Game 107 - Luzardo Battles, Schwarber Homers in Win Over Chisox

Philadelphia Phillies	6
Chicago White Sox	3

2025 Philadelphia Phillies
Kids Club/Club 215

Tuesday Night, July 29th

Rate Field - Chicago, IL
61-46, 2nd Place, 1/2 game behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Jesus Luzardo didn't have his best stuff, but he still pitched seven scoreless innings in this 6-3 win over the White Sox.

What It Means:  The Phillies will attempt a series win over the surging Sox with Taijuan Walker on the mound Wednesday afternoon.

What Happened:  Luzardo allowed two hits and struck out four in his 90-pitch outing.  This game was never really close until Phillies reliever Daniel Robert gave up three ninth inning runs.  The Phillies scored their first two runs in the second inning on sacrifice flies from Max Kepler and Otto Kemp.  In the third, Kyle Schwarber hit a two-run home run, his 37th of the season, and Brandon Marsh followed a few batters later with a two-run home run of his own.

Featured Card:  Why not another Schwarber card?  The slugger is a free agent at the end of the season, and I'm hoping Phillies' ownership backs up the money truck to re-sign him.

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Game 106 - Sox Stymie Sanchez, Phils

Philadelphia Phillies	2
Chicago White Sox	6

1981 TCMA
Oklahoma City 89ers #17

Monday Night, July 28th

Rate Field - Chicago, IL
60-46, 2nd Place, 1 1/2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Cristopher Sanchez stumbled through a rare bad outing and the Phillies offense couldn't figure out White Sox pitching in this 6-2 defeat.

What It Means:  The Mets fell to the Padres, so the deficit in the pennant race remained at 1 1/2 games.

What Happened:  Sanchez battled through 6 2/3 innings, but allowed four runs on seven hits.  The two big blows were a two-run home run from Colson Montgomery in the second to tie the score and a two-run home run from Luis Robert Jr. in the fourth to give the Sox the lead for good.  Seth Johnson surrendered two more runs in the eighth, putting the game out of reach.  Bryce Harper accounted for both Phillies runs with a two-run double in the top of the third.

Featured Card:  I was saddened to learn during the game Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg had passed away after a battle with cancer.  Sandberg played in 13 games for the Phillies in 1981, batting .167 (1 for 6) before an ill-advised deal sent him to the Cubs with Larry Bowa, as a throw-in no less, for Ivan DeJesus.  He'd return to the Phillies organization in 2011 as manager of the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, and in 2013 was promoted to the role of bench coach under Charlie Manuel.  Manuel was let go in August 2013 and replaced by Sandberg, who managed the team for 278 games between August 2013 and June 2015.  He was 119-159 while leading the Phillies during their early rebuilding years.

I didn't have the chance to appreciate Sandberg as a Phillies player and his tenure as Phillies manager was hampered by bad teams on the field, but I can appreciate what he meant to baseball and especially Cubs fans.

For a few years in the early 1980s, this was by far the most "valuable" card in my collection.  We had purchased a 1981 TCMA Oklahoma City 89ers team set from the Card Doctor in Millville, New Jersey, as my favorite player, Bob Dernier, was in the set.  Unbeknownst to us at the time, Sandberg was also in the set and he'd go on to have a Hall of Fame career with the Cubs.

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Philadelphia Phillies at Chicago White Sox - A.L. Swing Continues

2005 Topps #25

2005 Topps #606

Monday, July 28th - 7:40
Tuesday, July 29th - 7:40
Wednesday, July 30th - 2:10

Rate Field - Chicago, IL
Monday is Christmas in July at the ballpark and holders of a special theme ticket will receive an Aaron Rowand Christmas Vacation-themed bobblehead.  Tuesday is Seinfeld Night, and again a special themed ticket is available, this time for a Robin Ventura Seinfeld-themed bobblehead.

Philadelphia Phillies 60-45
2nd Place in the N.L. East, 1 game behind the Mets

Phillies Probables
Cristopher Sanchez (9-2, 2.40)
Jesus Luzardo (8-5, 4.58)
Taijuan Walker (3-5, 3.84)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Trea Turner - .293
Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 75
Home Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 36
RBIs:  Kyle Schwarber - 84
Stolen Bases:  Trea Turner - 25

Wins:  Cristopher Sanchez and Zack Wheeler - 9
ERA:  Cristopher Sanchez - 2.40
Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 172
Saves:  Jordan Romano - 8

Chicago White Sox 38-68
5th Place in the A.L, Central, 22 1/2 games behind the Tigers

White Sox Probables
Davis Martin (2-8, 3.89)
Jonathan Cannon (4-7, 4.48)
Adrian Houser (6-2, 2.10)

White Sox Leaders
Average:  Lenyn Sosa - .264
Runs:  Miguel Vargas - 54
Home Runs:  Andrew Beninitendi - 13
RBIs:  Andrew Beninitendi - 42
Stolen Bases:  Luis Robert - 26

Wins:  Adrian Houser - 6
ERA:  N/A

Strikeouts:  Sean Burke - 93
Saves:  Grant Taylor - 3

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Game 105 - Wheeler, Phils Fall Flat in Bronx Finale

Philadelphia Phillies	3
New York Yankees	4

1992 Philadelphia Phillies
ALS Autograph Party

Sunday Afternoon, July 27th

Yankee Stadium - New York, NY
60-45, 2nd Place, 1 game behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Zack Wheeler had an uncharacteristically bad second inning, and Otto Kemp's two home runs weren't enough, as the Yankees defeated the Phillies, 4-3.

What It Means:  The Phillies still won the series, and they'll head to Chicago next to take on the last place, but playing well of late, White Sox.

What Happened:  All of Wheeler's problems came in the second inning.  The sequence went as follows - Giancarlo Stanton single, Jazz Chisolm and Jason Dominguez both hit by pitches, Ryan McMahon two-run double, Anthony Volpe strikeout, Austin Wells sacrifice fly and Trent Grisham single.  Wheeler recovered to pitch 5 2/3 innings, striking out eight.  

The Phillies offensive output all came via solo home runs.  Nick Castellanos and Kemp both hit home runs in the top of the second.  Kemp hit his second home run in the fifth for his first multi-home run game.

Featured Card:  In Cooperstown, Dick Allen was finally inducted into the Hall of Fame, an honor that was very much overdue.  Allen and Dave Parker were enshrined posthumously.  Joining them in the Class of 2025 were Billy Wagner, C.C. Sabathia and Ichiro Suzuki.  Allen's Hall of Fame plaque features the interesting combination of his 1970s look along with a 1960s Phillies hat logo.  I'm not sure if that was at the request of the Allen family, or if there's a quality control issue at the Hall of Fame.  I'm hoping it's the former, but once you see it, it's hard not to notice it.

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Game 104 - Suarez Settles Down, Handles Yanks in Win

Philadelphia Phillies	9
New York Yankees	4

2024 Topps Chrome Update
All-Star Game #ASGC-30

Saturday Afternoon, July 26th

Yankee Stadium - New York, NY
60-44, 2nd Place, 1/2 game behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Ranger Suarez settled in to handcuff the Yankees for nearly six innings and the Phillies got a few timely hits when needed in this 9-4 win.

What It Means:  They would go for the series sweep on Sunday afternoon behind Zack Wheeler.  The Mets keep winning too, maintaining a half game lead in the East.

What Happened:  Suarez scattered seven hits over 5 2/3 innings, allowing a run and striking out eight.  The Phillies offense took the lead early and didn't look back.  J.T. Realmuto singled home Trea Turner with the game's first run in the first.  Bryce Harper hit a solo home run, his 15th of the season, in the third.  Two more runs scored in the fourth, Turner added an RBI-double in the sixth, and four runs crossed the plate in the seventh, on a two-run home run from Edmundo Sosa and a two-run double from Kyle Schwarber.  Shockingly, the Phillies were 3 for 19 with runners in scoring position.

Featured Card:  Here's a card from last year's Topps Chrome Update set, marking Suarez's selection to the National League All-Stars.

Transaction:  In a minor move, the Phillies acquired Brewer Hicklen (of) from the Detroit Tigers for cash.  To make room on the 40-man roster for Hicklen, Ryan Cusick (rhp) was designated for assignment.

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Game 103 - Phils Win After Power Surge in the Bronx

Philadelphia Phillies	12
New York Yankees	5

2025 Topps Now #462

Friday Night, July 25th

Yankee Stadium - New York, NY
59-44, 2nd Place, 1/2 game behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  What had been a tight back-and-forth game turned into a laugher for the Phillies in the later innings, thanks in part to multiple Schwarbombs.

What It Means:  The Mets also won, so the Phillies remain a half game behind them in the division.

What Happened:  The Phillies trailed 3-2 heading to the seventh inning.  Taijuan Walker had a decent performance, allowing three solo home runs in 5 2/3 innings of work.  Kyle Schwarber connected for a two-run home run in the fifth, his 1,000th big league hit.  Nick Castellanos tied the score in the top of the seventh, on an infield hit, that should have been ruled a fielder's choice and an error.  J.T. Realmuto gave the Phillies the lead for good with a three-run home run, his seventh of the season.  Jordan Romano allowed a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh, but then the Phillies piled on six more unanswered runs to seal the victory.

Schwarber hit an absolute laser for a two-run home run in the eighth, his 36th of the year.  Before it was over, Edmundo Sosa added an RBI-single, Bryson Stott, hopefully busting out from his slump, had a two-run double, and Trea Turner brought Stott home with a triple.

Featured Card:  As expected, Topps issued a Topps Now card for Schwarber's home run and 1,000th career hit.

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Philadelphia Phillies at New York Yankees - Phils Head to the Bronx

2005 Topps Update #UH63

2005 Topps #98

Friday, July 25th - 7:05
Saturday, July 26th - 1:05
Sunday, July 27th - 1:35

Yankee Stadium - New York, NY
Tonight, the first 18,000 fans will receive a sliding Anthony Volpe bobblehead.

Philadelphia Phillies 58-44
2nd Place in the N.L. East, 1/2 game behind the Mets

Phillies Probables
Taijuan Walker (3-5, 3.75)
Ranger Suarez (7-4, 2.66)
Zack Wheeler (9-3, 2.39)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Trea Turner - .290
Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 72
Home Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 34
RBIs:  Kyle Schwarber - 78
Stolen Bases:  Trea Turner - 25

Wins:  Cristopher Sanchez and Zack Wheeler - 9
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 2.39
Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 164
Saves:  Jordan Romano - 8

New York Yankees 56-46
2nd Place in the A.L. East, 4 1/2 games behind the Blue Jays

Yankees Probables
Will Warren (6-5, 4.91)
Marcus Stroman (2-1, 5.64)
Carlos Rodon (10-7, 3.10)

Yankees Leaders
Average:  Aaron Judge - .345
Runs:  Aaron Judge - 90
Home Runs:  Aaron Judge - 37
RBIs:  Aaron Judge - 84
Stolen Bases:  Jasson Dominguez - 14

Wins:  Max Fried - 11
ERA:  Max Fried - 2.62

Strikeouts:  Carlos Rodon - 139
Saves:  Devin Williams - 15

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Game 102 - Luzardo Implodes, Phils Lose in Extras

Boston Red Sox	9
Philadelphia Phillies	8

11 Innings

2025 Topps Now #459

Wednesday Night, July 23rd

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
58-44, 2nd Place, 1/2 game behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Jesus Luzardo suffered a nightmare fifth inning and the Phillies couldn't come through in extra innings in this 9-8 loss to the Red Sox.

What It Means:  This loss, coupled with a Mets win, dropped the Phillies into second place.  Following an off-day on Thursday, they'll begin a weekend series in the Bronx on Friday night.

What Happened:  All was well with the world until the top of the fifth inning.  Luzardo was cruising, throwing a no-hitter through four innings.  The Phillies held a 4-0 lead following home runs from Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, Nick Castellanos and Bryson Stott.  In the top of the fifth, Masataka Yoshida doubled and Luzardo issued four walks, the last two with the bases loaded.  With two outs, Romy Gonzalez hit a grand slam to give the Red Sox a 6-5 lead.  The Phillies tied it back up in the eighth on a J.T. Realmuto solo home run.

After some back and forth in the 10th and 11th, the Red Sox ultimately prevailed, scoring the winning run in the 11th off reliever Seth Johnson.

Featured Card:  Harper's blast was the 350th of his career, and Topps issued a Topps Now card to commemorate the feat.

Field Report:  I was there for a work-related function, taking in the first part of the game from the sun-soaked Section 206.  As has been my routine the last few seasons, I first checked "us" in at the Kids Club kiosk in Ashburn Alley, needing three more cards to complete this year's 19-card team set.  Matt Strahm was secured, but then I was told they were out of Orion Kerkering and an Edmundo Sosa card was never produced.  

In the grand scheme of things, this isn't exactly end of the world news, but I was still fairly bummed.  I took a picture of the cards being offered on opening day, showing both the Kerkerking and Sosa cards.  The Phillies employee working the stand told me cards were likely not going to be re-run, and "Did I have a Kepler yet?"  I'm not sure if that question was meant to be helpful or a mild taunt.  In any event, my 2025 Phillies Club/Club 215 team set will remain two cards short from completion unless eBay or some kind soul has an extra Kerkering and Sosa card lying around.  (I'll trade my now extra Harper for either or both.)

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Game 101 - Sanchez Dominates Sox

Boston Red Sox	1
Philadelphia Phillies	4

2025 Topps
Philadelphia Phillies #PHI-4

Tuesday Night, July 22nd

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
58-43, 1st Place, 1/2 game ahead of the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Cristopher Sanchez was masterful, challenging Zack Wheeler's title of ace of the staff, in this complete game, four-hit win over the Red Sox.

What It Means:  The Phillies would go for a series sweep on Wednesday night.

What Happened:  Sanchez needed 106 pitches to defeat the Red Sox, walking none and striking out 12 in his dominant performance.  Statistically, the win put Sanchez a tick ahead of Wheeler with a 5.1 bWAR to Wheeler's 5.0.  It was the first complete game for Sanchez in 2025, and his third overall.  It seems as if he should have been an All-Star in Atlanta.

The Phillies scored all their runs early with two in the first and two in the second.  Nick Castellanos singled home Trea Turner with the first run and Bryce Harper had home plate stolen before yet another catcher's inference, combined with a balk, gave the Phillies their second run.  In the second, Max Kepler (11) and Kyle Schwarber (33) both hit solo home runs.

Featured Card:  It's got to be Sanchez.  Here's his card from the Topps Phillies retail team set, and I'm quickly running out of Sanchez cards to feature in these game summary posts.

Transaction:  Joe Ross (rhp) was placed on the 15-day injured list with back spasms and Alan Rangel (rhp) was recalled to take his place.

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Game 100 - Phils Walk It Off on Catcher's Interference

Boston Red Sox	2
Philadelphia Phillies	3

10 Innings

2020 Topps Pro Debut #PH-128

Monday Night, July 21st

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
57-43, 1st Place, 1/2 game ahead of the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  For the first time since 1971, a game ended with a walk-off catcher's interference call, giving the Phillies a 3-2 win in 10 innings.

What It Means:  Wild stuff.  The Phillies scored the winning run in the 10th inning without the benefit of a hit.  I'm anxious to see if Topps picks up on the oddity and issues a Topps Now card to mark the win.  (They did not.)

What Happened:  The game was tied 2-2 heading to the 10th.  Max Lazar pitched a brilliant top of the 10th inning to keep the Sox from scoring.  With Jordan Hicks on the mound in the bottom of the 10th, and Brandon Marsh at second as the ghost runner, Otto Kemp led off with a four-pitch walk.  A wild pitch put runners at second and third and Hicks intentionally walked the struggling Max Kepler.  With the bases loaded and a 1-2 count, Edmundo Sosa checked his swing, hitting catcher Carlos Narvaez's mitt.  After a brief replay, catcher's interference was called and Marsh came home with the winning run.

The Phillies had scored twice in the fourth on RBI singles from Nick Castellanos and J.T. Realmuto.  Zack Wheeler gave up a pair of runs over six innings, striking out 10.

Featured Card:  Lazar has been quietly good lately, emerging as a reliever used more frequently in high leverage situations.  Collectors are still waiting for the lanky righty to appear on a Phillies baseball card.

Transaction:  The Phillies officially signed David Robertson (rhp) and optioned him to Lehigh Valley.  He'll warm up with the IronPigs before joining the big club for his third stint.

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Game 99 - Suarez Shelled by Halos in Loss

Los Angeles Angels	8
Philadelphia Phillies	2

1941 Play Ball #60

Sunday Afternoon, July 20th

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
56-43, 1st Place, 1/2 game ahead of the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Ranger Suarez was hit early and often and the Phillies couldn't get their bats going in this 8-2 loss.

What It Means:  We listened to the entirety of this game on the Sunday afternoon drive from Rhode Island back down to New Jersey.  It was not very entertaining.

What Happened:  Maybe it was the rain delay that pushed this game back by 41 minutes, but Suarez was off from the start, and he'd not make it through five innings.  He allowed six runs on eight hits and four walks, as the Angels seemed to always have runners on base.  The only offense from the Phillies was an RBI single from Rafael Marchan in the second and a solo home run from Otto Kemp in the sixth.

Featured Card:  The Phillies would announce on Monday the signing of veteran reliever David Robertson for the rest of the 2025 season.  Robertson will become just the third player with three separate stints with the club, joining Hall of Famer Chuck Klein (1928-33, 1936-39, 1940-44) and Bill Hallman  (1888-89, 1892-97, 1901-03).  That's pretty incredible.  Hallman doesn't appear on any Phillies cards, but here's one of 32 Klein cards from my Phillies collection.

Transaction:  Alec Bohm (3b) landed on the 10-day injured list with a left rib fracture and Weston Wilson (inf) was recalled to take his place.

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Game 98 - Schwarber's Slam Send Phils to Victory

Los Angeles Angels	5
Philadelphia Phillies	9

2025 Topps Now #440

Saturday Night, July 19th

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
56-42, 1st Place, 1 1/2 games ahead of the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Kyle Schwarber's sixth inning grand slam gave the Phillies the lead for good, as they defeated the Angels, 9-5.

What It Means:  This win tied the series, and the Phillies hoped for a series win on Sunday behind Ranger Suarez.

What Happened:  Taijuan Walker got the start, going four innings and allowing three runs on a pair of home runs and nine hits overall.  Trailing 4-2 heading to the bottom of the sixth, Johan Rojas knocked in the team's third run with a sacrifice fly.  With the bases loaded, Schwarber launched his 32nd home run of the season to right center field, giving the Phillies a 7-4 lead.  Bryce Harper stayed hot, adding a two-run home run in the eighth.  Seth Johnson was the pitcher of record when Schwarber hit his slam, earning his first big league win.

Featured Card:  Here's Schwarber's Topps Now card issued to celebrate his big blast.

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Game 97 - Homers from Harper and Schwarber Not Enough

Los Angeles Angels	6
Philadelphia Phillies	5

2025 Topps
Stars of MLB #SMLB-3

Friday Night, July 18th

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
55-42, 1st Place, 1/2 game ahead of the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Home runs from Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber weren't enough to hold off the Angels, as the Phillies dropped the first game of the second half, 6-5.

What It Means:  An impromptu trip to Rhode Island this past weekend to watch our oldest son guest for a travel baseball team meant I listened to this entire Angels series from the car or our hotel room.  Other than the home runs provided by Harper and Schwarber this weekend, it would seem I didn't miss much.

What Happened:  The Phillies led this game 4-1 after three innings, thanks to a solo home run from Schwarber in the first and a three-run home run by Harper in the third.  Jesus Luzardo couldn't keep the Angels off the board, allowing four runs on seven hits and a pair of walks in 4 2/3 innings.  It could have been a lot worse, but Max Lazar got out of a bases loaded jam in the fifth.

Tanner Banks took the loss, as the usually reliable reliever gave up a two-run home run to Taylor Ward in the seventh.  Harper homered for a second time in the eighth, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.

Featured Card:  I'll give Harper the card anyway, as he's been red hot recently, and I hope his power surge continues.  This is fairly nondescript (and probably unneeded) insert from Topps Series Two.

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Boston Red Sox at Philadelphia Phillies - Phils Look to Rebound

2005 Topps #271

2005 Topps #288

Monday, July 21st - 6:45
Tuesday, July 22nd - 6:45
Wednesday, July 23rd - 7:05

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
Tuesday is Y2K Retro Night at the ballpark, followed by a Nelly postgame concert.  The Phillies celebrate Christmas in July on Wednesday with a toy drive going on at each of the entrance gates.

Boston Red Sox 54-47
3rd Place in the A.L. East, 5 games behind the Blue Jays

Red Sox Probables
Walker Buehler (6-6, 6.12)
Richard Fitts (1-3, 4.28)
Lucas Giolito (6-2, 3.59)

Red Sox Leaders
Average:  Ceddanne Rafaela - .267
Runs:  Ceddanne Rafaela - 56
Home Runs:  Wilyer Abreu - 20
RBIs:  Trevor Story - 58
Stolen Bases:  Jarren Duran and Trevor Story - 16

Wins:  Garrett Crochet - 11
ERA:  Garrett Crochet - 2.19

Strikeouts:  Garrett Crochet - 165
Saves:  Aroldis Chapman - 17

Philadelphia Phillies 56-43
1st Place in the N.L. East, 1/2 game ahead of the Mets

Phillies Probables
Zack Wheeler (9-3, 2.36)
Cristopher Sanchez (8-2, 2.50)
Jesus Luzardo (8-5, 4.29)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Trea Turner - .288
Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 70
Home Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 32
RBIs:  Kyle Schwarber - 74
Stolen Bases:  Trea Turner - 25

Wins:  Zack Wheeler - 9
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 2.36
Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 154
Saves:  Jordan Romano - 8

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Los Angeles Angels at Philadelphia Phillies - Second Half Begins

2005 Topps #573

2025 Chachi 2005 Topps Missing Links #1

Friday, July 18th - 6:45
Saturday, July 19th - 6:05
Sunday, July 20th - 1:35

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
All fans will receive a J.T. Realmuto bobblehead tonight, featuring the catcher wearing the team's City Connect uniform.  There's also a pregame ceremony tonight called Philadelphia's 2026 All-Star Declaration, kicking off a year-long celebration of the All-Star Game coming to Philadelphia next summer.  On Saturday, all kids will receive a Brandon Marsh Phillies basketball jersey.

Los Angeles Angels 47-49
4th Place in the A.L. West, 9 games behind the Astros

Angels Probables
Jose Soriano (6-7, 3.90)
TBD
TBD

Angels Leaders
Average:  Zach Nieto - .279
Runs:  Zach Nieto - 61
Home Runs:  Taylor Ward - 21
RBIs:  Taylor Ward - 65
Stolen Bases:  Zach Nieto - 17

Wins:  Jose Soriano - 6
ERA:  Yusei Kikuchi - 3.11

Strikeouts:  Yusei Kikuchi - 115
Saves:  Kenley Jansen - 16

Philadelphia Phillies 55-41
1st Place in the N.L. East, 1/2 game ahead of the Mets

Phillies Probables
Jesus Luzardo (8-5, 4.14)
Taijuan Walker (3-5, 3.55)
Ranger Suarez (7-3, 2.15)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Trea Turner - .289
Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 66
Home Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 30
RBIs:  Kyle Schwarber - 69
Stolen Bases:  Trea Turner - 24

Wins:  Zack Wheeler - 9
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 2.36
Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 154
Saves:  Jordan Romano - 8

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Schwarbombs x 3 Win All-Star Game, Slugger Named MVP

2025 Chachi #43

2025 Chachi #44

2025 Chachi #45

American League All-Stars	7
National League All-Stars	6

10 Innings

Tuesday Night, July 15th

Truist Park - Atlanta, GA

One Sentence Summary:  Kyle Schwarber made All-Star Game history, breaking a 6-6 tie with three straight home runs in a 10th inning, home run derby as the National League defeated the American League.

What It Means:  Pretty incredible stuff.  After the debacle of the 2002 All-Star Game, in which the game confusingly ended in a tie after 11 innings, Major League Baseball decided to go to a home run derby tournament should any All-Star Game thereafter end in a tie.  To decide the winner of the 2025 contest, three batters from each side were chosen, with Schwarber launching three home runs on three pitchers off Dodgers' third base coach Dino Ebel.  Schwarber was named the game's MVP, the first Phillies All-Star Game MVP since Johnny Callison won the award in 1964.

What Happened:  The players went back to wearing their normal uniforms!  That was by far the highlight for me, as the on-field, in-game player interviews don't really do it for me.  As I'm now so very, very old, I would love to just watch the game with some commentary on each of the All-Stars.  Schwarber entered the game in the bottom of the fifth, pinch-hitting for Shohei Ohtani.  He flew out to center off Rays' pitcher Dennis Rasmussen.  He walked against former Phillie Carlos Estevez in the seventh, and lined out as the potential winning run in the bottom of the ninth against Aroldis Chapman.

Full disclosure, I watched less of this All-Star Game than any prior All-Star Game over the past 30+ years.  Part of my lack of interest was due to there only being one Phillies player in the game, but I've also definitely reached the stage of my baseball fandom where I don't know who half these guys are.

Featured Cards:  I made All-Star cards for Zack Wheeler, who opted to stay home, and Schwarber.  I also wanted to create a Season Highlight card to commemorate Schwarber's MVP honors.

2025 Chachi Draft Pick #1

Transaction:  On Sunday night, the Phillies drafted Gage Wood (rhp) as their first pick and the 26th pick overall in the 2025 MLB Draft.  Wood is from the University of Arkansas and he's the first college pitcher selected in the first round by the Phillies since they drafted Aaron Nola in 2014.  Less than a month prior, Wood threw a no-hitter in the College World Series against Murray State, striking out 19 in the process.  There's a solid chance Wood is pitching in Philadelphia at some point this season.

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2025 Chachi #42 Budy Kennedy / 2025 Chachi #46

Game 96 - First Half Ends with Win

Philadelphia Phillies	2
San Diego Padres	1

2025 Topps #625

Sunday Afternoon, July 13th

Petco Park - San Diego, CA
55-41, 1st Place, 1/2 game ahead of the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Snubbed All-Star Cristopher Sanchez turned in an All-Star performance and J.T. Realmuto cracked a go-ahead double in the eighth inning, to give the Phillies this 2-1 win.

What It Means:  That's a wrap on the first half, and after the All-Star break, the Phillies return home on Friday for a weekend series against the Angels.  The Phillies hold a half game lead over the Mets for first place in the division.

What Happened:  Sanchez improved to 8-2, allowing a run on six hits over 7 1/3 innings, while striking out six.  His ERA fell to 2.50, and he's one of the best pitchers in the National League right now.  Nick Pivetta kept the Phillies off balance through most of the game, allowing just a first inning unearned run.  In the eighth, with the score tied 1-1, Bryce Harper doubled and then Realmuto doubled him home for the eventual winning run.  Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm weren't clean in their relief outings.  Strahm worked out of trouble in the ninth to record his sixth save.

Featured Card:  Sanchez had another impressive outing, but it was Realmuto's clutch double that ultimately won the game.  Here's his card from the recently released Topps Series Two.

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Game 95 - Phils Continue Slog Towards All-Star Break

Philadelphia Phillies	4
San Diego Padres	5

1983 Topps #397

Saturday Night, July 12th

Petco Park - San Diego, CA
54-41, 2nd Place, 1/2 game behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Zack Wheeler had a rare spotty outing and the Phillies offense went 3 for 13 with runners in scoring position in this 5-4 loss to the Padres.

What It Means:  The Phillies fell into second place with this loss, with one more game to play this afternoon before the All-Star Break.  They've lost four of their last five.  I did manage to watch most of this game, despite the Fox broadcasters, but I admittedly turned the game off once Jordan Romano entered in the seventh.  I made the right call.

What Happened:  Wheeler gave up a pair of home runs and four runs overall in his six innings of work before yielding to the bullpen.  Tanner Banks gave up back-to-back singles in the seventh before Romano took over with the game tied at 4-4.  Romano needed two pitches to give the Padres the lead when Manny Machado hit a sacrifice fly to right.  Nick Castellanos (single) and J.T. Realmuto (double) drove in a pair of runs in the second, and Edmundo Sosa added a two-run single in the fifth.  Sosa was in the game to replace Alec Bohm, who departed after being drilled in the back by a Yu Darvish fastball.

Featured Card:  I used to get absolutely giddy as the All-Star Game approached, and it makes me sad that I'm heading into this coming All-Star break with an overall sense of apathy.  Kyle Schwarber will be in Atlanta, while Zack Wheeler will be resting at home.  Ranger Suarez, Cristopher Sanchez and Trea Turner were all snubbed, although Sanchez wouldn't have pitched in the game anyway as he's starting today.  I wish I could get half as excited about the game as I did back in the 1980s.

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Game 94 - Bats, Blog Proprietor Snooze Through West Coast Game

Philadelphia Phillies	2
San Diego Padres	4

2025 Topps 1990 Topps
35th Anniversary #T90-31

Late Friday Night, July 11th

Petco Park - San Diego, CA
54-40, 1st Place, 1/2 game ahead of the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies offense couldn't solve the Padres pitching and Ranger Suarez contributed a rare error in this 4-2 series opening loss.

What It Means:  Still a little jet lagged after returning from a European vacation this week, I was sound asleep a half hour before this game even began.  It will be nice to watch a few Phillies wins this weekend before the All-Star Break.

What Happened:  Two unearned runs scored in the bottom of the second following Suarez's errant throw to first base.  He settled in after that, pitching 6 2/3 innings and lowering his ERA for the season to 1.94.  Nick Castellanos (12) and Kyle Schwarber (30) both hit solo home runs, with the rest of the Phillies offense managing only three singles.

Featured Card:  Schwarber will be the only Phillies All-Star in Atlanta.  Zack Wheeler, named to the  team last week, declined his invitation, opting to use the time to rest.  Ranger Suarez was also asked to go as a replacement player, but he too declined.  And the deserving Cristopher Sanchez should have been asked, but since he's pitching on Sunday, he'd be ineligible for the game anyway.

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Philadelphia Phillies at San Diego Padres - Wrapping Up 1st Half

2025 Chachi 2005 Topps Missing Links #5

2005 Topps #392

Friday, July 11th - 9:40
Saturday, July 12th - 7:35
Sunday, July 13th - 4:10

Petco Park - San Diego, CA
There are theme tickets available for each of these three games, but otherwise no park-wide giveaways or promotions.

Philadelphia Phillies 54-39
1st Place in the N.L. East, 1 1/2 games ahead of the Mets

Phillies Probables
Ranger Suarez (7-2, 1.99)
Zack Wheeler (9-3, 2.17)
Cristopher Sanchez (7-2, 2.59)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Trea Turner - .294
Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 65
Home Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 29
RBIs:  Kyle Schwarber - 68
Stolen Bases:  Trea Turner - 24

Wins:  Zack Wheeler - 9
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 2.17
Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 148
Saves:  Jordan Romano - 8

San Diego Padres 50-43
3rd Place in the N.L. West, 5 1/2 games behind the Dodgers

Padres Probables
Ryan Bergert (1-0, 2.67)
Yu Darvish (0-1, 4.91)
Nick Pivetta (9-2, 3.07)

Padres Leaders
Average:  Manny Machado - .291
Runs:  Fernando Tatis - 64
Home Runs:  Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis - 16
RBIs:  Manny Machado - 54
Stolen Bases:  Fernando Tatis - 19

Wins:  Nick Pivetta - 9
ERA:  Nick Pivetta - 3.07

Strikeouts:  Dylan Cease - 129
Saves:  Robert Suarez - 27

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Game 93 - Phils Explode in Series Finale

Philadelphia Phillies	13
San Francisco Giants	0

2025 Philadelphia Phillies
Kids Club/Club 215

Wednesday Afternoon, July 9th

Oracle Park - San Francisco, CA
54-39, 1st Place, 1/2 game ahead of the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies' bats finally awakened in San Francisco, unloading on Giants' pitching in this 13-0 win.

What It Means:  They avoided the series sweep and retook sole possession of first place as the Mets loss.  Following a three-game series in San Diego, beginning late on Friday night, the team will scatter for the All-Star Break, with Zack Wheeler and Kyle Schwarber heading to Atlanta.

What Happened:  This game was closer than the final score would indicate through the first six innings.  With Jesus Luzardo mowing down the Giants, the Phillies held a 4-0 lead heading to the top of the eighth inning.  They'd bat around that inning, scoring eight times, and putting the game out of reach.  Two more runs scored in the ninth off position player Mike Yastrzemski.  Every batter in the starting nine drove in at least one run, with Bryce Harper (see below), J.T. Realmuto (3 for 5, double, 2 RBIs) and Schwarber (three-run home run) having the biggest days at the plate.

Luzardo pitched seven shutout innings, allowing three hits and striking out seven.  Seth Johnson and Joe Ross pitched the final two scoreless innings for the combined shutout.

Featured Card:  For the first time in his career, Harper had four extra base hits in a game.  The slugger was 4 for 6 with three doubles and a solo home run off Justin Verlander in the fourth inning.  Here's his Kids Club card available this season exclusively at the ballpark.

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