Just now, e-a-g-l-e-s eagles! said:

What’s funny is the pitching has been outstanding since Mattingly took over. hitting is still mediocre. So at some point in time maybe you’re hitting coach who’s done nothing probably needs to be fired.

I would be elated if Kevin Long gets fired, right there below Dave Dombrowski. Get this clown off of my team. This offense drives me nuts

Explains the lifeless offense tonight

I’ve been down on the Phillies since last year and predicted they would not make the playoffs this year in the offseason. That’s mostly my infuriation with their system and resignation to the inevitable aging and decline of the foundation of this team.

That said, when Wheeler and Sanchez get going…and if Luzardo can settle down as the #3…it’s hard not to find hope again. I never expected Wheeler to be back as his old self.

Just now, e-a-g-l-e-s eagles! said:

At least we beat the Yankees for him

Back to .500

1 hour ago, e-a-g-l-e-s eagles! said:

It's a shame this will probably go to waste

2 minutes ago, Bwestbrook36 said:

It's a shame this will probably go to waste

Yup their hitting has been what we thought. Stott somehow is 3rd on the team with 25 RBI. Nothing against Stott but speaks to they have a major issue outside of schwarber and Harper if Stott is going to be third

11 hours ago, e-a-g-l-e-s eagles! said:

I don't know the numbers, but I would imagine that Halladay and Lee went much deeper into games than Wheeler and Sanchez. That's also a reflection of the sport in 2026 more so than a shortcoming of Wheeler/Sanchez, but it still remains a differentiator. I remember last year people were arguing that the rotation was better than the Halladay/Lee/Oswalt/Hammels rotation. It wasn't.

I don't see how these two can keep up May through the whole year. It's just not possible. What is possible, however, is maybe having a second peak and playing in October the way they are playing in May. If that happens, the sky is the limit. But that will take some luck. They really need Luzardo to stabilize himself into a great #3...Painter seems to be turning it around, but I'd say the smart money is that he's not going to give them much in an October playoff rotation, as that's a huge number of innings for someone who isn't used to pitching much.

I know everyone is back on the bandwagon, but we have to acknowledge this team is still a huge longshot to cross the finish line and actually win a title. And think of the trade value that Wheeler and Sanchez have right now...

1 hour ago, eagle45 said:

I don't know the numbers, but I would imagine that Halladay and Lee went much deeper into games than Wheeler and Sanchez. That's also a reflection of the sport in 2026 more so than a shortcoming of Wheeler/Sanchez, but it still remains a differentiator. I remember last year people were arguing that the rotation was better than the Halladay/Lee/Oswalt/Hammels rotation. It wasn't.

I don't see how these two can keep up May through the whole year. It's just not possible. What is possible, however, is maybe having a second peak and playing in October the way they are playing in May. If that happens, the sky is the limit. But that will take some luck. They really need Luzardo to stabilize himself into a great #3...Painter seems to be turning it around, but I'd say the smart money is that he's not going to give them much in an October playoff rotation, as that's a huge number of innings for someone who isn't used to pitching much.

I know everyone is back on the bandwagon, but we have to acknowledge this team is still a huge longshot to cross the finish line and actually win a title. And think of the trade value that Wheeler and Sanchez have right now...

Trade Wheeler and Sanchez? That's loser talk. Quitting already? Are we doomed?

Are the Dodgers trading Ohtani? No.

Why don't the Dodgers trade Ohtani? Think of the trade value.

Because they are willing to play it out.

We have Wheeler and Sanchez. That is a great opportunity in the playoffs.

We need 2 more solid starters by the end of the season and then we are dangerous.

The Phillies are buyers at the trade deadline.

If Sanchez and wheeler pitch like this into the postseason, we will once again be in the all too familiar territory of one right handed power hitter away from a potential WS win

5 hours ago, eagle45 said:

I don't know the numbers, but I would imagine that Halladay and Lee went much deeper into games than Wheeler and Sanchez. That's also a reflection of the sport in 2026 more so than a shortcoming of Wheeler/Sanchez, but it still remains a differentiator. I remember last year people were arguing that the rotation was better than the Halladay/Lee/Oswalt/Hammels rotation. It wasn't.

I don't see how these two can keep up May through the whole year. It's just not possible. What is possible, however, is maybe having a second peak and playing in October the way they are playing in May. If that happens, the sky is the limit. But that will take some luck. They really need Luzardo to stabilize himself into a great #3...Painter seems to be turning it around, but I'd say the smart money is that he's not going to give them much in an October playoff rotation, as that's a huge number of innings for someone who isn't used to pitching much.

I know everyone is back on the bandwagon, but we have to acknowledge this team is still a huge longshot to cross the finish line and actually win a title. And think of the trade value that Wheeler and Sanchez have right now...

A couple things, they might not even make the playoffs. The National League I think it is harder to make the playoffs this year than it is in the American League. The Phillies already would be in the playoffs if they played in the American League. I just don’t think the American League‘s depth is as good as the National League. If you’re gonna make the playoffs in the National League, I think you gotta get to 89 or 90 wins. Which means you gotta go 63-47 or 64-46 the rest of the way. The problem with the Phillies going 10 games over 500 is unless it just the rest of the season play at the clip they’ve been playing at. It’s going to be hard to get there. Cause it’s gonna be a point in time where they go on a losing streak and it sets them back from being able to do it.

I kind of think with the way the Phillies are they likely get to 85 or 86 wins. I’m not so sure that gets them into the playoffs. And I would say they could get themselves to 90+ if they go out and get hitting. Their biggest flaw is still the biggest issue it’s always been. Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber then unreliable hitters. somehow Bryson Scott is your third best run producer, which should not be the case.

I don’t think they can put up scoreless months going forward like Sanchez has. But Sanchez and Wheeler have shown they’re capable of being cy young type pitchers for an entire season. So that wouldn’t surprise me if they’re great rest of the year. I said the other week luzardo’s numbers are skewed due to the bad defense and his 1 implosion inning every 3 starts. Analytics really still favor him. I think painter is going to wind up being a BP arm in the postseason. Which is fine gives you an extra flame thrower at the end of the BP. Nola is going to be replaced at this point. Whether it’s wood or trade, who knows. If wood is good at this level then can either make him 4th starter for postseason or he becomes another weapon in your bullpen.

To me the pitching is not gonna be a problem if they make the playoffs just like it really wasn’t he overwhelming issue vs. dodgers in 2025. Although I do think they need a left-handed reliever because Jose Alvarado stinks and so does banks. So they really need to get that left-handed guy.

I think wheeler is more realistic to deal if they were going to do it. Has this and next year then it’s assumed he retires. If Phillies wind up being too far out of it by the deadline i think they have to ask him if he wants to be traded to a team with a legit shot at a title. Sanchez is still young enough at 29 that he can lead the next era rotation of Sanchez, luzardo, painter and wood.

Imo the Phillies still have the same problem they’ve had the last couple years. They need a right fielder that could hit with power. If you get that guy, everyone gets pushed into a spot where they’re better suited to hit. Which means there’s less pressure. At this point in time I would also consider moving Bryson Stott to the lead off spot as Turner has been awful. since the beginning of May he is hitting .263/.308/.556/.863 and had some clutch hits. Turner since beginning of May is .195/.230/.280/.510.

Please score some ‘ukn runs today, more than 3 preferably

Garcia 3 for his last 66. That is beyond terrible

Just now, RoadToHell said:

Garcia 3 for his last 66. That is beyond terrible

Dave routinely trying to fix outfield problems with guys who’ve been mediocre or bad for 2 or more years thinking they’ll turn it back around. Kevin long sucks so it’s not happening even if it could. Better off letting Cotham try it with pitchers as he’s actually shown ability to get whatever is left out of some guys

2 minutes ago, e-a-g-l-e-s eagles! said:

Dave routinely trying to fix outfield problems with guys who’ve been mediocre or bad for 2 or more years thinking they’ll turn it back around. Kevin long sucks so it’s not happening even if it could. Better off letting Cotham try it with pitchers as he’s actually shown ability to get whatever is left out of some guys

Might as well let the pitchers grab a bat and hit at this point. They couldn’t be much worse than that

4 minutes ago, e-a-g-l-e-s eagles! said:

Dave routinely trying to fix outfield problems with guys who’ve been mediocre or bad for 2 or more years thinking they’ll turn it back around. Kevin long sucks so it’s not happening even if it could. Better off letting Cotham try it with pitchers as he’s actually shown ability to get whatever is left out of some guys

If DD would for once get that one thing right outfield/ 4 hole hitter, instead he Fs it up every year.

Garcia is a laughing stock

This is why you don’t play sosa in LF. That’s a catchable ball with a better jump and potentially an out at home with a better throw

Why in the world would Sosa be in LF? It’s Bad News Bears with him out there holy crap

Painter can’t give hoskins that good of a 1-2 pitch however Bohm should’ve had that ball or at least knock it down. Add on Sosa stumbling in LF to the ball allowed the runner to score.