Phillies Therapy

Motor City Memories

24 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 the...

Baltimore Chopped

17 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

London Dahl-ing

10 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

B(r)at Slam

03 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 weeken...

Humbling Bumblings Out West

28 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Regularly Scheduled Programming

20 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 befo...

Stott-omatic For the People

13 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Chatting With Phillies Pitching Coach Caleb Cotham

06 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Phillies Pitching Coach Caleb Cotham (@ceetwo35) joins Paul and Matt as his (practically) league-leading staff has helped carry the Phils to their bes...

A Quick Twitch at the Plate

29 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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, r...

A Weekend Beyond the Pale (Hose)

22 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Phillies did what they were supposed to, and then some, sweeping consecutive home series against two downtrodden teams. Now, the tests resume on a...

Rox 'Em Sox 'Em Robots

15 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As we continue to wait to herald the offense's arrival, the pitching continues to carry the day and keep the Phils afloat. With two of the league's mo...

Hard to Hit, and Not Hitting Hard

08 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's not quite the fast start everyone was hoping for, but at 4-5 the Phillies are far from a disaster out of the gate. They carry some lineup concern...

A Series of Statements

01 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Braves bolt out of the gate looking like a regular season power again, while the Phillies scrape together a salvaging Sunday win. Plus some though...

Phillies Therapy's 2024 Season Preview

27 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Roster reviews! Positional breakdowns! Over/unders and props! A little bit too much laughing about Edmundo Sosa's aggressive approach! It must be time...

April Rangers Bring NL East Dangers

20 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As we begin the final week's worth of spring games, the Phillies have a couple of injury contingencies to think about: How will Bryce Harper's ability...

Spring (Bend But Don't) Break

14 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nearing the home stretch of the spring, the focus is squarely on health. As long as everyone stays healthy, this time is all about "swinging thro...

Wheels Up! Phillies and Zack Wheeler Agree to 3-Year Extension

04 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Paul and Matt hop on to talk through Monday's news of Zack Wheeler's long-awaited extension, implications for the talent development pipeline, and how...

The (Not Quite) Official Podcast of Paco Ball

29 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's Matt's last check-in on location in Clearwater, and with just a handful of games in the bag, the guys chat about a back field game invention, Cri...

The Hair Up There

21 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Spring games are only days away, and we're feeling it. We chat about Whit Merrifield, money maneuvering, a long-term crystal ball outlook for Alec Boh...

The Spring of David Buchanan

14 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We kick off our third(!) Spring Training on PT the best way we know how: Remembering some guys. David Buchanan is back! Namedrops of Brandon Kintzler,...

Offseason Check-In: This is Not a Mailbag Episode

25 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When we decided to record a new episode for this first time in roughly six weeks, very little had happened. So we asked what was on your mind...then t...

Offseason Check-In: No Joc-ing Matter

11 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Paul and Matt stop in for one more check-in here in 2023 to talk about Scott Boras's desire to extend Bryce Harper's deal with 8 years remaining (and ...

Offseason Check-In: Nolapalooza

20 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Paul and Matt hit their first offseason checkpoint of this winter on the heels of Aaron Nola's new seven-year agreement. What does the rest of the off...

2023 Offseason Preview (& NLCS Game 7 Recap)

27 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The offseason is here, sooner than it should've been. Paul and Matt (briefly) revisit Game 7 before looking ahead to some of the storylines (and sneak...

NLCS Game 7: Time For a Legend

24 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's the first Game 7 in Phillies history, and it's one that comes with a chance to repeat as NL Champions and face the Texas Rangers in the World Ser...

NLCS Check-In: Hiss the Villain

19 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's hard to complain about the first two games of this year's NLCS, and we're not about to try. The Phils go west for (if necessary) three games and ...

NLCS Preview

16 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's a bit like looking at yourself in the mirror: In the '23 DBacks, the Phillies surely see shades of themselves from '22. Now, they have to put a s...

NLDS Recap: Phillies Beat Braves in 4

13 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Citizens Bank Park continues to be a place where magical, legendary things happen. Paul and Matt look back on an incredible Division Series full of hu...

NLDS Check-In: Swinging Home

11 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Phillies and Braves find themselves in familiar territory, locked up at a game apiece heading to Philadelphia for Game 3. Paul and Matt are here t...

NLWC Recap / NLDS Preview

05 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Marlins have been taken care of. Now, the real test begins: A date with destiny and a rematch with the Braves. Paul and Matt look back on how the ...

NLWC Series Preview

03 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Red October is back. The Phillies kick off their Wild Card series tonight, and Paul and Matt dive in to look at how the teams stack up, what the Marli...

Close Your Eyes (And Count to Clinch)

25 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Phils swept 4 from the Mets, and are lined up to clinch their spot in the playoffs this week. Paul and Matt take a look at the barren landscape of...

Rank! Your! Foes!

17 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Breathing (a bit) easier after the start to the Cardinals series, Paul and Matt size up and rank the top current contenders for the Phillies' opponent...

Pride (In the Name of Runs)

12 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Phillies still have a top Wild Card spot to solidify, and a little bit of pride to save by keeping the Braves from clinching the division on their...

.200 BA, That's Why They Call Me Mr. Fahrenheit

05 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With the long holiday weekend in the books, Paul and Matt hop on to talk about the fascinating season that is Kyle Schwarber's 2023, why the bullpen's...

Angels / Losing / Games

28 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Phillies can't stop hitting homers and padding their Wild Card position, and you know what? That feels pretty good. Now the Ohtani Sho(w) comes to...

Williamsport You've Been On My Mind

21 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's time for another Giants series, and you know what that means: Paul has a normal one. Matt recaps the spectacle of the Little League Classic from ...

Near to the Wild Card of Life

15 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Even a flat ending to last weekend's Twins series can't take all the shine away from the Phillies' current positioning. Their play the past month-plus...

Clap Your Hands Say Trea

07 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It was a productive week in Wild Card Land, as the Phillies surged ahead while some others began to fall off. Paul and Matt check in on post-ovation T...

The Sound of Dust Settling

02 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The trade deadline has passed, and the Phillies made their moves. Are Michael Lorenzen and Rodolfo Castro enough to keep this team in playoff position...

The Calm Before the...Passing Shower?

31 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Trades are picking up league-wide, but the Phillies have yet to make their move(s). Does the relative silence mean something different is cooking? Is ...

Ghosts of Girlfriends Call From Cleveland

24 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After a disappointing two-series-loss week, Paul and Matt regroup to talk surgery impacts for Andrew Painter, Bryce Harper's immediate doubt allaying,...

Tranquility First Base Hotel & Casino

18 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Paul and Matt run through Bryce Harper's imminent debut at first base, the latest shifts and shake-ups in the trade market, and even a little dabble i...

All-Star Roving

10 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Paul and Matt hit the All-Star break to talk first-half MVPs, set the stage for the July trade market, and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz comp...

A Lack of Souvenirs

26 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bryce Harper's power outage has been a bit of a concern, but he's not alone. The Phillies are lacking consistent pop up and down the lineup, which has...

The Two Sides Of Monsieur Vasquez

19 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hey! Two good weeks in a row! Paul still isn't totally convinced, but wins are wins and the Phils are banking them. Meanwhile, Matt's got lots of good...

The Lonesome Crowded NL West

12 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Paul and Matt are feeling better than they were this time last week; winning ballgames will do that for a person. Now, having won 6 of their last 7, t...

Concerning the Baseball Team Near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

05 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Paul and Matt decide to get objective with their fears and concerns by putting together a tidy little four-round Concern Draft. Come in and bathe in s...

The Second Stage Turner Blade

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Underperformance ahoy! After taking the holiday week off, Paul and Matt are back to mull over the fate of fifth starters league-wide, the historically...

The Galaxy Is On Orion Kerkering's Belt

16 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Paul and Matt, barely hanging on to sanity after just one (1) game in San Francisco, mull over the 5th starter situation, the differing levels of conc...

Moonball

08 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What will a "good" season in 2023 look like? Through a month and change, ERAs are way up, and offense is thriving well ahead of schedule. How does tha...

Beaned Up For Bryce

02 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Armed with lots of coffee, Paul and Matt set the stage for Bryce Harper's dramatic early return from Tommy John surgery on Tuesday, and the homecoming...

Got That Dollar Dawg In Him

24 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Phillies are drawing big crowds! Bryce Harper is not made of normal flesh and blood! The bullpen is looking great! Only two of these things are li...

Hands of Gold, Hands of Diamond

17 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Paul and Matt buy and sell some early-season trends, with an eye toward Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh, as well as and Matt Strahm and Seranthony Dom...

In Search of Dingers

10 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Paul and Matt recap the Phillies' slow start and home opener festivities, with cheers for the sophomore batters and jeers for any pitcher's ability to...

Phillies Therapy's 2023 Season Preview

30 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The 2023 season is here, and hope is abundant. Projections, prognostications, and more from Paul and Matt as they get you set for 2023 Phillies baseba...

Rhys Hoskins Tears ACL, Will Miss 2023 Season; Now What?

25 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

They almost made it! With less than a week to go before Opening Day, an awful injury has hit the Phils as Rhys Hoskins has torn the ACL in his left kn...

Spring Check-In: Bench Spot Brawl

22 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's a bare-knuckle pugilist's paradise in the battle for the final spots on the Opening Day roster. Who's got the edge? What does the recent revelati...

Spring Check-In: The Enlightenment of Alec Bohm

08 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

While the feeling is it's likely the Phillies avoided catastrophe with Andrew Painter, the team is still awaiting the world's longest second opinion. ...

2023 Spring Kickoff

24 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The offseason is truly over: Spring Training games are here! Paul and Matt get together on the eve of Saturday's split squad lid-lifter to go over the...

Offseason Check-In #8: Painting By Numbers

20 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The world's foremost The Last of Us recap podcast returns...only to be immediately hijacked by baseball talk. Spring is here, the Phillies are filing ...

Offseason Check-In #7: Fan Survey Results

03 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's been a few weeks since we last checked in, and while that would normally mean there would be lots of news and moves to review...that's not the ca...

Offseason Check-In #6: Kimbrel, Soto, and the Arbitration Gang

09 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Happy new year! Paul and Matt are back to recap the past couple of weeks' moves, reassess the likely roster in the wake of those moves, and get set fo...

Offseason Check-In #5: The All-Drought Team

21 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Back in October (remember that month? Cool month), we asked for your position-by-position picks for the 2012-21 Phillies All-Drought Team. Who best re...

2022 Winter Meetings Recap: Turner, Walker, Strahm, Song

09 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Paul and Matt revisit the action-packed Winter Meetings, survey the Phillies' situation in the wake of their deals (both confirmed and as-yet-unconfir...

Phillies Sign Trea Turner

06 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There it is: The Phillies (reportedly) get their man on the first full day of the Winter Meetings. The club agreed to terms on an 11-year, $300 millio...

Offseason Check-In #4: The Winter Meetings

05 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt's back! And the Winter Meetings are in-person again! Paul and Matt set the stage for what could be a busy few days, with thoughts on the state of...

Offseason Check-In #3

27 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Bryce Harper's surgery, a POBO Dombo (we're calling him that, right?) extension, a trade that almost was, and a little Hall of Fame-ing. Hosted by Sim...

Offseason Check-In #2

20 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Awards announcements have come and gone, with few surprises...except maybe that 5th-place finish for Rob Thomson. Some small roster moves (Johan Rojas...

Offseason Check-In #1

13 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A (sort of) new shortstop has entered the Phillies rumor mill, a few minor moves on the 40-man fringe, and a contract extension for a member of the co...

2022-23 Offseason Primer

09 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Paul and Matt are up off the mat from the World Series loss and ready to dig into some offseason preview goodness. From money off the books to arbitra...

World Series Game 6 (and 7?) Pregame: To the Brink and Beyond

05 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After tough losses in Games 4 and 5, the Phillies must win two games on the road this weekend. Is there one more memorable push left in the tank? Paul...

World Series Game 3 Postgame / Game 4 Pregame: Tipping the Scales

02 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The World Series has shifted to the Phillies' favor after a dominant Game 3 win. Paul and Matt recap Ranger Suárez's ascent to Philly Legend status, ...

World Series Game 1-2 Postgame / Game 3 Pregame: So Here We Are, Again

31 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Does this feel familiar? After their third straight series with a 1-1 split on the road, the Phillies are back home for the final time this season. Pa...

World Series Preview: All That's Left Is Immortality

28 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tonight, the Phillies start their final series of the year. All that's left between this unlikely group and baseball history are four wins against the...

The 2022 National League Champions

24 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Somehow, some way, the 2022 Phillies continue to make the unbelievable turn into reality. They will face the Houston Astros in the 2022 World Series. ...

NLCS Game 3 Postgame: Safe With Segura

22 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

He had The Leap, now he's had His Game. Jean Segura backed up a strong effort by Ranger Suárez and the rest of the Phillies' bullpen with a huge two-...

NLCS Game 3 Pregame: A New Sprint

21 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The NLCS's lone off day behind them, the Phils and Padres will get set to break their 1-1 tie in front of another riotous Citizens Bank Park crowd. Pa...

NLCS Game 2 Postgame: Short-Term Memory Loss

20 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Armed with a road split, the Phillies come home for three straight. FanGraphs's Michael Baumann (@MichaelBaumann) joins Paul to talk staying grounded,...

NLCS Game 2 Pregame: Opportunity Knocks

19 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

With their third chance in three series to take the first two games on the road coming up, the Phillies look to assert control of the NLCS. Paul and M...

NLCS Game 1 Postgame: Hit Into Schw-orbit

19 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Phillies steal another game on the road, this time to take a 1-0 lead in the NLCS. Zack Wheeler was brilliant, Bryce Harper cracked a homer for th...

NLDS Game 4 Postgame: The Story Continues

16 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Phillies eliminate the Braves in 4 games, and will play for the NL Pennant. Yeah, sure, you saw THAT coming. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz comp...

NLDS Game 3 Postgame: Worth the Wait

15 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Phillies bulldozed their way to a 3-1 series lead, with a few instantly memorable moments along the way. Paul and Matt recap and look ahead to a p...

NLDS Game 2 Postgame: Six of One, Half-a-Dozen of the Other

14 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Phillies come home for two playoff games at home after a 1-1 split in Atlanta. Exactly what we all wanted, exactly how we wanted it...right? Paul ...

NLDS Game 1 Postgame: The Castellanos Game

12 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Phillies steal one on the road in Atlanta in another white-knuckle thriller. Paul and Matt give a nod to Nick Castellanos's finest day as a member...

NLWC Game 2 Postgame: Squirrels Be Gone

09 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Phillies are Wild Card Series winners! Paul and Matt (and what's left of their voices) look back on the weekend's games and the narratives that ha...

NLWC Game 1 Postgame: Exorcism 101

07 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Phillies snatch victory from the jaws of defeat with a wild 9th inning, and are now 1 win away from their first playoff series win since 2010. Pau...

Episode 29: The Clincher

04 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

They did it. They really did it. The Phillies are going to the playoffs! Cast your votes for the 2012-21 All-Drought Team here: https://forms.gle/cLSC...

Episode 28: The Point of No Return

26 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

So begins the road trip that will ultimately define this Phillies season. How long will it take them to clinch? How agonizing will it be along the way...

Sleep Therapy #2: Outhit, Outplay, Outlast

25 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Baumann (the FanGraphs writer, not the Orioles pitcher) joins Paul to cut through the pressure of the ever-tightening Wild Card race and look ...

Sleep Therapy #1: The Magic Number Hits 10

23 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As promised, the bonus episodes begin now. With a 1-0 win over Atlanta (for the first time since the Aaron Harang Era), the Phillies moved their magic...

Episode 27: Can I Borrow a (Positive) Feeling?

19 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Is the burden from the last 10 years, and the previous 4 in particular, too much to overcome right now? Is the thought of another Phillies (redacted) ...

Episode 26: The Magic of Numbers

12 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The pendulum has swung back yet again, and the Phillies have wrapped up a 5-1 homestand. It's time to pay a little attention to the magic numbers to c...

Episode 25: We Don't Talk About the West Coast

06 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Scrub it from your brains. That Arizona/San Francisco road trip didn't happen. It's all about looking forward and ahead to be a big homestand, where t...

Episode 24: Higher Education

29 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's been a long time since the Phillies were an actual, literal playoff team. But they're in a great position at the end of August, so is it time to ...

Episode 23: Some Cope, Some Hope

22 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

So, that Mets series wasn't great...but it's also far from the end of the world. Paul and Matt try to explain why this past weekend's series doesn't m...

Episode 22: Dead Red

18 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Good Phight's Ethan Witte joins Paul to look back at the week that was against the Mets and Reds, look ahead to their respective rematches, and wi...

Episode 21: Feeling Our Oats

09 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Paul and Matt, still feeling good for the moment, talk about the "Good Team + Bad Opponents" mix of the recent schedule and how that will change this ...

Episode 20: Tools of the Trade

03 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Paul and Matt recap the Trade Deadline, from Robertson and Syndergaard and Marsh coming in, to Brown and Moniak and O'Hoppe heading out. How good shou...

Episode 19: Bear Market

25 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In their first post-All Star series, the Phillies were swept, at home, by the Cubs; Nick Castellanos was booed, then asked about it in a tense locker ...