Advertise on podcast: Catchin' Phils: A Phillies Podcast

On the latest edition of Catchin’ Phils, Josh Liddick and Austin Myers break down Dave Dombrowski's long-awaited press conference and what it says about the Phillies' offseason. They also explain why the two-week wait may have been more about timing than anything else. Don Mattingly is officially the manager through 2028, and he's already left his mark. Hitting coach Kevin Long and infield coach Bobby Dickerson are out, Carlos Mendoza is in as infield and third base coach, and the hitting coach job is still open, with the guys weighing whether the Phillies hire internally or bring in a more traditional voice. Trea Turner was clearly the headline of the presser. Dombrowski was blunt that Turner has to be better at shortstop, and the guys debate whether Aidan Miller or Bryson Stott is the real backup plan. They also cover the Phillies’ aging core: Harper at first, Schwarber's role, Realmuto's workload, along with a bullpen that needs fixing. Dombrowski also made clear he won't trade from the starting pitching depth to fix the offense. Around the majors, the Brewers swept the Dodgers and are headed to their first World Series since 1982, while the Rays are one win from a pennant. Josh and Austin also look ahead to LeBron James and Jaylen Brown's Sixers debut in New York on Tuesday night, the latest on Jalen Hurts, and a quick shoutout to the Union's unbeaten run. Follow and leave a five-star review for Catchin’ Phils: A Phillies Podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeartRadio⁠⁠⁠⁠, and subscribe to Josh Liddick (⁠⁠⁠⁠Red Pinstripe Press⁠⁠⁠⁠) and Austin Myers (⁠⁠⁠⁠Phillies Perspective⁠⁠⁠⁠) on Substack to get their latest work straight to your inbox. The podcast is also streaming weekly on the Catchin' Phils ⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠. Follow Catchin’ Phils on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter/X for more content. Episode timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome back & the Brewers heading to the World Series 01:27 – LeBron mania & the Sixers jersey 03:13 – First impressions of Dombrowski's press conference 06:33 – Why the press conference took two weeks 07:34 – How the Mattingly hire played out 09:22 – The formal search & other managerial candidates 10:40 – Kevin Long and Bobby Dickerson out, Carlos Mendoza in 12:52 – How much Mattingly shaped the coaching changes 14:46 – Who replaces Kevin Long as hitting coach? 16:35 – Data analytics & the Phillies' offensive approach 17:58 – Dream hitting coach picks from Mattingly's playing days 20:48 – Trea Turner on notice at shortstop 25:13 – Aidan Miller, Bryan Rincon & the shortstop pipeline 28:08 – Bryson Stott & the infield search 29:53 – Corner outfield and free agent targets 32:05 – Harper, Schwarber & Realmuto's changing roles 35:56 – The need for a backup catcher 39:23 – Harper's defense at first base 42:43 – The bullpen: injuries, Tim Mayza & Gage Wood 45:49 – Andrew Painter's progress & the prospects Dombrowski mentioned 47:10 – No trading from starting pitching strength 49:10 – Why the Phillies can't keep giving games away 49:47 – Dodgers swept by the Brewers 52:15 – World Series preview: Brewers, Rays & Guardians 54:41 – Jalen Hurts & the Eagles' tough stretch 58:44 – Sixers season opener: LeBron James & Jaylen Brown debut 1:01:27 – The LeBron mural in Fishtown 1:03:39 – Flyers finally win & another Union shout-out 1:04:33 – Closing thoughts

Recorded live on YouTube right after the news broke, Josh Liddick and Austin Myers react to the Phillies signing Don Mattingly to a two-year extension as full-time manager. After Alex Cora turned the Phillies down twice, the team went with stability. Josh and Austin agree it's the right move, even if it isn't the splashy hire fans wanted. Mattingly took over a 9-19 team in the spring and got them back to the postseason, despite an early exit. The guys also run through the other candidates and why none of them clearly beat the guy already in the building. With Mattingly now the long-term manager, a coaching staff shake-up could be next. Josh and Austin debate who should stay, who should go, and whether a new hitting coach makes sense after a quiet offense late in the year. They also take on the elephant in the room: Dave Dombrowski's future. Between the Phillies' farm system, some big hits and misses, and Sam Fuld turning down the Athletics' GM job, the guys wonder what the front office looks like down the road. A press conference with Dombrowski and Mattingly is set for Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Is this the right hire to get the Phillies back on top of the NL East, or is a roster built around the same core still the bigger problem? Follow and leave a five-star review for Catchin’ Phils: A Phillies Podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeartRadio⁠⁠⁠⁠, and subscribe to Josh Liddick (⁠⁠⁠⁠Red Pinstripe Press⁠⁠⁠⁠) and Austin Myers (⁠⁠⁠⁠Phillies Perspective⁠⁠⁠⁠) on Substack to get their latest work straight to your inbox. The podcast is also streaming weekly on the Catchin' Phils ⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠. Follow Catchin’ Phils on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter/X for more content. Episode timestamps: 00:00 – Phillies make Don Mattingly the permanent manager 00:32 – Relief that the Phillies didn't drag it out 01:31 – Running it back vs. going with the most experienced option 03:52 – Why the extra year through 2028 shows trust 04:32 – Why the right hire isn't the splashy one 06:00 – The case for a manager not on an expiring contract 08:11 – Other candidates: Ross, Martinez, Espada, and more 10:32 – Will Mattingly bring in his own coaching staff? 11:34 – Keeping Caleb Cotham and rethinking the hitting coach 12:15 – Mattingly's impact on Bohm and Stott 15:06 – A final stop and a chase for a first World Series 15:48 – Dave Dombrowski's future as the elephant in the room 17:48 – Thursday's press conference and the tough questions 18:22 – Dombrowski's hits, misses, and the farm system 20:20 – Why Sam Fuld turned down the Athletics' GM job 21:41 – Maybe stability in the front office is a good thing 24:09 – Closing thoughts: the first domino has fallen

The final four are set, the lockout clock is ticking, and the Phillies' offseason is already taking shape. Josh Liddick and Austin Myers break it all down on Catchin’ Phils.  The Brewers opened the NLCS with a 2-1 victory over the Dodgers in a pitcher’s duel, and the Guardians and Rays are set for the ALCS. Three of the four remaining teams are small or mid-market clubs, with the CBA expiring December 1. So what does that mean for the salary cap fight? Josh and Austin dig into it, and into what the Phillies can learn from teams that built through player development. Then it's on to the Phillies' offseason. Austin makes the case for locking up Don Mattingly. Josh makes the case for Aidan Miller, who is tearing up the Arizona Fall League, as the third baseman in 2027. They also get into the Japanese posting window, which opens November 1, and why Teruaki Sato, the Hanshin Tigers' Triple Crown winner, could be a fit. Plus, a rough stretch for Philly sports. The Eagles' last-second loss in London puts Nick Sirianni's game management under the microscope, the Flyers are still searching for their first win, and the Sixers tip off with LeBron on October 20. The guys also shout out the Union, who might be the most fun team in the city right now. Is this the year small-market baseball finally takes down the Dodgers? Follow and leave a five-star review for Catchin’ Phils: A Phillies Podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeartRadio⁠⁠⁠⁠, and subscribe to Josh Liddick (⁠⁠⁠⁠Red Pinstripe Press⁠⁠⁠⁠) and Austin Myers (⁠⁠⁠⁠Phillies Perspective⁠⁠⁠⁠) on Substack to get their latest work straight to your inbox. The podcast is also streaming weekly on the Catchin' Phils ⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠. Follow Catchin’ Phils on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter/X for more content. Episode timestamps: 00:00 — Intro and episode preview 00:26 — LCS kickoff: Brewers edge Dodgers in NLCS Game 1 02:11 — Small markets take over October 09:09 — Could the Phillies have hung with the final four? 14:20 — Picking our dream World Series 17:40 — CBA looming: Salary cap, parity and the Dodgers 26:18 — Buying talent vs. player development: The Phillies problem 28:38 — Phillies offseason priorities: The manager question 38:33 — Aidan Miller and the third base plan 42:48 — Teruaki Sato and the Japanese posting window 48:26 — Eagles heartbreak in London: Is Sirianni on the hot seat? 56:36 — Flyers winless start 1:00:24 — Sixers opening night and LeBron 1:04:02 — Shoutout to the Union 1:07:40 — Wrap-up

Nearly a week removed from the Phillies’ early playoff defeat, it’s time to take a step back and evaluate where the team stands heading into a pivotal offseason. In this episode, Josh Liddick and Austin Myers hand out end-of-season grades for the Phillies’ offense, defense, bench, starting rotation, bullpen, and coaching staff. They also revisit some of their preseason and midseason projections to see what they got right — and what they got very wrong. Then, the conversation turns toward the offseason ahead. With the MLB CBA set to expire in December, what should be at the top of the Phillies’ priority list? Could the team move on from Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott, or Brandon Marsh? How important is adding an infielder or multiple outfielders? And what should the Phillies do at manager? With Alex Cora no longer expected to manage in 2027 and reports from Matt Gelb and Jayson Stark that the Phillies are considering retaining Don Mattingly, the guys discuss whether Mattingly has done enough to earn another season — or whether it’s time for a new voice. Finally, Josh and Austin look around the MLB postseason, breaking down the NLDS and ALDS matchups and discussing which teams have stood out as the LCS picture begins to take shape. Follow and leave a five-star review for Catchin’ Phils: A Phillies Podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeartRadio⁠⁠⁠⁠, and subscribe to Josh Liddick (⁠⁠⁠⁠Red Pinstripe Press⁠⁠⁠⁠) and Austin Myers (⁠⁠⁠⁠Phillies Perspective⁠⁠⁠⁠) on Substack to get their latest work straight to your inbox. The podcast is also streaming weekly on the Catchin' Phils ⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠. Follow Catchin’ Phils on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter/X for more content. Episode timestamps: 00:20 Offseason Reflections on the Phillies 13:14 Analyzing the Phillies' Performance 24:15 Future Prospects and Team Development 30:58 Evaluating Player Performance: Strengths and Weaknesses 33:40 Defensive Versatility and Adaptability 36:06 Bench Improvement: A Closer Look 40:06 Rotation Strength: Key Pitchers and Their Impact 49:13 Bullpen Struggles: Analyzing the Weak Links 54:37 Managing Changes: Don Mattingly's Impact and Future

Recorded live on YouTube immediately after the final out, Josh Liddick and Austin Myers react to a 6-2 loss in Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series that ends the Phillies' 2026 season in Atlanta and sends them on a flight back to Philly. It was quiet from the very start. Braves lefty Ray Kerr shut down the Phillies offense, Atlanta scored three in the first off Aaron Nola, and the Phillies never found an answer. The guys debate whether Zack Wheeler should have started Game 3 instead, though they agree the offense—not the rotation—was the real problem. The guys pay respects to Alec Bohm's likely final game in a Phillies uniform, get into the bigger picture: baserunning mistakes, inconsistent leadership, and a core that's now taken a step back in each of the last several postseasons, and revel in likely Don Mattingly's final managerial decision: inserting Otto Kemp as a pinch hitter. Looking ahead, it's a pivotal offseason for John Middleton, Dave Dombrowski, and the front office, with money coming off the books and real questions about how this roster needs to change. Josh and Austin close out their first season of the podcast with thanks to listeners and a preview of what's coming during the offseason. Is this core still good enough to get over the hump, and where does this organization go from here? Follow and leave a five-star review for Catchin’ Phils: A Phillies Podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeartRadio⁠⁠⁠⁠, and subscribe to Josh Liddick (⁠⁠⁠⁠Red Pinstripe Press⁠⁠⁠⁠) and Austin Myers (⁠⁠⁠⁠Phillies Perspective⁠⁠⁠⁠) on Substack to get their latest work straight to your inbox. The podcast is also streaming weekly on the Catchin' Phils ⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠. Follow Catchin’ Phils on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter/X for more content. Episode timestamps: 00:00 – Phillies season ends, falling 6-2 in game three01:12 – A low-event dud with no momentum from yesterday's win02:32 – Crediting the Braves and Walt Weiss's managing04:48 – Ray Kerr's dominant start silences the offense05:55 – Harper, Schwarber, and Turner lead into the next era06:41 – Zack Wheeler's future and a shortened 2027 season09:10 – Learning from the lost 2020 season11:34 – The five-year window and the fear of stepping back again13:26 – Otto Kemp's rough final at-bat14:41 – Second-guessing the decision to start Nola over Wheeler16:37 – Flexibility this offseason and what has to change21:24 – Braves ticket prices and a flat atmosphere in Atlanta21:51 – A season that could never fully right itself after a slow start23:39 – Base-running mistakes and accountability among leaders25:56 – Comparing this ending to last year's collapse27:08 – A slow death versus last year's sudden one28:07 – Grateful for a first season of postseason podcasts28:44 – Closing thoughts, thank-yous, and what's next for the show

Recorded live on YouTube moments after the final out, Josh Liddick and Austin Myers break down a heroic Phillies’ 4-3 Game 2 victory over the Braves.  Philadelphia rallied from a 3-1 deficit to stun the Braves in 10 innings and force a decisive Game 3 in the NL Wild Card Series. Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper went back-to-back in the eighth to tie the game before Alec Bohm delivered the game-winning solo homer in the 10th. Andrew Painter was huge out of the bullpen, throwing three scoreless innings to close out the victory, while Cristopher Sánchez battled through 6⅔ innings. Now, it all comes down to one game. The guys break down the wild comeback, the biggest moments, and what the Phillies need to do to win the next one.  Can the Phillies advance to the NLDS? Catchin’ Phils will be live on YouTube following Game 3 to debrief. Follow and leave a five-star review for Catchin’ Phils: A Phillies Podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeartRadio⁠⁠⁠⁠, and subscribe to Josh Liddick (⁠⁠⁠⁠Red Pinstripe Press⁠⁠⁠⁠) and Austin Myers (⁠⁠⁠⁠Phillies Perspective⁠⁠⁠⁠) on Substack to get their latest work straight to your inbox. The podcast is also streaming weekly on the Catchin' Phils ⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠. Follow Catchin’ Phils on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter/X for more content. Episode timestamps: 00:20 Phillies' Dramatic Game Two Victory 03:26 Alec Bohm's Heroics and Future Prospects 06:24 Pitching Performances and Team Resilience 09:21 The Importance of Mental Toughness 12:17 Looking Ahead: Game Three and Beyond 24:34 The Value of Catching in Playoff Baseball 27:57 Do or Die: The Importance of Game Three 31:01 Pitching Strategies: Wheeler vs. Nola 36:44 Trusting the Bullpen: Nola's Role 39:44 All Hands on Deck: The Pitching Staff's Commitment 43:27 Looking Ahead: Game Three Preview and Stats

Recorded live on YouTube moments after the final out, Josh Liddick and Austin Myers break down a 5-3 Game 1 loss to the Braves that puts the Phillies on the brink of elimination. Jesús Luzardo was the story early, working as the opener and pitching five brilliant innings just weeks removed from a shoulder injury. Alec Bohm's RBI double got the Phillies on the board early, and after the Braves took the lead off Alex McFarlane, J.T. Realmuto's two-RBI triple gave the Phillies a 3-2 lead in the seventh. That’s when the bullpen unraveled. Jhoan Duran came into the game in the seventh, getting within one out of handing off a clean ninth, but instead gave up a three-run homer to Austin Riley that proved to be the dagger. Looking ahead, the Phillies face elimination Wednesday with Cristopher Sánchez on the mound against Tyler Mahle and the Braves. The guys dig into who's actually available out of the bullpen, the lineup questions with Edmundo Sosa presumably banged up, and a grim historical stat to close it out: the Phillies have never won a postseason series after losing Game 1. Can the Phillies avoid a repeat of their recent Game 1-lead-blowing history, or is this season over on Wednesday? Follow and leave a five-star review for Catchin’ Phils: A Phillies Podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeartRadio⁠⁠⁠⁠, and subscribe to Josh Liddick (⁠⁠⁠⁠Red Pinstripe Press⁠⁠⁠⁠) and Austin Myers (⁠⁠⁠⁠Phillies Perspective⁠⁠⁠⁠) on Substack to get their latest work straight to your inbox. The podcast is also streaming weekly on the Catchin' Phils ⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠. Follow Catchin’ Phils on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter/X for more content. Episode timestamps: 00:00 – Phillies fall in game one, on the brink of elimination 01:45 – Bullpen, not the matchup, is what lost this game 04:02 – Duran's line and the broadcast confusion over who's next 06:19 – Jesús Luzardo's brilliant start as the opener 08:32 – Why the extension made this start possible 10:13 – Taking Luzardo out early and saving him for game three 14:47 – Alec Bohm's RBI double gets the Phillies on the board 16:15 – Alex McFarlane's high-leverage sixth inning 18:23 – Second-guessing the bullpen decisions 21:32 – Could Duran have been saved for a two-inning save? 25:25 – Broadcast gripes and missing the local call 26:38 – The plan behind bringing Duran in for the seventh 28:12 – Austin Riley's history of torching the Phillies 29:38 – How close Duran came to pulling it off 31:35 – J.T. Realmuto's clutch triple in the seventh 34:46 – Breaking down the lineup construction 36:20 – Setting up game two: Sánchez vs. Mahle 38:29 – Who's actually available out of the bullpen on Wednesday 40:34 – Tipping the hand for a game three starter 43:09 – Closing thought: the Phillies have never won a series after losing game one

The Phillies are headed to Atlanta for a third postseason matchup with the Braves in five seasons — and there are plenty of questions heading into Game 1. Jesús Luzardo gets the ball Tuesday, but how long will he actually pitch? Andrew Painter is expected to be available out of the bullpen, while Cristopher Sánchez is lined up for Game 2 and Aaron Nola could get the start in a potential Game 3. And where does Zack Wheeler fit into the equation? Josh Liddick and Austin Myers break down the Phillies’ Wild Card roster, including Luis Arraez being left off with an ankle sprain and Otto Kemp taking his place. They also discuss the decision to carry three catchers, the remaining bullpen questions and what the Phillies’ lineup has historically done against Atlanta. Plus, the guys revisit the Phillies-Braves postseason history from 2022 and 2023, examine the key head-to-head numbers for Philadelphia’s hitters and pitchers, and make their predictions for the entire National League Wild Card Series slate. Can the Phillies take care of business in Atlanta and advance to the NLDS? Follow and leave a five-star review for Catchin’ Phils: A Phillies Podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeartRadio⁠⁠⁠⁠, and subscribe to Josh Liddick (⁠⁠⁠⁠Red Pinstripe Press⁠⁠⁠⁠) and Austin Myers (⁠⁠⁠⁠Phillies Perspective⁠⁠⁠⁠) on Substack to get their latest work straight to your inbox. The podcast is also streaming weekly on the Catchin' Phils ⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠. Follow Catchin’ Phils on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter/X for more content. Episode timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to the Playoff Series 02:57 Phillies vs. Braves: A Rivalry Renewed 05:56 Pitching Concerns and Strategies 09:01 Game One Preview: Lazardo's Role 12:06 Game Two and Three Predictions 14:48 Roster Changes and Player Availability 17:46 Final Thoughts and Expectations 32:15 Postseason Roster Decisions and Managerial Strategies 34:43 Rivalry Dynamics: Phillies vs. Braves 37:59 Playoff Atmosphere and Fan Engagement 39:06 Pitching Matchups and Their Impact 41:02 Key Player Performances and Historical Context 45:24 Exploiting Weaknesses: Phillies vs. Braves 48:32 Home Field Advantage: Myth or Reality? 50:01 Predictions and Expectations for the Series

Recorded live on YouTube moments after the final out, Josh Liddick and Austin Myers provide their instant reactions to a Game 162 win that sent the Phillies back to the postseason for the fifth consecutive year. It took a week from hell against the Brewers and Rays, but the Phillies came through when it mattered most. Zack Wheeler closed the door on the final day, going six strong innings before Alex McFarlane, Jesús Luzardo, and Jhoan Duran finished the job out of the bullpen. The win avoided what would have been the franchise's worst collapse since 1964. The offense showed up, too. J.T. Realmuto snapped an 0-for-34 skid with a big double, Bryson Stott went 3-for-3 out of the cleanup spot, and Bryce Harper and Edmundo Sosa each went deep. Josh and Austin also break down the lineup changes that worked and the case for keeping Trea Turner at leadoff. Then it's on to Atlanta for the NL Wild Card Series. With Luis Arráez on the mend from his ankle sprain and the roster shrinking down to 26 men, the guys break down the rotation puzzle for Game 1, who makes the cut, and what the rest of the Wild Card slate looks like. Game 1 is Tuesday at 2 p.m. on NBC. Can the momentum from a celebration on Sunday translate into October success, or did the Phillies spend all their magic just getting in? Follow and leave a five-star review for Catchin’ Phils: A Phillies Podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeartRadio⁠⁠⁠⁠, and subscribe to Josh Liddick (⁠⁠⁠⁠Red Pinstripe Press⁠⁠⁠⁠) and Austin Myers (⁠⁠⁠⁠Phillies Perspective⁠⁠⁠⁠) on Substack to get their latest work straight to your inbox. The podcast is also streaming weekly on the Catchin' Phils ⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠. Follow Catchin’ Phils on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter/X for more content. Episode timestamps:  00:00 – Phillies clinch: surviving a weekend from hell 01:30 – Five straight playoff appearances and what it means 03:14 – One of the best runs in franchise history (and a near collapse) 05:37 – Momentum, champagne (ugh), and the mood heading to Atlanta 09:16 – Looking ahead: Braves, Dodgers, and how to get back to CBP 13:36 – Recapping the clinching game and a shoutout to the D-Backs 16:47 – Wheeler as the closer and Turner back at leadoff 20:38 – Austin's bold preseason prediction and Luzardo's return 21:52 – Stott and the doubles that powered the offense(s) 28:28 – Game 1 lineup: Sosa, Harper, and Bohm 32:51 – Cutting down to the 26-man roster 39:43 – Arráez's ankle injury and what it means 41:44 – The rotation puzzle for the Wild Card Series 48:25 – Wild Card schedule and matchups around the league 51:56 – Closing thoughts

The magic number to clinch a playoff spot is three—but with the Brewers and Rays coming to Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies have to prove they're actually ready for October. Josh Liddick and Austin Myers are back together after a couple weeks of solo shows, and there's a lot to unpack. The Phillies are clinging to the final NL Wild Card spot, a game back of the Cubs and Padres, with a four-game cushion over the D-Backs. But the vibes are shaky—after a scorching August, the offense has gone cold in September, and the Braves already wrapped up the division without much resistance. The guys dig into what a Wild Card matchup in Atlanta would actually look like, and why Austin isn't as scared of the Braves' pitching as you'd expect given the season series. They also break down the scramble atop the Wild Card race, with the red-hot Padres (winners of nine of their last 10) looking like the team nobody wants to face. On the pitching side, Aaron Nola's second-half turnaround takes center stage—a 2.92 ERA since July 5th that's quietly made him the Phillies' most reliable arm not named Wheeler or Sánchez, even as questions swirl about Jesús Luzardo's health and return timeline. The bullpen conversation isn't as rosy: Orion Kerkering's late-season collapse has him optioned to Triple-A, leaving Andrew Painter, Alex McFarlane, and a resurgent Jose Alvarado to fill the gaps behind Jhoan Duran. Offensively, Josh and Austin give credit where it's due—Alec Bohm, Justin Crawford, and Luis Arráez have carried the lineup lately—but the message is clear: Schwarber, Turner, and Harper need to wake up if this team wants to make noise in October. Looking ahead, the Phillies open a three-game set with the Brewers on Tuesday before setting up a pivotal final weekend against the AL's top-seeded Rays. Can the Phillies find their swing before the games start counting for real? Follow and leave a five-star review for Catchin’ Phils: A Phillies Podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeartRadio⁠⁠⁠⁠, and subscribe to Josh Liddick (⁠⁠⁠⁠Red Pinstripe Press⁠⁠⁠⁠) and Austin Myers (⁠⁠⁠⁠Phillies Perspective⁠⁠⁠⁠) on Substack to get their latest work straight to your inbox. The podcast is also streaming weekly on the Catchin' Phils ⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠. Follow Catchin’ Phils on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter/X for more content. Episode timestamps:  00:00 – Welcome back & setting the stage for the final week 05:19 – Breaking down the NL wild card race 09:25 – The red-hot Padres and trade deadline what-ifs 13:47 – Aaron Nola's remarkable turnaround 24:59 – Bullpen crisis: Kerkering demoted, who steps up? 33:11 – Alvarado's redemption and the Painter/Urquidy bullpen question 42:52 – The offense needs to wake up 44:58 – Bohm, Crawford, and Arráez carrying the lineup 50:21 – Previewing the Brewers and Rays series 52:23 – Chasing 90 wins and closing thoughts

The Phillies are entering the final stretch of the regular season, and suddenly, the margin for error is getting very thin. Austin Myers breaks down a pivotal stretch for Philadelphia, beginning with the news that Jesús Luzardo has been placed on the 15-day injured list with left shoulder inflammation. Luzardo has been one of the best pitchers in baseball since June, making his absence potentially massive as the Phillies prepare for October. Austin discusses how Philadelphia can navigate the final two weeks without Luzardo, what his injury means for the rotation, and whether Aaron Nola and Andrew Painter could take on expanded roles heading into the postseason. With a four-game series against the Mets looming and the Brewers and Rays waiting at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies' path to October is becoming increasingly important. Are the Phillies still chasing the NL East, or should their primary focus be protecting their Wild Card position? And how will the loss of Luzardo impact their postseason plans? Follow and leave a five-star review for Catchin’ Phils: A Phillies Podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeartRadio⁠⁠⁠⁠, and subscribe to Josh Liddick (⁠⁠⁠⁠Red Pinstripe Press⁠⁠⁠⁠) and Austin Myers (⁠⁠⁠⁠Phillies Perspective⁠⁠⁠⁠) on Substack to get their latest work straight to your inbox. The podcast is also streaming weekly on the Catchin' Phils ⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠. Follow Catchin’ Phils on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter/X for more content. Episode timestamps:  00:20 Introduction and Current State of the Phillies 04:11 Injury Concerns: Jesus Luzardo's Impact 12:22 Phillies' Performance Against the Braves and Playoff Prospects 20:10 Offensive Struggles and Key Player Performances 24:26 Looking Ahead: Final Games and Playoff Strategy

The Phillies stumbled through a mediocre homestand, and now their margin for error in the NL East is getting dangerously thin. Josh Liddick breaks down the Phillies' 3-4 homestand, including a frustrating series loss to the Astros and the continued problems with baserunning that have cost the team opportunities — and potentially games. Josh digs into the mistakes from Brandon Marsh, Alec Bohm and Edmundo Sosa and why the Phillies have to clean things up before October. He also covers the team's remarkable comeback mentality, highlighted by an 11-7 win over Houston that saw the Phillies overcome multiple deficits and Kyle Schwarber's grand slam. Josh discusses Schwarber's emergence as the Phillies' biggest clutch threat, his MLB-leading 44 home runs and whether he has a legitimate case to finish as an NL MVP finalist. Plus, a look at Trea Turner's recent offensive resurgence after a brutal August, including his six-game hitting streak and two home runs against Houston, before Josh previews a massive three-game series against the Braves in Atlanta. Aaron Nola takes on Chris Sale on Friday, Jesús Luzardo gets the ball Saturday after his dominant complete-game shutout last week against the Braves, and Andrew Painter looks to bounce back Sunday. With the Braves four games ahead in the division and the Phillies running out of time, can they make a statement in Atlanta — or is the NL East race essentially over? Follow and leave a five-star review for Catchin’ Phils: A Phillies Podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeartRadio⁠⁠⁠⁠, and subscribe to Josh Liddick (⁠⁠⁠⁠Red Pinstripe Press⁠⁠⁠⁠) and Austin Myers (⁠⁠⁠⁠Phillies Perspective⁠⁠⁠⁠) on Substack to get their latest work straight to your inbox. The podcast is also streaming weekly on the Catchin' Phils ⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠. Follow Catchin’ Phils on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter/X for more content. Episode timestamps: 00:00 — Intro & remembering 9/11 04:00 — Phillies end disappointing homestand with series loss to Astros 06:00 — Four Bagger: Baserunning continues to hurt 18:00 — The Phillies’ comeback mentality 25:00 — Kyle Schwarber’s clutch gene 32:00 — Trea Turner’s resurgence 39:30 — Previewing Phillies-Braves for the final time 43:00 — Aaron Nola vs. Chris Sale 46:00 — Jesús Luzardo’s dominant stretch 48:45 — Andrew Painter’s bounce-back opportunity 50:00 — Braves hitters to watch 52:00 — Looking ahead & YouTube is back!

The Phillies survived a playoff-like atmosphere this weekend against the Braves, but they left a lot on the table. Josh Liddick breaks down a series split that saw the Phillies drop Friday and Sunday before bouncing back to win Saturday and Monday, highlighted by Jesús Luzardo's complete-game shutout — the best start of his career and a statement performance that pulled his ERA under 3.00. Josh also digs into Sunday's brutal bullpen collapse, where a three-run lead slipped away against Ronald Acuña Jr. and the Braves, and why the Phillies' inconsistent offense keeps undercutting a rotation that's pitching well enough to win a championship. He also covers Kyle Schwarber's three-homer weekend, including a second-deck game-winning shot on Monday, Bryce Harper's on-base streak coming to an end at 35 games, and why the top of the lineup needs to be better with the toughest stretch of the schedule still ahead. Plus, a preview of a big home series against the AL West-leading Houston Astros before the Phillies head back to Atlanta for a crucial three-game set against the Braves. Can the Phillies find their offensive consistency before it's too late? Follow and leave a five-star review for Catchin’ Phils: A Phillies Podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeartRadio⁠⁠⁠⁠, and subscribe to Josh Liddick (⁠⁠⁠⁠Red Pinstripe Press⁠⁠⁠⁠) and Austin Myers (⁠⁠⁠⁠Phillies Perspective⁠⁠⁠⁠) on Substack to get their latest work straight to your inbox.  Follow Catchin’ Phils on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter/X for more content. Episode timestamps: 0:00 – Intro: Phillies-Braves rivalry renewed 2:22 – Recap: Phillies split with the Braves 4:41 – The offense's inconsistency problem 7:08 – Luzardo's statement game against the Braves 11:53 – Luzardo's Cy Young case & contract validation 16:18 – How deep is this Phillies rotation? 20:52 – Andrew Painter's continued growth 23:15 – Harper's on-base streak ends, offense struggles 25:34 – Schwarber's three-homer weekend 28:01 – Turner, Harper & the top of the order 30:21 – Sunday's bullpen meltdown vs. Atlanta 33:37 – This Week: Astros at home, Braves in Atlanta

August is officially behind us, though the month treated the Phillies very nicely. Josh Liddick and Austin Myers break down a wild sweep of the Angels that felt more improbable than the results suggest — including Edmundo Sosa's pinch-hit grand slam that erased a three-run deficit on Friday and a gritty extra-innings win on Saturday. They discuss Zack Wheeler's bounce-back start on Sunday, another dominant outing from Cristopher Sánchez, and why this offense finally looks built for more than just the long ball. They also dig into some costly baserunning mistakes that could bite the Phillies come October, Bryce Harper's on-base streak stretching to 32 games, and Jhoan Duran's growing case for a contract extension after another lockdown outing. Plus, the guys preview a massive series in Phoenix against the Diamondbacks, look ahead to a critical head-to-head weekend with the Braves, and talk playoff positioning as the magic number officially starts to count down. Can the Phillies carry this momentum into the toughest stretch of their schedule? Follow and leave a five-star review for Catchin’ Phils: A Phillies Podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeartRadio⁠⁠⁠⁠, and subscribe to Josh Liddick (⁠⁠⁠⁠Red Pinstripe Press⁠⁠⁠⁠) and Austin Myers (⁠⁠⁠⁠Phillies Perspective⁠⁠⁠⁠) on Substack to get their latest work straight to your inbox.  Follow Catchin’ Phils on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter/X for more content. Episode timestamps: 0:00 – Intro: Phillies cap dominant August1:34 – How the Phillies keep winning games they shouldn't6:49 – Edmundo Sosa's pinch-hit grand slam saves Friday's game9:03 – Sosa, Derek Hill & the bench's turnaround15:32 – Saturday's extra-innings win & Cristopher Sánchez's 200th strikeout17:00 – Baserunning mistakes that could haunt them in October22:48 – Jhoan Duran's case for an extension26:50 – Zack Wheeler snaps his winless streak33:28 – Is this offense finally more than just home runs?38:58 – Playoff positioning & the magic number43:27 – Up next: Phillies at D-Backs48:10 – Wrap-up & where to follow

The Phillies' nine-game winning streak is over. Josh Liddick and Austin Myers break down a tough start to the week in Seattle, where the Phillies dropped the first two games of the series before salvaging the finale on Wednesday. They discuss Zack Wheeler's rough stretch and whether there's real cause for concern, plus Cal Raleigh's historic three-home-run night that helped fuel the Mariners' series win. They also dig into Jesús Luzardo's continued dominance on the road as he pushes into the NL Cy Young conversation, huge months from Kyle Schwarber, who's now the first player in baseball to reach 40 home runs this season, and Bryce Harper, who's riding a career-best 29-game on-base streak. Plus, a look at whether it's time for the Phillies to shake up the lineup around a struggling Trea Turner and a preview of the weekend series against the last-place Angels in Anaheim. Can the Phillies use this softer stretch of the schedule to ready themselves for a much-anticipated series against the Braves next weekend? Follow and leave a five-star review for Catchin' Phils: A Phillies Podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeartRadio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and subscribe to Josh Liddick (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Red Pinstripe Press⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) and Austin Myers (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Phillies Perspective⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) on Substack to get their latest work straight to your inbox.Follow Catchin' Phils on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠Twitter/X⁠ for more content. Episode timestamps: 0:00 – Intro & Mariners series overview3:14 – Cal Raleigh's historic series8:21 – Way-too-early AL pennant predictions11:49 – Is Zack Wheeler a cause for concern?18:03 – Rotation turnaround: Nola, Painter & co.26:33 – Luzardo's road dominance & NLDS rotation talk33:24 – Schwarber chases 40 (and Babe Ruth)38:23 – Bryce Harper's quiet MVP case44:44 – Harper's grind playing two positions51:11 – Should Trea Turner move in the lineup?57:57 – Weekend preview: Phillies at Angels1:01:00 – Wrap-up & where to follow