:35 start). Wonder if they push Suarez to Monday absent any IL moves).

I am going to Thursday's game. And the pitching matchup is Jesus (Luzardo) vs (Brad) Lord. Jesus vs Lord. I sense a Jayson Stark piece being written.

[zambonir]

There is talk of holding Nola until Monday to pitch at home, not that DC is very far. I've got tix for that one so kind of hoping. You're right that if they aren't sure what's up with Ranger that's one option (and would also essentially start a six-man if they go that way).

[VoteForKalas]

Jesus vs Lord. I sense a Jayson Stark piece being written.

Good God

[zambonir]

Plus Jesus's nickname is "Zeus"

[BaseballCat]

Taking the train to DC for Thursday and Sunday games. Visiting the sites in between - zoo, air & space and African American history and culture. Want to see the later before they rewrite history…

[andyb]

Have fun. Pandas should be out at the zoo. The downtown Air and Space has recently been redone and the AA museum is nice. Lots of breweries around the ballpark too (Bluejacket and Atlas are the ones I go to).

[BaseballCat]

Thanks for the suggestions. We might try a pint or two!