Game 10 - Outfield Miscue, Bullpen Cause Win to Slip Away

Philadelphia Phillies	5
Atlanta Braves	7

2015 Bowman
Prospects Yellow #BP95

Tuesday Night, April 8th

Truist Park - Atlanta, GA
7-3, 2nd Place, 1/2 game behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Advertised as a pitcher's duel between Chris Sale and Zack Wheeler, this game ended up having a little bit of everything as the Phillies fell short, 7-5.

What It Means:  It's a very long season, and we're only at the start of it, but the Phillies fell into second place with this loss, coupled with a six-game winning streak by the Mets.

What Happened:  The Phillies struck first when Nick Castellanos singled home Alec Bohm in the first inning.  Sean Murphy connected for a three-run home run in the second, giving the Braves a 3-1 lead.  The Phils battled back with three of their own in the top of the third, on a two-run triple from Kyle Schwarber and an RBI-double from Castellanos.  Schwarber blasted a 462-foot two-run home run to center to make it 5-3 Phillies, and he'd fall a double short of the cycle.  And there ended the highlights for the good guys.

The Braves tied the game in the sixth, chasing Wheeler in the process.  Orion Kerkering and Tanner Banks allowed a pair of runs to score in the seventh and eighth innings, giving the Braves a 7-5 lead.

Featured Card:  Manager Rob Thomson is trying to keep the hot bat of Edmundo Sosa in the line-up, so Sosa got a start in left field, his first time starting at that position in the majors.  In the bottom of the first, Sosa leaped over the left field wall to catch and bring back what would have been a home run from Marcell Ozuna.  In the bottom of the second, miscommunication between Sosa and center fielder Johan Rojas allowed a ball to drop right in front of Rojas, prolonging the inning and ultimately leading to Murphy's three-run home run.

I recently discovered this card in my collection, of a teenage Sosa, as I'm slowly adding cards from my "Doubles / Everything Else" collection to TCDB.  It looks like he's standing in a puddle?

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Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves - N.L. East Rivals Meet

2025 Chachi 2005 Topps Missing Links #6

2005 Topps Update #UH2

Tuesday, April 8th - 7:15
Wednesday, April 9th - 7:15
Thursday, April 10th - 7:15

Philadelphia Phillies 7-2
1st Place in the N.L. East, 1/2 game ahead of the Mets

Phillies Probables
Zack Wheeler (1-0, 1.38)
Taijuan Walker (1-0, 0.00)
Jesus Luzardo (2-0, 1.50)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Bryson Stott - .286
Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 9
Home Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 4
RBIs:  Kyle Schwarber - 8
Stolen Bases:  Trea Turner - 3

Wins:  Jesus Luzardo - 2
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 1.38
Strikeouts:  Jesus Luzardo - 19
Saves:  Jose Alvarado - 2

Truist Park - Atlanta, GA
On Wednesday, the first 15,000 fans will receive a Chris Sale Cy Young bobblehead.

Atlanta Braves 1-8
5th Place in the N.L. East, 6 games behind the Phillies

Braves Probables
Chris Sale (0-1, 5.40)
Spencer Schwellenbach (1-0, 0.00)
AJ Smith-Shawver (0-2, 5.19)

Braves Leaders
Average:  Michael Harris - .242
Runs:  Marcell Ozuna - 6
Home Runs:  Six tied with - 1
RBIs:  Three tied with - 5
Stolen Bases:  Nick Allen - 2

Wins:  Spencer Schwellenbach - 1
ERA:  Spencer Schwellenbach - 0.00

Strikeouts:  Spencer Schwellenbach - 14
Saves:  N/A

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Game 9 - Casty's Slam Helps Phils to Series Win

Los Angeles Dodgers	7
Philadelphia Phillies	8

2024 Topps Cosmic Chrome #175

Sunday Afternoon, April 6th

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
7-2, 1st Place, 1 game ahead of the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies held off the Dodgers in this 8-7 win, highlighted by Nick Castellanos' third inning grand slam.

What It Means:  The two teams battled through a steady, cold mist with the Phillies ultimately prevailing late in this game.  After winning the first three series of the season against the Nationals, Rockies and Dodgers, and Phillies travel to Atlanta for a set against the struggling Braves.

What Happened:  Trailing 2-0 heading to the bottom of the third, the Phillies would plate six runs and chase Dodgers' starter Tyler Glasnow from the game.  Bryce Harper singled home Rafael Marchan for the first run, and Glasnow later uncorked a wild pitch allowing the Phillies to tie the score, 2-2.  Glasnow loaded the bases, exited the game, and Castellanos took the first pitch he saw from reliever Alex Vesia into the left field bleachers.  It was Castellanos' first grand slam with the Phillies.

Jordan Romano's struggles continued as the Dodgers took a 7-6 lead in the seventh, scoring three runs on two hits and a walk off the reliever.  But the Phillies came back in the bottom of the inning, when Harper laced a lead-off double and came home on a Bryson Stott single.  Edmundo Sosa beat out a fielder's choice ground out with Max Kepler scoring the eventual winning run.  Jose Alvarado pitched a clean ninth for his second save.

Featured Card:  I'm not sure why I continue to collect cards with a set name of Topps Cosmic Chrome at my age, but here we are.

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Game 8 - Sasaki, Dodgers' Bullpen Quiet Phils' Bats

Los Angeles Dodgers	3
Philadelphia Phillies	1

2018 Topps
Philadelphia Phillies #PP-6

Saturday Afternoon, April 5th

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
6-2, 1st Place, 1 game ahead of the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  The long ball once again hurt Aaron Nola and the Phillies' offense couldn't solve Roki Sasaki in this 3-1 loss to the Dodgers.

What It Means:  The Phillies will attempt another series win this afternoon behind Cristopher Sanchez.

What Happened:  Sasaki only pitched four innings, allowing a run on three hits while striking out four.  The Phillies scored in the first inning after Kyle Schwarber led off the game with a single, went to third when Trea Turner singled to right and came home on an Alec Bohm ground out.  The offense wouldn't have another hit until Bryson Stott singled in the fifth, and then they'd have another offensive dry spell until Bryce Harper singled to lead off the ninth.

Nola took the loss, dropping to 0-2, allowing a two-run home run to Enrique Hernandez in the second and a solo home run to Michael Conforto in the sixth.  Nola allowed seven hits overall, a walk and he struck out a pair.

Featured Card:  38-year-old Luis Garcia pitched out of the Dodgers' bullpen against the Phillies on Friday night, shutting down the offense for 1 1/3 innings.  I had no idea the former Phillies' reliever was still pitching, and this is his thirteenth season in the majors.  He's bounced around a bunch, pitching with the Phillies (2013-18), Angels (2019), Rangers (2020), Cardinals (2021), Padres (2022-23), Angels again (2024), Red Sox (2024) and now the Dodgers (2025).  Way back in 2018, he was included in the Topps Phillies retail team set, and I haven't seen any sign (yet) of these sets returning for 2025.

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Game 7 - Luzardo, Realmuto Hand Dodgers First Loss of '25

Los Angeles Dodgers	2
Philadelphia Phillies	3

2024 Topps Archives #84

Game 7

Friday Night, April 4th

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
6-1, 1st Place, 2 games ahead of the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Jesus Luzardo made it look easy against a potent Dodgers' line-up and J.T. Realmuto gunned down two would-be base stealers in this 3-2 victory.

What It Means:  The Dodgers entered the series with an 8-0 mark, and the Phillies handed them their first loss of the season while wearing their City Connect uniforms in the first home Friday game of the year.

What Happened:  Luzardo improved to 2-0 with seven shutout innings, allowing just a pair of hits, two walks and striking out eight.  Jordan Romano made it interesting in the ninth, allowing a pair of walks and a two-run home run to Tommy Edman, before Realmuto ended the game with a strike down to second to catch Chris Taylor, the potential tying run, stealing.  An inning before, Realmuto ended the frame by throwing out Shoehei Ohtani trying to swipe second.

In the first, Trea Turner doubled, stole third base, and came home to score when pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw the ball away on a pick-off attempt.  The Phillies scored two more runs in the seventh after Max Kepler walked, Nick Castellanos doubled, Bryson Stott singled Kepler home and Castellanos scored on a ground-out to second by Brandon Marsh.

Featured Card:  It's going to be a bit longer before I have any Luzardo Phillies cards, so here's a recent card for All-Star catcher Realmuto.  The 2024 Topps Archives set is a 2024 set in name only, as it wasn't released until early January.

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Los Angeles Dodgers at Philadelphia Phillies - Shohei Time

2005 Topps #595

2025 Chachi 2005 Topps Missing Links #11

Friday, April 4th - 6:45
Saturday, April 5th - 4:05
Sunday, April 6th - 1:35


Los Angeles Dodgers 8-0
1st Place in the N.L. West, 1/2 game ahead of the Padres

Dodgers Probables
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (1-0, 2.70)
Roki Sasaki (0-0, 5.79)
Tyler Glasgow (1-0, 0.00)

Dodgers Leaders
Average:  Will Smith - .450
Runs:  Shohei Ohtani - 11
Home Runs:  Tommy Edman - 4
RBIs:  Teoscar Hernandez - 8
Stolen Bases:  Shohei Ohtani - 2

Wins:  Anthony Blade - 2
ERA:  Blake Snell - 2.00
Strikeouts:  Yoshinobu Yamamoto - 14
Saves:  Tanner Scott - 2

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
Saturday is being called Kids Opening Day and all fans 14 and under will receive a Phillies knit hat.  On Sunday, all fans will go home with a 2025 schedule magnet.

Philadelphia Phillies 5-1
1st Place in the N.L. East, 1 1/2 games ahead of the Marlins

Phillies Probables
Jesus Luzardo (1-0, 3.60)
Aaron Nola (0-1, 8.44)
Cristopher Sanchez (0-0, 1.69)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Kyle Schwarber - .308
Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 7
Home Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 4
RBIs:  Kyle Schwarber - 8
Stolen Bases:  J.T. Realmuto - 2

Wins:  Five tied with - 1
ERA:  Taijuan Walker - 0.00

Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 18
Saves:  Jose Alvarado - 1

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Game 6 - Walker Shuts Down Rockies, Phils Sweep

Colorado Rockies	1
Philadelphia Phillies	3

2024 Topps Heritage #384

Game 6

Thursday Afternoon, April 3rd

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
5-1, 1st Place, 1 1/2 games ahead of the Marlins

One Sentence Summary:  Taijuan Walker threw one of the best games of his Phillies career, and Jose Alvarado wriggled out of his own trouble in the ninth as the Phillies won the game, 3-1, sweeping the series against the Rockies.

What It Means:  Now comes the real test as the undefeated Dodgers come to town for a three-game weekend series.

What Happened:  Walker tossed six shutout innings, allowing three hits and striking out four before handing it over to the bullpen.  Alvarado allowed a run on three hits and a walk in the ninth but ended up striking out the side for his first save of the season.  Bryce Harper doubled home Kyle Schwarber in the fifth for the game's first run.  Schwarber hit his fourth home run in the seventh, and J.T. Realmuto scored on a wild pitch in the eighth to give the Phillies a 3-1 lead.

Featured Card:  Good for Walker.  He certainly seems like a good guy, and his tenure this far in Philly has been less than stellar.  He'll likely get at least a few more starts before Ranger Suarez's back is healthy enough for his return.  This is his 1975 Topps inspired card from last year's Topps Heritage set.

Field Report:  Jenna and I opted to skip the second half of our work days to attend our first game of the 2025 season.  As has been tradition in recent years for our first trip to the ballpark of the season, we spent a lot of the game leisurely walking the concourse, taking in the sights, sounds, food and drink.  I signed us up for the Phillies Club 215 (the teen club . . . shhh) so that I could again reap a few Phillies goodies and collect the only team-issued baseball card set now being produced by the club.  After that, we enjoyed lunch at Pass and Stow, perused the team store and found a pair of comfortable Adirondack chairs by the Kona Big Wave Bar where we watched/listened the game.  We'll actually make it to our seats next time.

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Game 5 - Wheeler Wins First of 2025

Colorado Rockies	1
Philadelphia Phillies	5

2025 Topps #218

Game 5

Wednesday Night, April 2nd

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
4-1, 1st Place, 1 game ahead of the Marlins

One Sentence Summary:  Zack Wheeler picked up his first win of the season and Edmundo Sosa stayed hot at the plate in this 5-1 win over the Rockies.

What It Means:  The Phillies will go for a series sweep on Thursday afternoon behind Taijuan Walker, before welcoming the Dodgers to town for a weekend set.

What Happened:  Wheeler allowed a solo home run to Hunter Goodman in the seventh inning, the only blemish during his otherwise spotless performance.  He had allowed two hits prior to that, and ended his outing with 10 strikeouts.

The Phillies scored first in the fourth inning when Kyle Schwarber doubled home Alec Bohm.  With a slim 2-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh, Trea Turner singled home Sosa.  Sosa made it 5-1 Phillies with a two-run double in the eighth.  Filling in for Bryson Stott in this game, Sosa went 3 for 4 to raise his season average to a gaudy .600 (9 for 15) with four doubles.

Featured Card:  Here's Wheeler's most recent Topps flagship card from Topps Series One.

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Game 4 - Sosa Sparks Late Inning Win

Colorado Rockies	1
Philadelphia Phillies	6

2024 Philadelphia Phillies Photocards

Game 4

Monday Afternoon, March 31st

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
3-1, 1st Place, 1/2 game ahead of the Marlins

One Sentence Summary:  Back-to-back doubles by Bryson Stott and Edmundo Sosa in the seventh gave the Phillies the lead for good in this game, supporting a strong outing from Cristopher Sanchez.

What It Means:  We originally had tickets for this game, as it's become an annual tradition for us to get to the home opener.  Having two sons now playing high school sports, and with both their teams, baseball and tennis, kicking off their seasons, we made the easy decision to give away our Phillies tickets and attend their opening day high school game/match.  The Phillies fared better than their high school teams.

What Happened:  Rockies' starting pitcher German Marquez held the Phillies to four hits with nary a run over the first six innings of the game.  Sanchez had allowed a sixth inning solo home run to Hunter Goodman.  The Phillies plated four quick runs in the seventh, all with two outs, with Stott doubling, Trea Turner drawing a walk, Sosa doubling Stott home and Kyle Schwarber hitting his third home run of the season.  In the eighth, Max Kepler and Nick Castellanos hit back-to-back solo home runs to give the Phillies a 6-1 lead.

Featured Card:  Sosa has filled in nicely for Turner the last few days, as the regular shortstop deals with back issues.  Here's his card from the fairly rare and not yet completely checklisted 2024 Phillies Photo Card set.

Transaction:  On Tuesday, the Phillies claimed Brett de Geus (rhp) off waivers from the Miami Marlins and optioned him to Lehigh Valley.  Also, Buddy Kennedy (inf) cleared waivers, declined his assignment to the minor leagues, but then resigned with the Phillies on a minor league contract.

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Colorado Rockies at Philadelphia Phillies - 2025 Home Opener

2005 Topps Retired Signature Autographs #TA-CDH

2005 Topps Retired Signature Autographs #TA-BD

Monday, March 31st - 3:05
Wednesday, April 2nd - 6:45
Thursday, April 3rd - 1:05




Colorado Rockies 1-2
5th Place in the N.L. West, 3 games behind the Dodgers

Rockies Probables
German Marquez (0-0, 0.00)
Kyle Freeland (0-0, 0.00)
Antonio Senzatela (0-0, 0.00)

Rockies Leaders
Average:  Nick Martini - .444
Runs:  Nick Martini and Michael Toglia - 2
Home Runs:  Mickey Moniak - 1
RBIs:  Kyle Farmer and Mickey Moniak - 2
Stolen Bases:  Jordan Beck - 2

Wins:  Luis Peralta - 1
ERA:  Kyle Freeland and Antonio Senzatela - 0.00
Strikeouts:  Kyle Freeland - 7
Saves:  Steve Halvorsen - 1

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
The Phillies will celebrate their home opener on Monday afternoon, with all fans receiving a 2024 National League East Champions pennant.  On Wednesday, fans 15 and over will receive a McDonald's Opening Night t-shirt.

Philadelphia Phillies 2-1
2nd Place in the N.L. East, 1/2 game behind the Marlins

Phillies Probables
Cristopher Sanchez (0-0, 0.00
Zack Wheeler (0-0, 1.50)
Taijuan Walker (0-0, 0.00)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Edmundo Sosa - .500
Runs:  Bryson Stott - 4
Home Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 2
RBIs:  Kyle Schwarber - 4
Stolen Bases:  Bryson Stott - 1

Wins:  Jose Alvarado and Jesus Luzardo - 1
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 1.50

Strikeouts:  Jesus Luzardo - 11
Saves:  N/A

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Game 3 - Long Ball, Lack of Timely Hits Downs Phils

Philadelphia Phillies	1
Washington Nationals	5

2009 Upper Deck Update #U17

Game 3

Sunday Afternoon, March 30th

Nationals Park - Washington, DC
2-1, 2nd Place, 1/2 game behind the Marlins

One Sentence Summary:  Aaron Nola gave up two big home runs and the Phillies' offense went 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position in this 5-1 loss.

What It Means:  After winning the series in Washington, the Phillies return to Citizens Bank Park for their home opener on Monday afternoon against the Rockies.

What Happened:  Nola surrendered a three-run home run to Josh Bell in the fourth and a two-run home run to Nathaniel Lowe in the sixth, chasing him from the game.  He struck out eight and didn't walk a batter.  The Phillies had their chances, but couldn't come up with a big hit.  They had runners in scoring position in each of the first four innings, but didn't push across any runs.  A bases loaded threat in the seventh ended when Alec Bohm grounded into a double play.

Nationals' starting pitcher Mitchell Parker pitched 6 1/3 shutout innings, giving up seven hits and a pair of walks while striking out five.

Featured Card:  We're only three games into the season, and we've arrived at the first game with no logical choice for a featured card.  Here's a card of former Phillie and current Nationals' bench coach, Miguel Cairo.

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Game 2 - Luzardo Deals, Offense Mashes in Win

Philadelphia Phillies	11
Washington Nationals	6

2020 Topps Opening Day #105

Game 2

Saturday Afternoon, March 29th

Nationals Park - Washington, DC
2-0, 1st Place, 1/2 game ahead of the Marlins

One Sentence Summary:  Jesus Luzardo struck out 11 and earned the win in his Phillies debut, while Kyle Scharber and Brandon Marsh both hit three-run home runs in this 11-6 win.

What It Means:  Luzardo's 11 strike outs tied him for second most in a Phillies debut, as Jim Bunning also struck out 11 in 1964, and Garrett Stephenson (!) struck out 12 in 1997.  The Phillies go for the series sweep this afternoon behind Aaron Nola.

What Happened:  Luzardo's only blemish was allowing a two-run home run to Keibert Ruiz in the second inning.  He allowed five hits and walked a pair over five innings.  The non-high leverage pitchers from the Phillies bullpen - Jose Ruiz, Carlos Hernandez, Joe Ross - all allowed runs, making this game closer than it needed to be.

The Phillies tied the game at 2-2 thanks to Bryson Stott's two-run home run in the fourth.  Stott had doubled in his first at-bat.  They took the lead for good in a five-run sixth inning, bookended by a bases loaded walk to Edmundo Sosa and Schwarber's second home run of the season.  Marsh hit his blast in the seventh, giving the Phillies a 10-3 lead.

Sosa was in the line-up as Trea Turner was a late scratch with back stiffness.

Featured Card:  Luzardo will need to wait a bit for his first Phillies baseball card, and here's one of his rookie cards from 2020 Topps Opening Day.

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Game 1 - Phils Win in Extras After Record-Setting K Day

Philadelphia Phillies	7
Washington Nationals	3

10 Innings

2024 Topps Throwback
Thursday #112

Game 1

Thursday Afternoon, March 27th

Nationals Park - Washington, DC
1-0, Tied for 1st Place, 1 game ahead of the Braves, Mets and Nationals

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies struck out a record 19 times on opening day, but still got away with an extra-inning, 7-3 win.

What It Means:  It was an anti-climatic opening day for me, as I was 500 miles away in Myrtle Beach getting ready to watch my son and his high school team play a scrimmage at the Cal Ripken Experience.  Both the Phillies and his team came away with wins, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't more excited about the high school scrimmage victory than the Phillies' opening day win.

What Happened:  Nationals' starter MacKenzie Gore and four relievers combined to strike out 19 Phillies, with Gore tallying 13 of those in six innings of work, tying an opening day record.  As soon as Gore exited, the Phillies took a 2-1 lead in the seventh with solo home runs from Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber.  It was Harper's sixth opening day home run.  Max Kepler made it 3-1 Phillies when he scored on a wild pitch in the eighth.  Jordan Romano had a rough Phillies debut, allowing the Nationals to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth.

In the the top of the 10th, Bryson Stott stole third with two outs after starting the inning at second as the zombie runner.  Harper drew a walk, and Alec Bohm doubled them both home, giving the Phillies a 5-3 lead.  J.T. Realmuto would bring home two more runs later in the inning with a triple.  Zack Wheeler got a no decision, but struck out eight and allowed just a solo home run in his six-inning 2025 debut.

Featured Card:  Bohm had the big hit, and there were times during the offseason it seemed he'd definitely be traded.  I recently added this card to my collection, paying tribute to a 1991 Topps Magazine card.

Transaction:  Prior to the game, opening day rosters were announced and Buddy Kennedy (inf) was officially designated for assignment.  Weston Wilson (inf) and Ranger Suarez (lhp) were placed on the injured list, retroactive to March 24th.

On Wednesday, the Phillies traded Tyler Phillips (rhp) to the Miami Marlins for cash considerations.  Phillips was out of minor league options and he made his debut with the Marlins on Friday, pitching three innings of scoreless relief.  With the Phillies, he was 4-1 in eight appearances, including seven starts.  He threw one memorable shutout on July 27th against the Guardians.

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Philadelphia Phillies at Washington Nationals - Baseball is Back!

2025 Chachi 2005 Topps Missing Links #3

2025 Chachi Series Previews #1

Thursday, March 27th - 4:05
Saturday, March 29th - 4:05
Sunday, March 30th - 1:35

Philadelphia Phillies 95-67
2024 National League East Champions

Phillies Probables
Zack Wheeler (16-7, 2.57)
Jesus Luzardo (3-6, 5.00)
Aaron Nola (14-8, 3.57)

Phillies Spring Leaders
Average:  Kody Clemens - .327
Runs:  Alec Bohm and Kody Clemens - 11
Home Runs:  Four tied with - 3
RBIs:  Max Kepler and Edmundo Sosa - 11
Stolen Bases:  Oscar Mercado - 4

Wins:  Jose Ruiz - 2
ERA:  Jose Alvarado - 0.00
Strikeouts:  Jose Alvarado - 20
Saves:  Jack Dallas - 2

Nationals Park - Washington, DC
The first 20,000 fans will receive a Nationals opening day t-shirt on Thursday.

Washington Nationals 71-91
4th place in the National League East

Nationals Probables
MacKenzie Gore (10-12, 3.90)
TBD
TBD

Nationals Spring Leaders
Average:  CJ Abrams and Dylan Crews - .273
Runs:  Dylan Crews - 13
Home Runs:  James Wood - 4
RBIs:  Keibert Ruiz and James Wood - 11
Stolen Bases:  Nasim Nunez - 7

Wins:  MacKenzie Gore and Trevor Williams - 2
ERA:  Trevor Williams - 3.93

Strikeouts:  Trevor Williams - 19
Saves:  Clay Helvey - 2

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Introducing the 2025 Chachi Set - Getting Nostalgic for 2005

2025 Chachi Preview #2

2025 Chachi Preview #1

2025 Chachi Friendly Encounters #1

Time is going quicker these days, and I'm at the age where events that seemed to have happened five or six years ago actually happened closer to 20 or 25 years ago in reality.  I've been doing better, I think, on focusing on the present and making sure to "Be Here Now" as the wise sage George Harrison once sang.  I I still get nostalgic though, and it's crazy for me to realize I've been making these custom Chachi Phillies sets since way back in 2005.  A ton has happened in 20 years.  It's staggering how much has happened.

When it came time for me to pick a design I'd work with this year to make my Chachi set, I really didn't feel any excitement about tackling one of the sets from the 1970s or 1980s I've not worked with yet - 1972, 1987 or 1989.  I honestly considered double dipping and going back to one of the earlier designs of these Chachi sets (1981, 1975 or 1976) but that didn't necessarily seem like fun either, even though I love those designs.  That's when I turned my attention to the Topps sets of the 2000s.  I found myself with a new found appreciation of a set I had likely dismissed when it first came out.  I found myself getting nostalgic about 2005 and the 2005 Topps set.

We were newly married in 2005, not yet with children.  My Dad's health issues hadn't fully surfaced yet, and he was grumbling daily about bad decisions Charlie Manuel had made or complaining about the team's playoff drought.  The world didn't seem so cruel or so divided in 2005.  I didn't actively avoid the news and social media in 2005 in an effort to protect my mental health.

The 2005 Topps set has a fun design.  Yes, there's a lot going on, but it's color-coded to the team (a huge plus for me) and I love the glittery gold big last name with a unique font (Colossalis Bold) emblazoned at the top of each card.  It's one of the few Topps sets that advertise its year on the front, so I got to update that from 2005 to 2025 for my Chachi set.  These cards are fun, and making custom baseball cards, especially after doing it for 20 years, and particularly as I work on Being Here Now, should be fun too.

The cards shown above are the first three cards I created for the set.  Cole Hamels had his first Topps flagship card in the 2005 Topps set, on a card shared with Ryan Howard, and he was a guest instructor this spring for the Phillies down in Clearwater.  Bob Dernier is my all-time favorite player, and creating his card gave me a chance to play with the colors of the intertwining borders for a retro Phillies card.  And I literally bumped in to Mickey Morandin between 18th and 19th Streets on Market Street in Center City Philadelphia on February 3rd.  The Phillies' equipment truck, bound for Florida, made stops at a few Citizens Bank locations prior to making the trek southward.  Morandini and Dickie Noles were handing out rally towels and autographs as I walked down Market Street to pick up my lunch that day.  I told Morandini I'd regret it later if I didn't stop and get a selfie, and he kindly obliged.

So here's to the 2005 Topps design, now the 2025 Chachi design, and here's to remembering simpler times that weren't as long ago as we think, and are hopefully closer to returning than we expect.

Spring Training Game 30 - Spring Schedule Concludes with Win

Tampa Bay Rays	6
Philadelphia Phillies	8

2023 Topps Allen & Ginter
Mini Only In . . . #OI-21

Spring Training Game 30

Monday Afternoon, March 24th

BayCare Ballpark - Clearwater, FL

Record - 15-13-2

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies wrapped up their 2025 exhibition schedule with an 8-6 win over the Rays, before heading north for the season opener in Washington on Thursday afternoon.

What It Means:  I listened to the entirety of this game during a nine-hour drive down to Myrtle Beach on Monday.  Our oldest son's high school baseball team is playing its spring training games at the Cal Ripken Experience down here, and I had no qualms about re-arranging my work schedule to make sure I didn't miss a pitch.  The Phillies' broadcast was looser than usual, which was a lot of fun to listen to, and the vibe of the entire game was, "Let's get this over with and get the season going."

What Happened:  It was a little concerning the team's fifth starter to begin the season, Taijuan Walker, didn't look crisp.  He allowed four runs on six hits and three walks in his four-inning outing.  The Phillies' offense banged out eight doubles in the game, from Kyle Schwarber, Rafael Marchan, Johan Rojas, Edmundo Sosa, Kody Clemens and a few other prospects joining the club for the day.

Featured Card:  I recently added this card to my collection, as I hadn't been aware of its existence until recently.  I can't wait to get back to the ballpark.

Camp Head Count:  30 - 4 = 26

None of these moves will be official until Thursday, but Ranger Suarez (lhp) and Weston Wilson (inf) will start the season on the injured list.  Andrew Painter (rhp) will be reassigned to the minor leages.  And Buddy Kennedy (inf) will be traded or designated for assignment.  Clemens beat out Kennedy for the final open roster spot, and Kennedy is out of minor league options.

Spring Training Game 29 - Exhibition Season is Rounding Third and Heading Home

Detroit Tigers	2
Philadelphia Phillies	4

2022 Topps
Kansas City Royals #KC-16

Spring Training Game 29

Saturday Afternoon, March 23rd

BayCare Ballpark - Clearwater, FL

Record - 14-13-2

One Sentence Summary:  Bryson Stott hit a two-run, inside-the-park home run and later singled another run home in this 4-2 win over the Tigers.

What It Means:  At this point, the goal is for everyone heading north to remain healthy.  There's just one more game to go, Monday afternoon.

What Happened:  Stott rounded the bases in the fifth after a scary collision involving Tigers' outfielders Max Clark and Justyn-Henry Malloy.  Brandon Marsh accounted for the fourth run of the game, singling home Stott in the seventh.  Aaron Nola pitched five innings in his final spring appearance, allowing a solo home run and striking out four.  Jose Alvarado continued his dominant spring, striking out the side in the seventh.

Featured Card:  Following the game, the Phillies announced they had claimed Carlos Hernandez off waivers from the Royals and Hernandez is expected to join the team's bullpen for opening day.  In five seasons with the Royals, Hernandez was 7-19 with a 4.95 ERA in 150 games and 256 1/3 innings pitched.  He had 226 strikeouts, 125 walks and four saves.  As is the case with most middle relievers, Hernandez's baseball card appearances are sparse, and his most recent non-minor league card can be found in the 2022 Topps Royals retail team set.

Camp Head Count:  31 - 2 + 1 = 30

Before the game, Michael Mercado (rhp) was optioned to Lehigh Valley.  After the game, Tyler Phillips (rhp) was designated for assignment to make room for Hernandez (rhp), claimed off waivers.  It was also announced that Ranger Suarez (lhp) would begin the season on the injured list, and that Matt Strahm (lhp) would not.

Spring Training Game 28 - Prospects Mount Incredible Comeback

Philadelphia Phillies	8
New York Yankees	7

2024 Choice Reading Fightin
Phils (2nd Edition) #5

Spring Training Game 28

Saturday Afternoon, March 22nd

George M. Steinbrenner Field - Tampa, FL

Record - 13-13-2

One Sentence Summary:  Trailing 7-0 in the top of the ninth inning, the Phillies sent 12 batters to the plate in this impressive come from behind victory over the Yankees.

What It Means:  Both teams had mostly prospects playing at the end of the game, but this was still an exciting win.

What Happened:  Down to their final at-bat, and getting shutout through eight innings by five Yankees pitchers, the Phillies plated eight runs on seven hits and one very big, three-run home run from Robert Moore.  Singles from Avery Owusu-Asiedu, Kody Clemens and Josh Breaux loaded the bases and Elio Prado walked to drive home the first run.  A Luis Verdugo double brought home two more runs and Felix Reyes reached on an error by third baseman Jorbit Vivas, scoring the fourth run of the inning.  Marcus Lee Sang made it a 7-5 game with an RBI double.  Moore then launched a home run to right, scoring Reyes and Sang and giving the Phillies an 8-7 lead.  I enjoyed listening to Scott Franzke call this inning on the radio.

Featured Card:  Moore came to the Phillies last year after spending two seasons in the Brewers' system.  He appeared in all three Reading team sets in 2024.

Camp Head Count:  37 - 6 = 31

As we inch closer to opening day, the Phillies continue to whittle down their line-up, with five more roster moves still needed to get down to 26.  Before this game, Cal Stevenson (of) and Kyle Tyler (rhp) were optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.  Christian Arroyo (inf), Josh Breaux (c), Nabil Crismatt (rhp) and Oscar Mercado (of) were all reassigned to minor league camp.  The final bench spot will go to either Kody Clemens or Buddy Kennedy.  Weston Wilson will start the season on the Injured List, and Tyler Phillips and Michael Mercado are likely only sticking around in case Matt Strahm and Ranger Suarez also start the season on the shelf.

Spring Training Games 26 & 27 - End of Exhibition Season in Sight

Minnesota Twins	3
Philadelphia Phillies	6

Spring Training Game 26

Friday Afternoon, March 21st

BayCare Ballpark - Clearwater, FL

Philadelphia Phillies	7
Toronto Blue Jays	11

2024 Choice Scranton/
Wilkes-Barre RailRiders #12

Spring Training Game 27

Friday Afternoon, March 21st

TD Ballpark - Dunedin, FL

Record - 12-13-2

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies split their squad for the second and final time this spring, winning at home but losing on the road.

What It Means:  There are just three more spring training games to go before the 2025 regular season begins for the Phillies on Thursday afternoon in Washington.

What Happened:  In Clearwater, Zack Wheeler got in his final tune-up, throwing five strong innings and allowing a run on three hits.  Wheeler struck out four.  The Phillies came from behind to win this game, scoring twice in the seventh inning to tie it up and four more times in the eighth inning to take the lead for good.  Josh Breaux doubled home Oscar Mercado to start the scoring in the seventh, and Alec Bohm then singled Breaux home.  Edmundo Sosa hit a two-run home run in the eighth, and Breaux came through again with a two-run single a few batters later.

In Dunedin, Joe Ross started the game with two scoreless innings, but then Jose Ruiz surrendered four runs in the third.  Nick Vespi was also hit hard, giving up three more runs in the fifth.  Kyle Schwarber, Payton Henry and Erick Brito all homered for the Phillies.

Featured Card:  Catchers tend to stick around the major league side of the spring camp longer than other position players, which is why Breaux and Henry are still around.  My guess is one of them ends up backing up Garrett Stubbs in Lehigh Valley.

Camp Head Count:  39 - 2 = 37

I need to adjust my count as I missed that the Phillies had reassigned Rafael Lantigua (inf) and Henry (c) to minor league camp back on March 16th.  I've migrated away from X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, and it's become harder to keep up with these minor happenings on Bluesky.

Spring Training Game 25 - Phils Lose Vibe Captain, Game

Philadelphia Phillies	0
Atlanta Braves	7

2023 Topps Update #US137

Spring Training Game 25

Thursday Afternoon, March 20th

CoolToday Park - North Port, FL

Record - 11-12-2

One Sentence Summary:  A seemingly lifeless Phillies team lost on the road to the Braves, managing just four hits in this 7-0 loss.

What It Means:  It was kind of an appropriate outcome, given the Phillies sent down their Vibe Captain, Garrett Stubbs, to the minor leagues before this game.  Stubbs has been the back-up catcher since 2022, and while he's been great defensively, he batted .204 in 2023 and .207 last season.  Rafael Marchan won the back-up catcher role, and after nine years in the Phillies' organization he'll make his first opening day roster.

What Happened:  It was a bullpen game for the Phillies, with non-roster invitee Nabil Crismatt getting the start and lasting three innings.  Crismatt gave up a run on three hits.  Kyle Tyler took the brunt of the punishment from the Braves, giving up five runs on four hits in 1 2/3 innings.  Johan Rojas and Cal Stevenson had doubles in the losing effort, and the overall the Phillies offense went 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position.

Also a bullpen game for the Braves, non-roster invitee and Phillies Room favorite Hector Neris got the start and pitched a scoreless inning.

Featured Card:  If this is the end of Stubbs' time on the big league roster, I can definitely see him transitioning into a coaching role, or even a broadcasting role.  For now, he'll head to Lehigh Valley where he'll work firsthand with some of the Phillies' top pitching prospects.

Camp Head Count:  40 - 1 = 39

Stubbs (c) was optioned to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

Spring Training Game 24 - Walker Struggles in Loss to Yankees

New York Yankees	9
Philadelphia Phillies	7

2024 Topps Update
All-Star Game #ASG-30

Spring Training Game 24

Wednesday Afternoon, March 19

BayCare Ballpark - Clearwater, FL

Record - 11-11-2

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies' comeback fell short against the Yankees, as they lost 9-7 in Clearwater.

What It Means:  The news of the day was that Ranger Suarez is dealing with a back ailment that could lead to him missing the start of the season.  With Suarez potentially out, Taijuan Walker could have found his way back in.  Unfortunately for Walker, who had looked decent in his prior three spring appearances, he got hit hard by the Yankees in this game.

What Happened:  Walker threw 83 pitches in 3 2/3 innings, allowing six runs on nine hits, including three home runs.  He walked a pair and struck out one.  I would think any experiment with Walker in the starting pitching rotation to start the season would be short-lived if he puts up those types of numbers in a real game.  Brandon Marsh went 2 for 2 with a two-run home run in the seventh.

Featured Card:  Here's hoping Suarez and his back get well soon.

Camp Head Count:  41 - 1 = 40

Prior to the game, Devin Sweet (rhp) was optioned to the IronPigs.

Spring Training Game 23 - Phils Lose, but Sanchez, Casty Look Strong

Philadelphia Phillies	2
Pittsburgh Pirates	3

2022 Topps Heritage 1973 Topps
Candy Lids #HN12

Spring Training Game 23

Tuesday Afternoon, March 18

LECOM Park - Bradenton, FL

Record - 11-10-2

One Sentence Summary:  Nick Castellanos hit a home run and Crisotpher Sanchez pitched five scoreless innings, but the Phillies' bullpen faltered late in this 3-2 loss to the Pirates.

What It Means:  This game had a typical spring road game line-up, and definitely not the usual back-end of the bullpen relievers closing it out.

What Happened:  Spring training statistics mean nothing, but Castellanos has to feel good after his two hit day, which raised his spring average to .167.  He hit a solo home run in the first and added an RBI-single int he sixth to score Carson DeMartini.  Sanchez allowed four hits and struck out a pair in his outing, with Jose Alvarado and Orion Kerkering shutting down the Pirates for 2 1/3 innings.  Kerkering struck out three.  The bullpen duo of Devin Sweet and Josh Hejka gave up the 2-0 lead in the ninth.  Sweet  gave up a single, double and two straight sacrifice flies to allow the Pirates to tie the game.  Hejka then allowed a walk-off home run to Javier Rivas to give the Pirates the win.

Featured Card:  Here's an oddball insert card of Castellanos I recently added, from the 2022 Topps Heritage set.  I'm hoping for big things from the slugger this season.

Camp Head Count:  41