#22 | The Phillies Keep Winning—but at What Cost?

#22 | The Phillies Keep Winning—but at What Cost?

The Phillies keep stacking series wins, but the margin for comfort is getting thinner as injuries, roster shifts, and late-inning volatility start to creep into the conversation. In this episode of Catchin’ Phils, Josh breaks down another series win for the Phillies in Toronto, ending with a  7–4 series-clinching win over the Blue Jays, highlighted by a power display from their key sluggers, plus a sharp bounce-back outing from Jesús Luzardo. He also looks at another strong response from closer Jhoan Duran after his first blown save of the season—and what it actually says about his workload, not just the numbers. From there, the outfield picture gets complicated fast. The injury to Adolis García and the season-ending UCL tear for Johan Rojas immediately reshapes the conversation, especially after the Phillies moved quickly to acquire Derek Hill. Is this just depth insurance, or the first real signal of a bigger deadline strategy? He also digs into what’s quietly becoming one of the most impressive stretches in franchise history under interim manager Don Mattingly. Finally, Josh previews a looming road test against the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers and their impressive pitching staff. Follow and leave a five-star review for Catchin’ Phils: A Phillies Podcast on ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/2NoUbI6MGPd56jbtej2F9n?si=e7cf1113d4e848f9], ⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catchin-phils-a-phillies-podcast/id1879593175]⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠ [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/2d35d365-0cb3-461d-8272-f19214a0145c/catchin'-phils-a-phillies-podcast]⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠iHeartRadio⁠ [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-catchin-phils-a-phillies-p-324485666/about]⁠⁠, and subscribe to Josh Liddick (⁠⁠⁠Red Pinstripe Press⁠ [https://redpinstripepress.substack.com/]⁠⁠) and Austin Myers (⁠⁠⁠Phillies Perspective⁠ [https://philliesperspective.substack.com/]⁠⁠) on Substack to get their latest work straight to your inbox. The podcast is also streaming weekly on the Catchin' Phils ⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@CatchinPhillies/featured].

#21 | The Streak Ends, The Legend Grows

After a week off, Josh and Austin return to the pod to discuss Cristopher Sánchez’s historic scoreless streak that finally came to an end, but not before rewriting both Phillies and MLB record books. They break down where Sánchez’s 50 ⅔-inning streak ranks among the greatest in baseball history, and if another dominant run could be starting in Toronto. Plus, Andrew Painter’s rollercoaster rookie season takes another turn after back-to-back rough outings. Should the Phillies consider making a change, or is there simply no better option right now? The guys discuss Painter’s recent struggles, what’s behind them, and how the organization can help him regain consistency. The Phillies are miraculously back in a playoff spot despite sitting 9.5 games behind Atlanta, and they've been playing the best baseball in the majors since Don Mattingly took over. They examine their playoff outlook and what has fueled the turnaround. Josh and Austin also dive into encouraging signs from the right side of the lineup, as Alec Bohm continues his resurgence and Adolis García finally shows signs of life at the plate. Is it enough to stabilize the offense, or will Dave Dombrowski still need to find a right-handed bat at the trade deadline? They also highlight Brandon Marsh’s remarkable start to the season as he continues to establish himself as one of the National League’s most consistent hitters. After Trea Turner captured the NL batting title a year ago, Marsh has put himself firmly in the conversation to make it back-to-back batting champions for the Phillies. Finally, ESPN's Buster Olney linked the Phillies to two-time reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal ahead of the trade deadline. Is a blockbuster deal realistic? What would it cost? And could John Middleton’s ‘stupid money’ actually keep Skubal in Philadelphia beyond this season? Follow and leave a five-star review for Catchin’ Phils: A Phillies Podcast on ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/2NoUbI6MGPd56jbtej2F9n?si=e7cf1113d4e848f9], ⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catchin-phils-a-phillies-podcast/id1879593175]⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠ [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/2d35d365-0cb3-461d-8272-f19214a0145c/catchin'-phils-a-phillies-podcast]⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠iHeartRadio⁠ [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-catchin-phils-a-phillies-p-324485666/about]⁠⁠, and subscribe to Josh Liddick (⁠⁠⁠Red Pinstripe Press⁠ [https://redpinstripepress.substack.com/]⁠⁠) and Austin Myers (⁠⁠⁠Phillies Perspective⁠ [https://philliesperspective.substack.com/]⁠⁠) on Substack to get their latest work straight to your inbox. The podcast is also streaming weekly on the Catchin' Phils ⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@CatchinPhillies/featured].

#20 | Grading the Phillies Through Memorial Day

The calendar hit Memorial Day, and that means it’s time for a full check-in on the Phillies. Josh and Austin hand out grades for every part of the roster — offense, defense, starting pitching, bullpen, bench, and coaching — and take a hard look at where things stand through the first two months of the season. Who’s carrying their weight, who’s slipping, and what needs to change as the summer heats up? On the mound, it’s been nothing short of dominant. Cristopher Sánchez is in the middle of a historic run — 37 ⅔ straight scoreless innings, the second-longest streak in franchise history behind Grover Cleveland Alexander — paired with four straight shutout performances. Meanwhile, Zack Wheeler has been just as locked in, allowing one earned run over his last 20⅓ innings. Combined, they’ve powered a staggering 51 consecutive scoreless innings. But while the pitching has been elite, the offense has hit a wall. The guys discuss a frustrating six-game stretch at Citizens Bank Park, during which the Phillies were outscored 21–14 and dropped two straight series. The bats went ice cold, slashing just .174/.256/.303 against the Reds and Guardians — with limited power and too many empty at-bats. The absence of Kyle Schwarber due to illness loomed large, and even the stars struggled, including Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and J.T. Realmuto. There were a couple of bright spots, though — Bryson Stott led the way with a .959 OPS over the stretch, and Alec Bohm chipped in with a pair of home runs. So, where does that leave this team heading into June? They’ve got grades, takes, and plenty to debate. Follow and leave a five-star review for Catchin’ Phils: A Phillies Podcast on ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/2NoUbI6MGPd56jbtej2F9n?si=e7cf1113d4e848f9], ⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catchin-phils-a-phillies-podcast/id1879593175]⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠ [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/2d35d365-0cb3-461d-8272-f19214a0145c/catchin'-phils-a-phillies-podcast]⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠iHeartRadio⁠ [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-catchin-phils-a-phillies-p-324485666/about]⁠⁠, and subscribe to Josh Liddick (⁠⁠⁠Red Pinstripe Press⁠ [https://redpinstripepress.substack.com/]⁠⁠) and Austin Myers (⁠⁠⁠Phillies Perspective⁠ [https://philliesperspective.substack.com/]⁠⁠) on Substack to get their latest work straight to your inbox. The podcast is also streaming weekly on the Catchin' Phils ⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@CatchinPhillies/featured].

#19 | The Phillies Are Good at Baseball

Josh and Austin break down a massive series sweep in Pittsburgh as the Phillies extend their winning ways to six straight series victories after dropping six in a row earlier this season — improving to 24-23 after a 9-19 start. The guys dive into the team’s incredible 15-4 run under interim manager Don Mattingly, a +37 run differential since April 28, and what’s fueling one of the best stretches of baseball in the league. The episode highlights a wild 11-9 extra-innings comeback win, back-to-back shutouts for the first time since 2022, and total dominance from Cristopher Sánchez — who may have officially entered the Cy Young conversation after three straight scoreless outings. They also discuss Zack Wheeler’s continued excellence after successfully outdueling Paul Skenes, Alec Bohm’s red-hot hitting streak, and lingering concerns with the back end of the rotation. Plus, the guys cover recent roster moves, including Otto Kemp’s call-up, the Phillies’ interest in Japanese slugger Teruaki Sato, and preview a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park against the Reds — including pitching matchups and players to watch like JJ Bleday and Chase Burns. Follow and leave a five-star review for Catchin’ Phils: A Phillies Podcast on ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/2NoUbI6MGPd56jbtej2F9n?si=e7cf1113d4e848f9], ⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catchin-phils-a-phillies-podcast/id1879593175]⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠ [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/2d35d365-0cb3-461d-8272-f19214a0145c/catchin'-phils-a-phillies-podcast]⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠iHeartRadio⁠ [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-catchin-phils-a-phillies-p-324485666/about]⁠⁠, and subscribe to Josh Liddick (⁠⁠⁠Red Pinstripe Press⁠ [https://redpinstripepress.substack.com/]⁠⁠) and Austin Myers (⁠⁠⁠Phillies Perspective⁠ [https://philliesperspective.substack.com/]⁠⁠) on Substack to get their latest work straight to your inbox. The podcast is also streaming weekly on the Catchin' Phils ⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@CatchinPhillies/featured].

#18 | Set Down the Sox, Preparing for the Pirates

Josh and Austin break down the Phillies’ gritty series victory over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park as the Phils secure their fifth straight series win after dropping six consecutive series earlier this season — becoming the first team since the 2005 Mets to pull off that turnaround. Despite an ice-cold offense that scored just five runs and hit .173 in Boston, the Phillies leaned on dominant pitching performances from Zack Wheeler, Jesús Luzardo, and the bullpen to take two of three from the Sox. The guys discuss Kyle Schwarber’s historic home run pace, Bryson Stott continuing to come through in big spots, Brandon Marsh’s hitting streak ending, and an encouraging outing from top prospect Andrew Painter. Plus, they preview a weekend set in Pittsburgh against the surging Pirates, including a marquee Zack Wheeler vs. Paul Skenes matchup on Sunday, and which Bucs could give the Phillies problems this weekend. Follow and leave a five-star review for Catchin’ Phils: A Phillies Podcast on ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/2NoUbI6MGPd56jbtej2F9n?si=e7cf1113d4e848f9], ⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catchin-phils-a-phillies-podcast/id1879593175]⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠ [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/2d35d365-0cb3-461d-8272-f19214a0145c/catchin'-phils-a-phillies-podcast]⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠iHeartRadio⁠ [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-catchin-phils-a-phillies-p-324485666/about]⁠⁠, and subscribe to Josh Liddick (⁠⁠⁠Red Pinstripe Press⁠ [https://redpinstripepress.substack.com/]⁠⁠) and Austin Myers (⁠⁠⁠Phillies Perspective⁠ [https://philliesperspective.substack.com/]⁠⁠) on Substack to get their latest work straight to your inbox. The podcast is also streaming weekly on the Catchin' Phils ⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@CatchinPhillies/featured].