6:51 AM EDT, Thu March 28, 2024
18 hours ago
Healthy Disagreements with a Horse

Healthy Disagreements with a Horse

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports Sometimes you want a round two. As the season gets underway, we all have our takes on certain players, good or bad. It’s time we put those to the test with a game I would like to call ‘Healthy Disagreements’. The rules are simple. Smarty and I have to come up with an argument for one Phillies pitcher we like in 2024 and the other has to come up with a counter-argument. It does not matter whether we believe in the argument or not, we just have to offer a counter. At the end, both of us also have to recommend a movie. It can be any...
21 hours ago
2024 season preview: Analysis of offseason moves across the National League East

2024 season preview: Analysis of offseason moves across the National League East

Chris Sale is one of the bigger names to join the East in 2024 | Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports Not a lot of marquee additions to the division this year The Phillies haven’t had the most exciting offseason, mostly concentrating on retaining or extending their own players rather than bringing in new players via free agency or the trade market. If you were frustrated by that lack of action and were concerned that their division rivals have been busy closing the gap between them - or in the case of the Braves, widening the gap (in the regular season, at least) - I have...
23 hours ago
Rise and Phight: 3/27/2024

Rise and Phight: 3/27/2024

Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK Less than 48 hours to go What is the latest forecast for Thursday’s home opener? Right now, it looks like the forecasted rain might bother the shore more than the city, but it’s still up in the air whether or not the team plays it safe and moves the game to Friday. That call will probably be made today, but who knows. On to the links. Phillies news: The time is now. For the 2024 Phillies, they need to win the World Series now because never might not be far behind. The team needs to close the gap between their Damage and...
Mar 26, 2024
Healthy Disagreements with Austin DeCouta

Healthy Disagreements with Austin DeCouta

Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports It’s time to play a little game. As the season gets underway, we all have our takes on certain players, good or bad. It’s time we put those to the test with a game I would like to call ‘Healthy Disagreements’. The rules are simple. Austin and I have to come up with an argument for one Phillies hitter we like in 2024 and the other has to come up with a counter-argument. It does not matter whether we believe in the argument or not, we just have to offer a counter-argument. At the end, both of us also have to recommend a movie. It...
Mar 26, 2024
2024 What’s New at CBP and Dining Guide

2024 What’s New at CBP and Dining Guide

Schwarbombs and Schwarburgers The 2024 Phillies season is upon us and the team has some very exciting things planned for their 20th CBP Anniversary including iconic new concession offerings, theme nights, giveaways and ballpark features. The Phillies never disappoint in these arenas and giving the fans the best experience possible. Fan Experience Enhancements! MLB’s Go-Ahead Entry Lane Expansion Introduced last season, CBP was the first ballpark in the MLB to debut the Go-Ahead Entry system which allowed hands-free entry into the ballpark via facial...
Mar 26, 2024
Rise and Phight: 3/26/2024

Rise and Phight: 3/26/2024

CHRIS LACHALL/USA TODAY NETWORK ATLANTIC GROUP / USA TODAY NETWORK The games are done. Bring on Thursday! We made it. Spring training officially is over as the team is in Philadelphia. What did we learn from the month plus of meaningless baseball? Not much. On to the links. Phillies news: Dave Dombrowski spoke yesterday about the moves made prior to the end of spring training along with the team’s lack of interest in Jordan Montgomery. Citizens Bank Park got some upgrades for the year. Here are some highlights. We’ll have more on that today. The team had a...
Mar 25, 2024
Rise and Phight: 3/25/2024

Rise and Phight: 3/25/2024

Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via It’s Opening Week! Today marks the final game of the Phillies’ spring training. It’s always a long and arduous journey to get here, but they’ve done it. There aren’t any major injuries that have a occurred, a victory in and of itself. There are some bumps and bruises, but that’s to be expected. The team has their roster set and will look to kick off a winning campaign this Thursday. On to the links. Phillies news: Johan Rojas’ first glove that was purchase for him was red and blue. It’s a sign: he’s the...
Mar 24, 2024
The Opening Day roster is now set

The Opening Day roster is now set

Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports All you Rojas and Pache truthers can relax After many weeks of debate, many weeks of figuring out the roster machinations, the Phillies have made some decisions. The first one was made when the team decided to move on from Jake Cave, sending him to Colorado for additional black ink on the ledger. That knocked down the next domino that has been all the rage of late. The Phillies will carry both Johan Rojas and Cristian Pache on the Opening Day roster. Kody Clemens was optioned. More to come on the decisions.— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb)...
Mar 24, 2024
Phillies extend Matt Strahm, trade Jake Cave to Rockies

Phillies extend Matt Strahm, trade Jake Cave to Rockies

Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports Dave Dombrowski has made two moves on the eve of the season. The Phillies have made two roster moves less than a week from Opening Day. First, they extended the contract of Matt Strahm through 2025 with a club/vesting option for 2026. Phillies have agreed to an extension with lefty Matt Strahm through 2025 with an option for 2026. Strahm had been signed through 2024.— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) March 24, 2024 The Phillies have extended the contract of left-handed pitcher Matt Strahm through the 2025 season with a club/vesting...
Mar 24, 2024
Injuries to some players bring the roster into clearer focus

Injuries to some players bring the roster into clearer focus

Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports It’s Spencer Turnbull time With spring training winding down, the roster decisions for the Phillies are starting to need to be made. Usually at this time, they’re looking at the final bullpen spot, maybe a bench spot or two. With some of the injuries that are happening, there are more questions that need to be answered. Taijuan Walker reported shoulder stiffness this morning after playing catch, Rob Thomson said. He was examined by a doctor. This is why Spencer Turnbull started and, most likely, he’ll begin the season in the...
Mar 24, 2024
Rise and Phight: 3/24/2024

Rise and Phight: 3/24/2024

Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports The start of the Turnbull era? Last season, the Phillies had to test their starting pitching depth early due to an injury to Ranger Suárez and ineffectiveness from Bailey Falter. It led to a scramble of bullpen games, Matt Strahm going into the rotation, and a revolving door of fifth starters. Now once again, the Phillies depth will be tested early, as Taijuan Walker is headed for an MRI on his shoulder and looks unlikely to be ready by Opening Day. Spencer Turnbull looks poised to start the season in the rotation after an impressive...
Mar 23, 2024
Rise and Phight: 3/23/2024

Rise and Phight: 3/23/2024

Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports What a Friday evening news dump. You would be correct in saying that the Phillies have had a rather boring camp. There’s really not a whole lot of news other than Bryce Harper’s back stiffness. Desiring a little more spice is only natural. Luckily, the Dodgers are providing all the intrigue anyone could ask for. On to the links Phillies news: Bryce Harper is expected to return to the lineup today after taking some swings on the backfield yesterday. Matt Strahm was an underrated part of the Phillies success last season, and he thanks...
Mar 22, 2024
2024 Season Preview: Bullpen Predictions

2024 Season Preview: Bullpen Predictions

Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports 100% success rate. Bullpens are volatile by nature and the Phillies are no exception. They carry some of the nastiest stuff in all of baseball but also some command questions. We see what the successes look like with their high upside swings. José Alvarado is the best left-handed reliever in the National League. Jeff Hoffman finished in the top 15 in fWAR by a reliever. We also know what it looks like for someone who doesn’t work out. How many horrible memories of James Norwood, Sam Coonrod, or McKinley Moore do you have? Dave...
Mar 22, 2024
Rise and Phight: 3/22/2024

Rise and Phight: 3/22/2024

Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via This Ohtani thing is getting weird It’s not the Phillies, but this Shohei Ohtani story is just getting stranger and stranger. I am by no means a legal expert, so commenting on it without all of the facts is pointless since speculation leads to nothing, but it just seems....odd...that Ohtani knew nothing of all of this. On to the links. Phillies news: While the Johan Rojas decision looms, Whit Merrifield is ready to go. Wherever that may be on the field. The team is getting ready to join Comcast to re-develop the area around...
Mar 21, 2024
Rise and Phight: 3/21/2024

Rise and Phight: 3/21/2024

Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports End the games! It’s almost time for the season to begin. The team is relatively healthy, so my suggestion is to simply end games now and head north. They should be listening to me. On to the links. Phillies news: Ranger Suarez has looked great this spring. It should help him secure a lucrative amount of money. Taijuan Walker, though, has looked rough this spring. It’s going to be an interesting season for the pitcher. The swing of Johan Rojas is the biggest roster decision the team has. Where do they stand with it? MLB...