Phillies Postseason Discussion Thread - Monday, October 12

[u/game-threads]

Around the League

LAD 4 @ MIL 7 - Final

CLE 7 @ TB 3 - End 9

^{Last Updated: 10/12/2026 11:05:45 PM EDT}

[u/kangaroojack4433]

The Brewers look like they play a different sport than us

[u/Hothabanero6 → u/kangaroojack4433]

old baseball in practice

[u/Fandomstar88 → u/kangaroojack4433]

The Phillies should take notes.

[u/IsabelleMauvaise → u/kangaroojack4433]

Youth

[u/ats1788]

Thank you Brewers. Now keep it going

[u/Strange-Cold-5192]

As much as I enjoy the Phillies show, it’s so evident how Ruben was a terrible GM.

[u/beau9292 → u/Strange-Cold-5192]

If he mentions Harper being traded one more time I’m going to lose it

[u/karawec403 → u/Strange-Cold-5192]

I enjoy Ruben’s perspective as someone who’s held almost every job within a professional baseball organization. And often he does give good insight on the inside baseball going on. And then other times, it’s just baffling he was ever a GM.

[u/Strange-Cold-5192 → u/karawec403]

Agreed, I like the guy, and I find his insights valuable. I just fundamentally disagree on how he evaluates players.

[u/NintenJew → u/Strange-Cold-5192]

Honestly, that is kind of why I like the Phillies show the most. Love him or hate him, RAJ forms his own opinions instead of regurgitating the consensus "correct" view. He is wrong a lot, but he makes me think.

[u/Di5pel → u/NintenJew]

He does seem fairly self aware too and will often acknowledge things didnt go well, or that he made mistakes. Like the other week when he acknowledged it was a big mistake not to move some of their bigger contracts earlier (although Zolecki then pointed out that that wasn’t entirely RAJ’s fault and ownership intervened)

[u/ToddZolecki → u/Di5pel]

Just wanted to say thanks for watching/listening to the show ... even if you disagree with us. :) But to your point, I can tell you that Ruben did want to rebuild earlier than he did (he finally traded Hamels and Papelbon in July 2015), but he was told he needed to keep the core intact and try to keep the good times going.

[u/NintenJew → u/Di5pel]

Like the other week when he acknowledged it was a big mistake not to move some of their bigger contracts earlier (although Zolecki then pointed out that that wasn’t entirely RAJ’s fault and ownership intervened

Yep, I thought that was an interesting point when they mentioned it. I also think he is a bad GM, but I don't think he was nearly as bad as the fanbase believes.

[u/incognito042620 → u/NintenJew]

I think it's more that we really don't know how bad a GM he really was because there were obviously aggravating circumstances that prevented him from exercising his judgment. Maybe things would have turned out better if those circumstances didn't exist, maybe not, but we'll never know

[u/NintenJew → u/incognito042620]

You can say that about literally any position, which is why I think there are different levels before you can form a hard or soft opinion. That is just referring to the idea that you need to give everyone grace, and try to understand people are all have mitigating circumstances we don't know.

I don't think your point shows whether you can form an opinion, just how strongly you can believe it.

[u/incognito042620 → u/NintenJew]

I don't think your point shows whether you can form an opinion, just how strongly you can believe it.

I still believe Amaro was a shitty GM and would have made bad decisions even if he was allowed to make all his own decisions. Hell, listening to him blather when he's announcing Phillies games is enough to conclude that

[u/NintenJew → u/incognito042620]

Gotcha. Yeah I was going to say RAJs understanding of analytics during the time when every team was adopting it is why I have him as a bad GM. But I also think it's a "medium" opinion for me.

[u/Strange-Cold-5192 → u/NintenJew]

I genuinely enjoy all three of them, I just can’t believe how wrong I think he is

[u/NintenJew → u/Strange-Cold-5192]

My biggest problem with RAJ is it is clear he has some misconceptions about analytics and he repeats them every now and then and it confuses me. I can think of a few times he said something on the broadcast or the Phillies show and I legitimately had to look it up because I was like "that's just not true." or "I think he is completely botching this."

That's the only part that annoys me because I do think he confuses some people. I try to read as many articles and books as I can and even I get confused sometimes. It's why I can't get upset with people who misunderstand analytics on this sub or think they aren't useful. There isn't really a good educator on the subject in our fandom.

[u/Strange-Cold-5192 → u/NintenJew]

I fundamentally don’t understand how he values players. Like Tim Mayza was good this year and is perfectly fine as the 5th or 6th guy in the pen. He’ll probably be cheap. He can function in a variety of roles. But Amaro would only bring him back on an MiLB deal. Non-tendering Hill when he’ll make $2m tops as your 5th OF? But he loves Bohm lol (I do agree Bohm is overhated because this FO asked him to be a star when he’s an average player, though).

Even as GM, I didn’t think his MLB moves were terrible, but his talent identification, or lack thereof, is what doomed the team. He couldn’t draft for shit.

[u/_token_black → u/Strange-Cold-5192]

Ruben’s reign coinciding with management’s neglect of anything resembling scouting or development is a big reason why this team looks like this now

[u/bartwn52]

I really do hope the brewers beat the dodgers. Will be watching, and will be rooting all the way for the Brew Crew

[u/Bugsly55]

Personally love watching the Brewers destroy the Dodgers.

[u/ats1788 → u/Bugsly55]

Same!

[u/Silly-Date8921]

Gotta admit this brewers team is fun to watch

[u/ats1788]

Love watching the Brewers beating the Dodgers but now I’m pissed because why can’t the Phillies play like this?! Plate discipline, working the count, small ball etc

[u/Will-from-PA → u/ats1788]

Defense

[u/dmatje → u/ats1788]

Bryceball vs Briceball

[u/ChillStillWill → u/dmatje]

Bryce was one of the most disciplined hitters last year in the league

[u/OverallPersimmon6786 → u/ats1788]

Hot take but that’s not why the brewers are winning this series at the moment. The Brewers bullpen along with Ohtani playing his worst baseball are effecting things more than anything else. The dodgers lineup with a subpar Ohtani is not good, it’s just really old

[u/Hubris-Manifested → u/OverallPersimmon6786]

The Dodgers lineup with prime Ohtani is god tier (I say this through gritted teeth). The lineup with injured Ohtani is still probably S tier maybe at worst A+ tier

Anyway I have no idea what you're on about with the Brewers hitting. They got seven runs today and drove out the Dodgers' arguably best starting pitcher in less than 3 innings

It's a combined effort basically. Their bullpen is great. Their offense is great. It's all coming together. Dodgers are diminished (though you're over exaggerating how much Ohtani carries the team when healthy)

[u/OverallPersimmon6786 → u/Hubris-Manifested]

The point about the Brewers bullpen is that it’s been so good it’s given them the chance to not only take leads late, but also hold leads.

[u/Fandomstar88 → u/ats1788]

I miss when we had that….🥲

[u/Hothabanero6]

Fuck the Dodgers. Go Brewers!

[u/GuitarPlayer07]

Good morning r/phillies!

[u/cheesesteaksrule → u/GuitarPlayer07]

Good morning u/GuitarPlayer07!

[u/Di5pel → u/GuitarPlayer07]

Good morning u/GuitarPlayer07!

[u/WheelerDealsAgain]

Luckily for the brewers no one has ever blown a 2-0 lead in the NLCS before

[u/jmiah717 → u/WheelerDealsAgain]

At home and then heading to the opponents venue too 😬

[u/dmatje → u/jmiah717]

I was at all 3 of them AZ games. My soul still hurts but I still thought we would TAKE ONE OF TWO AT HOME

[u/Hothabanero6 → u/WheelerDealsAgain]

Right 🥴

[u/Chief_JD]

Manifesting Stott magically becoming Brice Turang next year

[u/Will-from-PA]

Making Yamamoto throw 73+ pitches in 3 innings is crazy work. God I wish that were us.

[u/Novel_Description761]

Brewers bullpen is one of the best groups I can remember seeing. Those guys are so good

[u/jmiah717 → u/Novel_Description761]

Similar to the Dodgers two years ago

[u/ac4897]

I’m so jealous of the Brewers offensive approach

[u/WheelerDealsAgain]

Prediction markets and gambling ads everywhere

[u/Will-from-PA → u/WheelerDealsAgain]

Literally got an ad from Kalshi today telling me I could bet on the weather. Wtf are we doing?

[u/jayleman → u/Will-from-PA]

It's a fuckin scourge man. It's everywhere lol gf and I are watching Disney+ for Halloween movies this month and it's like every 5min

[u/Will-from-PA → u/jayleman]

Don't worry. I'm sure every ad being a GLP1 or a gambling ad doesn't bode poorly at all for society

[u/Pedestrian_X-Wing → u/WheelerDealsAgain]

What's the difference?

[u/WheelerDealsAgain → u/Pedestrian_X-Wing]

Prediction markets are not considered “gambling” it’s more like stocks, legally. But it’s the same shit

[u/Pedestrian_X-Wing → u/WheelerDealsAgain]

I see no difference

[u/ats1788]

Contreras is having a night!

[u/Chief_JD]

Two more topper

[u/IsabelleMauvaise]

Cheerleaders in the MLB is the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen. Please, Phillies, have the dignity not to descend to this level.

I've always liked that the Eagles cheerleaders started out with a more traditional look and I still feel they're not as stripper-y as others.

With that said, I have watched ALL the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader shows since the beginning and am trying to learn Thunderstruck.

[u/sweetbabyted]

Good afternoon. I miss the Phillies.

[u/ElderJicama → u/sweetbabyted]

i keep reflexively opening the MLB app on my phone before realizing that there's nothing there for me any longer

[u/sweetbabyted → u/ElderJicama]

I’ve done the same thing too. The lack of a daily Matt Gelb article is also messing up my “first 30 minutes at the office” routine.

[u/Bugsly55]

Wow. Imagine having a really good bullpen...

[u/Will-from-PA → u/Bugsly55]

We literally did lol It's not our reliever's fault the manager waged a holy war on their shoulders and then was shocked that they weren't as effective when exhausted

[u/TheGreatDudebino → u/Will-from-PA]

Tim Mayza wakes up in cold sweats every night because he has nightmares that Mattingly was calling for him to warm up

[u/GengarMafia → u/Will-from-PA]

Genuinely do not understand how this is not the consensus amongst Phillies fans. Mattingly genuinely destroyed this team’s chances at winning in the playoffs with that shit (and winning in September for that matter lol).

[u/Bugsly55 → u/Will-from-PA]

While I agree with the mismanagement of the bullpen, I would argue that the Phillies 2026 team had a "really good bullpen." We had a couple of really good relievers. But not as a whole. When you see a team like the Brewers, it doesn't really compare.

[u/Will-from-PA → u/Bugsly55]

Not true. They were a top 3 bullpen by WAA until about halfway through the season when the dead arm chickens finally came home to roost. They were so depleted that we needed a recently returned Painter and Rangel to pull off 8 innings against the Cardinals because every one else but Bowlan was unavailable due to exhaustion.

It's really noticeable with Kerkering's game log in particular. Exhaustion breaks even the best units.

[u/Fandomstar88 → u/Bugsly55]

Imagine having trust in the bullpen…and offense…and defense….but trust in the bullpen espically because ouch does our show 😂😅

[u/dmatje → u/Bugsly55]

Bullpen was elite in 24 and still fell apart when it mattered along with the offense. 

[u/Bugsly55 → u/dmatje]

This is true.

[u/WheelerDealsAgain]

Need

[u/ulantan → u/WheelerDealsAgain]

Can we go halfsies

[u/WheelerDealsAgain → u/ulantan]

We can have shared custody

[u/Will-from-PA]

That was a clinic on how you beat an ace. Exhaust him through attrition and then do your damage when he’s tired.

[u/MrsTwiggy]

Been in a black hole of hurricane isaias recovery and we finally have power and internet! I’ve never been so happy to be sitting down and watching a baseball game.

[u/incognito042620]

Henderson just pulled a Kerkering

[u/Melwesky]

Holy smokes

[u/Pedestrian_X-Wing]

Dodgers should trade Ohtani.

[u/CrewOutside8690 → u/Pedestrian_X-Wing]

lol so much of this fanbase would be like yeah trade our whole team for him, tired of our choking. We need a winner like Ohtani. 

[u/harbison215]

Fuck the dodgers. Buying a championship doesn’t always work, and 3 in a row is almost impossible. Fuck out of here

[u/incognito042620]

I can't lie, I'd really love to see Cleveland or the Brewers win it this year. I respect Tampa Bay but just don't really want to root for them except in the most dire of circumstances

[u/djeeetyet → u/incognito042620]

now that the White Sox are out of it, I want to see the Guardians win it all.

[u/DaRealScoobyDoo → u/djeeetyet]

Idk if they are getting past this Brewers offense. They also seems to be a streaky hitting team at times and don’t we know all too well how that ends

[u/Electrical_Doubt3024]

Ramirez is just amazingly effective and fun while doing it!

[u/faithfulllittlebird → u/Electrical_Doubt3024]

I know he’s had some injuries, but it was still a very uncharacteristically down year for him. Cool to see him bounce back in these playoffs and shine brightest when the lights are on.

[u/Hubris-Manifested]

Holy fuck are the Brewers actually gonna do it

[u/Hubris-Manifested]

If they lose due to 2 errors... insanely depressing and annoying

[u/WheelerDealsAgain → u/Hubris-Manifested]

On the other hand. I really do not care if bad things happen to the Milwaukee brewers

[u/incognito042620]

Look at Jo Jo Romero all grown up now

[u/jhamels]

Not mad about it, just don’t understand why they’re running Ohtani out there when he’s clearly hurt and hurting the team.

[u/dmatje → u/jhamels]

$$$$$$$&$$$$$$$$$

[u/Will-from-PA]

We brought the eagles and flyers on ourselves by saying that the Phillies were the most disappointing team in town

[u/Hubris-Manifested → u/Will-from-PA]

Great time to be a "I only watch baseball" guy

Well, except for, you know... the whole Phillies situation...

But like I said... everything is going great and fine...

[u/backup1000]

Go Brewers!

[u/WheelerDealsAgain]

I’m rooting for both teams to have such a bad time playing this series that everyone leaves unhappy

[u/NintenJew → u/WheelerDealsAgain]

The best part about high-quality playoff baseball with teams I don't care about is that I can root for whoever is behind and switch allegiances at a whim.

So I always leave happy, and everyone else suffers.

[u/WheelerDealsAgain → u/NintenJew]

I’m rooting for the outcome that pisses the most people off. Which is the dodgers winning on an error in game 7

[u/Basic_Mistake_903 → u/NintenJew]

This is me. I have switched allegiances at least 5x since yesterday

[u/ats1788]

Can’t believe they left RISP. The Phillies would never

[u/Hothabanero6 → u/ats1788]

AFAIK the Phillies have never ...

^{I can't remember what I had for dinner 😉}

[u/Hubris-Manifested]

The Brewers radio ads are hilarious

Brats, cheese, a reminder to drive safely and of course adult diapers

[u/WheelerDealsAgain]

That made me chuckle

[u/ats1788]

Oh let’s go!!

[u/sweetbabyted]

The Brewers are so damn good

[u/Otterable]

Lets buy low on Shohei Ohtani as a ploy to attract Sato.

[u/Will-from-PA → u/Otterable]

Oh great, another bargain bin relief arm for the bullpen.

[u/Gapinthesidewalk]

This is the same Brewers team that rolled over last year?

[u/dmatje → u/Gapinthesidewalk]

No this is the 2026 team. 

[u/faithfulllittlebird]

Pshhh….Stott makes that play.

[u/Dapper_Jicama4848]

Go Brewers!

[u/jhamels]

Imagine your ace can’t even get through five innings in October. Couldn’t be me.

[u/skemojoe → u/jhamels]

He's running out of gas, his location is suffering and the Dodgers don't expand the strike zone (unlike some other team I know).

[u/beau9292 → u/skemojoe]

But he throws 105! Isn’t that super exciting and not problematic at all?

[u/skemojoe → u/beau9292]

He's here for a good time not a long time!

[u/ats1788]

Phillies need to take note of Brewers offense

[u/MisterCMC]

This Dodgers team looks as dead as we did in September.

[u/Hothabanero6 → u/MisterCMC]

modern baseball in practice

[u/Fandomstar88 → u/MisterCMC]

Karma 😂

….But dang it why couldn’t we had faced this Dodgers team last season? 🥲😑

[u/_token_black → u/Fandomstar88]

You kinda did… Ohtani was ass in that series

[u/WheelerDealsAgain]

Rays brewers or brewers guardians might be the least watched World Series of recent history

[u/Strange-Cold-5192 → u/WheelerDealsAgain]

Maybe the most interesting one in awhile tho

[u/Will-from-PA → u/WheelerDealsAgain]

It would be pretty funny going into a lockout where the owners claim they need a cap because they can’t compete with the dodgers tho

[u/spliced447]

The Brewers are so legit man. The way they actually work counts and stay alive in at bats is amazing. Phillies need to be studying this shit

[u/GuyaneseRumFan123 → u/spliced447]

At the same time they’ve been making the Phillies look like a sound defensive team all playoffs. Tons of errors in the Padres series and now this shit show.

[u/8thTYRANT]

This game is pissing me off because I KNOW if it was the Phillies, we're already in the 8th inning with Yamamoto at like 65 pitches and no runs. While Wheeler is near perfect but a Turner error allows one run. Phillies lose 1-0.

[u/VideoGangsta → u/8thTYRANT]

We were like the only team to touch Yamamoto in the playoffs last year though

[u/dmatje]

I hate how much I enjoy the brewers compared to the Phillies. Still hope the dodgers dugout smells of rutabaga farts. 

[u/cheesesteaksrule]

The only parts of the game last night that I saw were with the Miz kinda struggling a little bit, glad to see he locked in. 

[u/bartwn52 → u/cheesesteaksrule]

Yea he almost choked in the 4th or so. He got out of a couple that’s for sure. Probably still player of the game material

[u/karawec403 → u/cheesesteaksrule]

That double play to get him out of the 2nd ended up being one of the biggest plays of the game. He was really struggling, and the top of the order coming up next with bases loaded. Could have turned bad quick.

Whatever adjustments Miz made after that seemed to have worked.

[u/jmiah717]

Smoltz and Davis must get paid by the word.

[u/incognito042620]

This half of the inning has been some really outstanding baseball

[u/incognito042620]

Damn, chased Yamamoto after 2.2

[u/Hubris-Manifested]

Perhaps it's way too early to speak but that half inning against Yamamoto feels like one of those somewhat legendary battles people will reference for years to come

"You gotta go out there like the '26 Brewers and get their ace out in under 3 innings"

[u/Will-from-PA]

The only good Sal remains Sal Fasano

[u/faithfulllittlebird → u/Will-from-PA]

Sal’s Pals and Fasano’s Paesanos work!

Frelicks Peelicks does not!

[u/faithfulllittlebird]

Man, Rasmussen is slingin that thing tonight.

[u/NintenJew]

The Phillies Show Opinions and Thoughts.

1. I've always had trouble expressing my viewpoint on the Arizona fall league since we need to take it with a grain of salt, but Salisbury said it as concisely as possible. You don't face good pitching since many pitchers are out of their allotted IP for the year.

2. Salisbury believes the press conference delay is just Dombrowski getting all of his points aligned. He theorized the delay may be because Dombrowski is trying to figure out whether Turner is going to the OF and talk to him about it, etc.

3. Strong indications Mattingly is back as the manager. I don't think I have hated a process by a sports team I follow as much as this managerial search. If I should even call it a search, since it's just Cora, and then, "Well, we have Mattingly here."

[u/karawec403 → u/NintenJew]

Trying to hire someone who doesn’t want the job, not considering any other candidates, and settling for the guy that’s just already there. Then doing the exact same thing with the same people a few months later. Such a robust hiring process.

[u/Hubris-Manifested → u/karawec403]

It's crazy to so openly show their hand too. It's clear they don't want Don to be manager (or they want to look like they don't want him. But I think it's real. They actually don't want him as manager). They offer the job to another guy twice while Don is sitting right there. Now they're gonna go back to Don and be like "Yes, we openly don't want you doing the job, but we are apparently all out of options. You can keep the job for one season."

I dunno what his contract with the Phillies says he can and can't negotiate on, but it appears he has a say in being the manager or not instead of whatever he was doing before. If I were him and his contract doesn't forbid it I'd be like "The answer is "fuck off" unless you pay me more." I mean the guy is being disrespected publicly in my opinion. If you're gonna be disrespected you have a right to demand to be paid more. I know Don already has generational wealth and his son is nicely set up as well. Still, it's the principle of the thing. If you expect someone to eat shit and be a fall guy you should expect them to demand what they consider fair compensation for the public humiliation

[u/obiwan_canoli → u/Hubris-Manifested]

That's a lot of wild assumptions based on essentially a lack of evidence, but nevermind, I just saw your username.

[u/Hubris-Manifested → u/obiwan_canoli]

Excuse me, there are no assumptions in my comment lmao. They don't want Don doing it. That's been reported on a billion times. They tried to get Cora at least twice. Again, reported on.

I will take the compliment on my billionth alt's name though. Unfortunately not my best but also definitely not my worst. It kinda makes me chuckle when I see it and that's all that matters.

[u/Open_Tradition227 → u/NintenJew]

The manager situation has been handled so poorly this entire year. From the leaks to Cora turning down the Phillies twice. It seems like they rarely have a legitimate plan B. Idk how Middleton is okay with this.

[u/OverallPersimmon6786 → u/Open_Tradition227]

I think a lot of the current issue is the pending lockout. External hires apparently can’t speak to players once it starts so it likely really limited the list. Cora being Dave’s guy probably was one of the few external guys he would trust in this situation but once he turned it down, Mattingly or someone else currently on staff likely becomes the easiest choice due to circumstances

It feels like a big reason why the Mets and Red Sox went the route they went too as well as Arizona keeping Lovullo

[u/obiwan_canoli → u/OverallPersimmon6786]

I wouldn't trust Cora to park my car without taking it for Ferris Bueller style joyride.

[u/OverallPersimmon6786 → u/obiwan_canoli]

No offense but none our opinions about Cora matter at all

[u/obiwan_canoli → u/OverallPersimmon6786]

That's what I keep trying to tell people

[u/TheGreatDudebino → u/OverallPersimmon6786]

The Phillies show (I think or Gelb maybe) spoke to how the lockout staring on December 1 makes hires difficult because of no chance for managers to build relatiosnhips with their new team prior to spring starting and once spring starts you're jumping right into it full go at that point and have a month basically.

[u/Will-from-PA → u/NintenJew]

Calling the manager appointment a ‘search’ or ‘process’ is such a charitable statement that you should be able to deduct it on your taxes.

[u/ghoulbabes1 → u/NintenJew]

I am hoping they never remove the interim tag from Mattingly, because if you really think about it aren’t all baseball managers interim?

[u/NintenJew → u/ghoulbabes1]

Isn't there a saying that you never want to hire a fan favorite as a GM or manager because, 99% of the time, it only ends one way?

[u/ghoulbabes1 → u/NintenJew]

So which not loved former Phillie would be the best manager for 2027?

Papelbon

Odubel Herrera

Sean Rodriguez

Jake Arrieta

Others

[u/phillienole → u/ghoulbabes1]

I’d prefer Arrieta for pitching coach. I think he’d be good at convincing his pitchers that anything bad that happens to them was their teammates’ fault, which will be good for their confidence.

[u/incognito042620 → u/ghoulbabes1]

I think Odubel is the clear standout choice among this group only because his intellect manages to sit underneath the feet of all these other moral midgets

[u/Apprehensive-Buy4317 → u/ghoulbabes1]

Cesar Hernandez or aaron altherr?

[u/ghoulbabes1 → u/Apprehensive-Buy4317]

People didn’t like Cesar or Aaron? Not Philly greats but don’t remember animosity.

[u/CrewOutside8690 → u/NintenJew]

Thanks for this. I’ve seen talk that if they bring Mattingly back, they change some of the coaching staff to say they did something.  I wonder if that includes Long? They could change some of the base coaches or bench coach, but the only ones fans really know are Long and Dickerson and I guess Dusty. So I feel like they have to make changes there since they’re situational hitting and approach and infield defense need work and fans don’t know the rest of the coaching staff. I know those guys are heralded, but sometimes a change is needed. Except Cotham, he’s great. 

[u/NintenJew → u/CrewOutside8690]

I have said for a few years now that Kevin Long is a great hitting coach that may not be the best for our team because we need a diversity of ideas.

Unfortunately, I think we're at a point where they have to remove Kevin Long for reasons beyond "baseball." I can't imagine the fanbase will be happy if he is back, and Dombrowski has delayed the retooling and rebuilding so much that he's put himself in situations where the primary factor in decisions won't be baseball reasons, but other reasons. The first time I felt that was with the Realmuto contract, when we legitimately had no other options at catcher, so we couldn't make a baseball decision on that contract (even though I wanted him back).

But if we go with Mattingly, that also has a weird "running it back" sentiment.

[u/Strange-Cold-5192 → u/NintenJew]

Hearing players and reporters talk about Long makes me think that he’s very good at identifying mechanical issues and fixes, but that the approach he coaches is very, very wrong for this team’s tendencies.

[u/CrewOutside8690 → u/Strange-Cold-5192]

Yeah. I used to think that too and I think our fanbase doesn’t realize hitting is more than mechanics. But then there was that tweet about Ben Davis noticed how JT was finishing his swing differently and when he asked him about it, JT was like I didn’t realize. 🤦🏻 I think Kevin Long is helpful to some guys, but he is a bit of a blowhard. 

[u/faithfulllittlebird → u/CrewOutside8690]

There’s also 1B coach Paco Figueroa. Considering he’s also the base running coach I guess he could conceivably be on the chopping block as well.

[u/CrewOutside8690 → u/faithfulllittlebird]

Yeah I worry they keep Long because he’s Schwarber’s guy and they just gave him an extension and then just like fire the base coaches. Although the third base coach was the Pigs manager and he was not suited for the role. 

[u/karawec403 → u/CrewOutside8690]

They’ll probably do something nonsensical like fire Cotham and keep everyone else.

[u/faithfulllittlebird → u/karawec403]

Man, if they did something like that I’d be 100% convinced that they had fully adopted a “let’s purposely piss off the people“ objective and were actively encouraging a fan boycott. Lol

No other logical justification for firing the best coach on their staff.

[u/CrewOutside8690 → u/karawec403]

Or like keep Long and bring in assistant hitting coaches from teams with the same issues. Like the White Sox who just whiffed their way out of the playoffs or the Angels. 

[u/incognito042620]

Fox's intro and outtro music slaps

[u/joeco316 → u/incognito042620]

Sopranos soundtrack

[u/0hioHotPocket]

The Phillies and the guardians are my 2 favorite teams. So if you don't have a horse in the race I would encourage you all to hop on the Guardians bandwagon. We're a good group and I think we have a likeable roster.

Also:
José! José José José! 🎶

[u/Basic_Mistake_903 → u/0hioHotPocket]

The Guards are likable. I wouldnt mind seeing them in the WS. My gut says Tampa bay will take series fairly easily with their pitching, but definitely would be cool to see the Guards in the WS.

[u/GuyaneseRumFan123 → u/0hioHotPocket]

Bring a Coleman lantern and a radio
A Cleveland game and two fishing poles
And watch with me from the shore
Ghostly steel and iron ore
Ships coming home

Go Guardians

[u/obiwan_canoli → u/0hioHotPocket]

I'm pulling for you. Cleveland has effectively been my AL team ever since I fell in love with Hammy on the radio.

I might even be planning a trip out to the corner of Carnegie and Ontario next July...

[u/Pedestrian_X-Wing → u/obiwan_canoli]

Hamilton is great. I was listening the other night and he praised Franzke and CBP.

[u/obiwan_canoli → u/Pedestrian_X-Wing]

Yeah, I heard that too. Sounded like he must've gotten a text from Scott listening from his backyard or something.

[u/ats1788]

Ugh fuck off Dodgers

[u/Hubris-Manifested]

Holy fuck these Brewers!

[u/Electronic-Price2138]

hype for this to come in, its getting nippy out

[u/faithfulllittlebird → u/Electronic-Price2138]

What am I looking at….hooded sweatpants?? Lol

[u/Electronic-Price2138 → u/faithfulllittlebird]

A hoodie, upside down. It’s 2x

[u/faithfulllittlebird → u/Electronic-Price2138]

I know…I was just kidding cuz the pic is upside down. Looks awesome.

[u/Electronic-Price2138 → u/faithfulllittlebird]

i gotcha, thanks! been on the hunt for second hand 2x phillies hoodies lol this was the best i could find so far

[u/Known_Upstairs_7807]

It would be so funny if the Phillies didn’t hold an end of season press conference until after the lockout ends in May

[u/IceClear6344]

Does Tampa Bay even have fans? There are so many seats still available

[u/faithfulllittlebird → u/IceClear6344]

Last Rays fan I saw was sitting on a curb crying outside The Bank in late October 2008.

[u/faithfulllittlebird]

I wonder if other teams have inquired about trading for Caleb Cotham? Considering how much success/growth our pitching staff has shown under his tutelage, I’ve gotta believe he’s somewhat coveted throughout the league. I’d be curious to know what kind of compensation the Phillies would expect in return should a situation such as this arise.

[u/ats1788]

Was just watching Schwarber’s best moments of 2026 on MLB app 🥲

[u/NintenJew]

I just finished working out, and someone told me it was silly to wash the bottles you use to make your protein drink.

I have never been this upset with the Phillies, since I usually work out at home with the Phillies on. How am I going to look this man in the eyes again?

[u/Hubris-Manifested]

Potentially massive error with how low scoring these games are...

If it were the Phils suddenly deciding to make errors when they normally don't I'd be losing my mind. I almost trust the Brewers to make it up... maybe...

[u/RainingMoneyHustard]

Henderson out there looking like Trea Turner

[u/djeeetyet]

I'm glad to see all who has caused us strife suffer this postseason: Braves, Dodgers, Cubs, Rays, Mis.

[u/harbison215]

Imagine having a 2-0 NLCS lead and then blowing it… to an inferior team no less. God Philly is fucking annoying

[u/dmatje]

Wow I was repeatedly told by the giga minds in here that elite relievers pitching two innings or more than two on back to back days is impossible. 

[u/clitterati → u/dmatje]

the difference is that ashby is used to pitching multiple innings

[u/Fandomstar88]

Go Brewers!
The White Sox got eliminated…so the Brewers are the other team I’ll cheer for now.

[u/Hubris-Manifested]

TB choking hard. Game is becoming a circus

[u/Electrical_Doubt3024 → u/Hubris-Manifested]

Ramirez absolutely believes in chaos ball.

[u/_token_black]

It’s actually cathartic watching these 4 teams play baseball because they all run laps at how the Phillies approach the same game

Also an indictment on Middleton’s approach to the team given that 3 out of the 4 have a fraction of the payroll and much deeper teams

[u/incognito042620]

Didn't realize LAD-MIL was even on right now; I saw 5:00 and 8:00 and automatically assumed it was 5:00 and 8:00 in my time zone, not youse guyses

[u/Hothabanero6]

Huge

[u/Hubris-Manifested]

TB already up with 2 runs

I give less of a shit about Cleveland losing but... Ohio... yeah they gotta lose

[u/ulantan]

Fuck the Brewers and the Guardians

[u/ats1788 → u/ulantan]

We want the Brewers to beat the Dodgers though