The Phillies, fortunate to escape last weekend's series with a split against the Marlins, now set their sights toward a far tougher stretch. Are these really "must-win" games against the Cubs, Braves, and Dodgers? How much comfort does the current division lead really afford the team? And how much clearer are the roster "problems" to be addressed t…

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 they took 4 of 6 from NL West opponents — including a NLCS "rematch" with Arizona — and now swing out to Detroit before a weekend date with the Marlins. Paul and Matt review Cristopher Sanchez's new cont…

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 wear. Plus, the cavalry is coming in the form of Brandon Marsh (already returned) and Trea Turner (to be activated Monday). With a hot homestand on deck, the Phillies will look to right the ship and …

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 an American League road test against the Red Sox and Orioles. Paul and Matt look back on London — from David Dahl to Gregory Soto — and look ahead to the Injured List cavalry of Trea Turner and Brand…

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 weekend's London Series, with a warm welcome expected for (at least) one of those guys. Paul and Matt recap the injury situation, lament Whit Merrifield a little, and look ahead to the Phils and Mets unleas…

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 Phillies finish navigating their stretch out in The Forbidden Lands having finally lost a series and consecutive games. Now, with Ronald Acuña Jr.'s season ending prematurely, the onus is squarely on…

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 before Memorial Day. Paul and Matt go over how the schedule has helped (but not caused) the hot start, the useful Kody Clemens, and a growing fascination with Cristopher Sánchez.…

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 East rivals in what should be a slightly tougher test than the one the Marlins provided. Paul and Matt talk about roster fits and flexibility, the reemergence of Bryson Stott, and how to strategize f…

Phillies Pitching Coach Caleb Cotham (@ceetwo35) joins Paul and Matt as his (practically) league-leading staff has helped carry the Phils to their best start in years. He shares his thoughts on preparation and injury avoidance, game planning and altering repertoires. Plus, Paul and Matt on the Trea Turner injury and what lies ahead for the middle o…

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, reals and not-reals of the season's first nearly-complete calendar month.By Paul Boye and Matt Gelb

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 swing across the country from Ohio to California. Paul and Matt review the team's readiness for keeping the division close, the coming rotation shuffle with Taijuan Walker's return, and take a moment…

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 more down-and-out teams coming to Philly this week, now would be the time to bust out the big bats.By Paul Boye and Matt Gelb

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 concerns, but with strong pitching carrying most of the load, there are encouraging signs (even for those who have struggled) to be found as the team wraps its first roadtrip.…

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 thoughts on stated intentions (generally speaking) and how it'll be "still early" for the likes of Johan Rojas and Brandon Marsh for a little while yet.By Paul Boye and Matt Gelb

Roster reviews! Positional breakdowns! Over/unders and props! A little bit too much laughing about Edmundo Sosa's aggressive approach! It must be time for the 2024 Phillies season preview. Join us on the journey and get ready for the opening series against the Braves.By Paul Boye and Matt Gelb

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 to play 1B impact the bench spot battle, and how long will Orion Kerkering need to ramp up? Plus, Ranger's early availability and the impacts the Giants' Blake Snell move could have on the Wild Card …

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 through it." Paul and Matt dig into what that means for Johan Rojas's slow start and the positional dominoes around him, as well as the Spring Breakout coming up this weekend.…

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 somewhat unique deal for a somewhat unique pitcher stacks up to others across the league.By Paul Boye and Matt Gelb

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, Cris Sánchez's reinvention, and a lack of apprehension around Bryce Harper's (entirely too early) Gold Glove case.By Paul Boye and Matt Gelb

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 Bohm, and the drive to resemble Chase Utley from the scalp up.By Paul Boye and Matt Gelb

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, Corey Knebel, Mario Hollands, and more! Zack Wheeler's gonna get paid!By Paul Boye and Matt Gelb

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 the team immediately decided to sign Kolby Allard, and we watched Rhys Hoskins officially leave and land in Milwaukee. So Paul and Matt had a few things to talk about after all: Who's left to add? What…

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 what that extension could possibly look like), where Rhys Hoskins might end up, Joc Pederson's strange Instagramming, and narrowing the gap between the Phillies and Braves. Thanks for listening everyo…

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 offseason look like now? Are the splashes done? What about Yamamoto, Montgomery, Imanaga and co.? Dive in.By Paul Boye and Matt Gelb

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 sneaky subplots) to watch for as the offseason goes into full swing for everyone in November. A big thank you to those whose questions and thoughts on Twitter helped guide our chat. In no particular order:…

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 Series. How they got here no longer matters; it's all about who's ready to step up and turn themselves into a legend. Who makes themself immortal tonight?…

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 the chance to repeat as National League champs. Paul and Matt extol the play of the "machine" and look ahead to the next two games, where the Phillies again hold the paper advantage.…

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 stop that visage as their pennant defense continues. The National League Championship Series kicks off tonight; Paul and Matt walk through the names and all the looming matchups.…

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 huge hits, huge pitching performances, and huge drama. Yooge.By Paul Boye and Matt Gelb

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 to check in and (only briefly) look back at Games 1 and 2 while considering whether the Phils hold the advantage in 2 of the possible 3 games remaining.…

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 Phils took care of business against Miami, and what they need to do to topple the Braves again.By Paul Boye and Matt Gelb

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 Marlins would need to do to pull off the upset, and the impacts of the Phillies playing at home.By Paul Boye and Matt Gelb

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 their fellow contenders' pitching, Orion Kerkering, the mercifully easy travel schedule ahead, and wonder a bit more about how Cris Sánchez fits into all this.…

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 in the Wild Card round. Plus a look at how (and with who) the playoff rotation might shake out behind Zack Wheeler. Is Nola still #2? Does Taijuan Walker make a start before Cris Sánchez?…

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 turf this week. Paul and Matt survey the pitching situation, the full-unit offensive turnaround since The Ovations, and think about the best outfield combinations as the playoffs creep closer.…

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 recent struggles shouldn't conjure too many memories of last September, and a couple Old School vs. New School debates that are sure to go over well.By Paul Boye and Matt Gelb

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 town, pitting two franchises who could not be on more different paths against one another. Paul and Matt regroup to extol the virtues of multi-run homers, Bryson Stott possibly turning into an s-word…

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 out near Williamsport, and the guys take stock of the team and Wild Card scenarios as they head into the end stages of August.By Paul Boye and Matt Gelb

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 has helped push them to the top Wild Card seed, with a couple games' cushion to boot. Paul and Matt test the waters of confidence and extol the team's play, while thinking ahead to some upcoming rota…

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 Trea Turner, the remarkable production of the young bats, the upcoming week-plus of a Frankenstein('s monster) in left field, and local vs. national expectations four months in.…

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? Will the choice not to add a righty corner bat come back to bite them? Did the rest of the National League Wild Card contenders do enough to make the Phils sweat? Paul and Matt dive in.…

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 a new pickup as important as getting the guys already in-house to play better? Paul and Matt check in on the even of Tuesday's trade deadline after an uninspiring weekend against the Pirates.…

After a disappointing two-series-loss week, Paul and Matt regroup to talk surgery impacts for Andrew Painter, Bryce Harper's immediate doubt allaying, the side effects of rostering Noah Song, and a Hall of Fame diversion.By Paul Boye and Matt Gelb

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 in Immaculate Grid (spoilers 36:19-42:00). Editor's note: If the Phillies picked up the #4 seed, they'd likely be in line to face Atlanta if they advanced, despite what we say in the episode. The new f…

Paul and Matt hit the All-Star break to talk first-half MVPs, set the stage for the July trade market, and more.By Paul Boye and Matt Gelb

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 Paul and Matt scratching their heads a bit despite the team's recent 15-5 stretch. Also, what does Alec Bohm's future hold? Plus, with the landscape of buyers and sellers still in flux, a broad look …

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 news and notes, including a note on a Braves player that shook Paul to his core.By Paul Boye and Matt Gelb

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, the Phils head back west for a swing with the first-place Diamondbacks and last-place (though buoyed!) Athletics. Travel grievances, a revisitation of 2016, and bullpen configurations within.…

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 some aired grievances and worries, the water's (definitely not) fine!By Paul Boye and Matt Gelb

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 woeful top of the lineup, and rocket metaphors.By Paul Boye and Matt Gelb