Phillies News and Discussion 2025 (Part 2)

[Philsmania]

No real shot at the #1 seed--given the tiebreaker, they are dormy.

Clinched the home field advantage over all the AL teams, too, I think.

Our elimination number for HFA is 1 and our magic numbers over both the Yankees and Blue Jays for WS HFA is 1.

[phillychuck]

A very low-pressure place to be. They won’t play a meaningful game until October 4th. Time to heal up and prep for the Divisional Series.

[zambonir]

One of the posters on the old Phils Listserv wondered why Strahm didn't pitch Tuesday. He's only pitched on the 15th and the 20th and has not pitched two games in a row all month. I'm inclined to think they quietly began managing his usage to save him for October, and even more so now that he vested his option and the games are essentially meaningless. Hopefully that's it rather than he's actually nursing something (though he could also have the flu like Harper).

At this point keeping player sharp is as big a factor as rest. Only x factor is how much to let Schwarber chase individual HR number, and whether Turner can get a little real game action. I wonder if they might also want to keep Buehler's outing short tonight and let him pitch again on Sunday just to give him a taste of a true reliever routine.

[phillychuck]

Do they need to give Buehler an extra day off?

[Philsmania]

A very low-pressure place to be. They won’t play a meaningful game until October 4th. Time to heal up and prep for the Divisional Series.

But still, it would be nice to guarantee HFA for a possible trip to the WS. Gotta win one more for that!

[mdougherty12]

One of the posters on the old Phils Listserv wondered why Strahm didn't pitch Tuesday. He's only pitched on the 15th and the 20th and has not pitched two games in a row all month.

I think the announcers said that Strahm was fully warmed up and ready to enter the game Tuesday when the rain delay hit. I think the team wasn't willing to warm him up again after the long-ish delay.

[Austinfan]

With a bye, you can play position players every day unless they have an injury that could be aggravated (hamstring, groin).
Pitchers, by the end of the season arms do get muscle fatigue, balance rest with staying sharp.

[zambonir]

Well, we can probably back into that with the AL teams anyway. But they're not going to be putting out any kind of scrub roster. Just be more conservative about pitcher usage. And if Harper's back and Bohm's shoulder need more rest they should get it. The only real tough call to me is do you risk exposing Schwarber to a HBP or other possible injury just to set the franchise record? Sixty seems more elusive and someone has already done it this year anyway.

[zambonir]

ah good catch

[phillychuck]

I would give every player one or two days off. Including Schwarber. He’s already set franchise records this year. See if you can give Sosa 12 days off again--that seems to work well for him.

Bohm is an interesting case...he’s so hot you want to keep playing him. And it would be nice to get Turner a couple of ABs and some time in the field. I’m sure Harper will want to play once he’s over the flu or whatever illness he has. Rotate the position players, keep them sharp but give them whatever rest they need to heal up.

[zambonir]

What franchise record has Schwarber set, other than participating in last night? (I mean, he's now set an MLB record for most HRs by a LHB against LHP, so obviously that one too, but that strikes me as a bit of a niche milestone.) He's also in the MVP race of course, even if he can't win.

Bohm is hot but he's getting four days off regardless so one or two more won't matter. If, in fact, his shoulder is still an issue, which apparently it is. What we're seeing now is because of the rest.

I'm sure by Saturday and Sunday there will be lots of off days. If Harper and JT don't play again that would not necessarily be a bad thing.

And best path to batting title for Trea is probably still not playing.

[xogfog]

I don't hink you have to give anyone time off, save for sick and injured players, because they do have the bye.

[zambonir]

With the platoon OF and the recent injuries there are barely guys who need time off anyway. Kemp and Wilson have probably played as much as anyone. And if they actually activate Turner they have to option Kemp (or Stubbs) briefly.

The most value is probably just making sure everyone gets their time, including the bench players, and the backup C. But you also don't want to see someone important get hit by a pitch or strain something in meaningless games. At this time of year, probably half the roster has some kind of thing they are playing through. I mean, we already know JT, Harper, Bohm, Turner and Casty all have issues, plus Sosa even if he obviously looked 100% last night.

[Docs]

What franchise record has Schwarber set

Most home runs in a single season by a DH and most home runs in a single season for a non-first baseman.

[zambonir]

That still seems pretty niche. Especially the DH one! Probably more people have hit 60 home runs in MLB history than have hit double-digit HRs in one season as a Phillies DH (is there even anyone other than Schwarber and Harper?).

If he actually gets to 58 fast it will become a topic of discussion. If he's still stuck on 57 after Friday I'm sure he'll play.

Also this appears to be the first time the last game of the season has actually been at home/Fan Appreciation Day since 2019. I think the year of the lockout it got taken away.

[Philsmania]

How important is it for Schwarber to pass Howard? If he cracks two more anytime before Sunday, Howard--who lives in the area--will probably need to keep his schedule clear to be at CBP in the event that Schwarber hits it.

[zambonir]

I think tying it would suffice. Thomson has already said he's going to let him go for it. 60 might be a different conversation. Sounds like Howard can be there tonight and tomorrow but not Sat or Sun.

Kyle Schwarber is closing in on the Phillies record for home runs in a season,...

[Jazzhead]

I was at the yard both last night and the night before. While even just one of those dingers would have been helpful the night before, the streakiness of this team's offense is just something we'll have to live with.

What appears both solid and consistent is our trio of superb lefty starters, who strike out batters and don't walk 'em. Perhaps overlooked in last night's home run derby was Luzardo getting his ERA below four while striking out ten and walking none.

I expect and predict great things.

[Docs]

That still seems pretty niche.

that's why it is a funny response.

[zambonir]

Ha well, I wasn't asking you! Still genuinely don't know what laurel PC thinks Schwarber should (literally) rest on instead of trying to catch Howard.