NLWCS Game 3 - Phils End '26 Season with a Whimper

 

Philadelphia Phillies	2
Atlanta Braves	6

Thursday Night, October 1st

Truist Park - Atlanta, GA
Braves win series, 2-1

One Sentence Summary:  Aaron Nola allowed a first inning, three-run home run and the Phillies offense once again fell flat in this season-ending, and perhaps era-ending, 6-2 loss to the Braves.

What It Means:   I was anxious about this game all day, and I quickly accepted the season was likely over as the home run ball from Michael Harris II was leaving the ballpark.  Of course Nola gave up a home run in the first inning, he's done that all year.  Of course the offense would go quiet again on a night they couldn't afford to go quiet.  Of course interim manager Don Mattingly would make questionable decisions (Nola starting instead of Zack Wheeler) in what is likely his last game at the helm.  So as the game proceeded, I cycled through the seven stages of grief and I'll likely cycle through them again over the long winter offseason.

What Happened/Featured Card:  Nola couldn't find the plate in the first inning, recording a quick first out, but then walking the next two batters on 10 pitches.  Harris had a 2-0 count when he hit his home run, and they could have pretty much called the game at that point.  Nola was pulled after 1 2/3 innings, and Wheeler entered from the bullpen in the third.  Wheeler game up two runs of his own in the fourth, walking Austin Riley and then giving up a two-run home run to Ozzie Albies.  Jonathan Bowlan gave up a meaningless run in the seventh.

The Phillies pushed across runs in the sixth and eighth innings on an Alec Bohm RBI ground out, and a Trea Turner sacrifice fly, scoring Derek Hill who had reached on a triple.  Otto Kemp, demoted to the IronPigs back in May, was called upon to pinch-hit in the ninth and struck out against Chris Sale for the final out of the ballgame, the Phillies season, and perhaps this era of Phillies baseball.

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NLWCS Game 2 - Phils Somehow Pull Off Incredible Game 2 Win

 

Philadelphia Phillies	4
Atlanta Braves	3

10 Innings

Wednesday Afternoon, September 30th

Truist Park - Atlanta, GA
Series tied, 1-1

One Sentence Summary:  In one of their all-time classic and most nerve-wracking games, the Phillies battled back late with three solo home runs from Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper and Alec Bohm, all while rookie Andrew Painter was pitching three scoreless innings in relief in this 4-3 win over the Braves.

What It Means:  These two teams will meet one more time tonight, with the winner heading to Los Angeles to play the Dodgers in the NLDS beginning on Saturday.  With the other three Wild Card contests already over, the Phillies-Braves game moves to prime time with an 8pm start time.

What Happened/Featured Card:  The game was tied 1-1 at the seventh inning stretch.  Cristopher Sanchez allowed a lead-off walk to start the seventh and then his defense let him down.  Ha-Seong Kim was safe at first on a sacrifice bunt when Bohm tried to get the lead runner at second, and the Braves took a 2-1 lead when Harper misjudged a fly ball to right from Drake Baldwin.  Harper ran back too late and the ball dropped for what was scored a double.  Matt Olson would add a sacrifice fly to make it 3-1, Braves, chasing Sanchez from the game.  Reliever Alex McFarlane needed four pitches to escape the jam.

In the top of the eighth, the magic started.  Schwarber hit a long home run to center and Harper followed that with a solo home run of his own, tying the game.  Luckily, we got to hear both home run calls from Scott Franzke as the TV was muted and the radio audio was turned on.  Painter entered the game in the bottom of the eighth, and he'd have a "career-altering" outing as J.T. Realmuto coined it after the game.  Painter threw seven straight balls to start the inning and then locked in following a mound visit from pitching coach Caleb Cotham.  He'd gutsily work around baserunners in the eighth and ninth innings.

In the top of the 10th, following two quick outs, Bohm lofted an opposite field fly ball to right that kept carrying until it had left the park.  The Phillies somehow had a 4-3 lead.  Painter allowed a few more baserunners in the bottom of the 10th, but got pinch-hitter Dominic Smith looking on an ABS challenge to end the game.

Honestly, this was one of the most stressful Phillies game I've endured in recent memory, and that's saying quite a lot.

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NLWCS Game 1 - Phils Come Up Short in Crucial Series Opener

 

Philadelphia Phillies	3
Atlanta Braves	5

Tuesday Afternoon, September 29th

Truist Park - Atlanta, GA
Braves lead series, 1-0

One Sentence Summary:  Austin Riley hit a back-breaking three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth off Jhoan Duran to give the Braves an important Game 1 win over the Phillies in the Wild Card Series.

What It Means:  The Phillies will have Cristopher Sanchez on the mound in a possible elimination game Wednesday afternoon.

What Happened/Featured Card:  The Phillies scored first, with Kyle Schwarber drawing a walk off Braves' starter Chris Sale and Alec Bohm doubling him home in the top of the first.  The Braves tied it up on the bottom of the second on a Mike Yastrzemski single to center, scoring Ozzie Albies, who had reached on a walk.  Jesus Luzardo, dubbed an opener for this game given his recent shoulder injury, ended up pitching five strong innings, allowing a run on three hits while striking out six.  Alex McFarlane entered in the sixth, allowing a single to Michael Harris II and a triple to Albies, giving the Braves a 2-1 lead.  In the top of the seventh, in what should have been the big highlight of the game, J.T. Realmuto laced a two-run triple to right, scoring two runs and giving the Phillies a 3-2 lead.

Jhoan Duran pitched a quick 1-2-3 seventh inning, and recorded two quick outs in the eighth.  But then Harris reached on an infield single to Trea Turner, on a ball that Turner mishandled, and Albies was hit in the foot by a pitch.  Riley then launched his three-run home run, ruining the day for the Phillies and their fans.

Transaction:  The Phillies finalized their 26-man Wild Card Series roster, adding Otto Kemp (3b-lf) who switched his uniform number to 31, and removing Luis Arraez (2b), Max Lazar (rhp) and Brooks Raley (lhp).  All three trade deadline acquisitions, Arraez (injury), Raley (just bad) and Caleb Kilian (injury) will likely not appear in a postseason game for the club.

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Game 162 - Phils Clinch Wild Card Spot in Final Game of '26

Tampa Bay Rays	3
Philadelphia Phillies	7

Sunday Afternoon, September 27th

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
88-74, 2nd Place, 6 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies made things interesting (and at times, depressing) but they punched their ticket to the 2026 postseason with this convincing 7-3 win over the Rays.

What It Means:  After a celebration yesterday afternoon, the Phillies flew to Atlanta.  They'll face off against the division-winning Braves in the Wild Card Series on Tuesday, Wednesday and potentially Thursday afternoons.  A win in this series would put the Phillies in the NLDS against the Dodgers.

What Happened:  The ballpark was tense and the game started a half hour early due to the threat of upcoming heavy rain.  Zack Wheeler struck out the side in the first to set the tone, and Bryson Stott's double in the bottom of the first to bring home Kyle Schwarber, who had singled to reach, was enough to allow the fans to breathe a little.  J.T. Realmuto broke his 0 for 34 hitless streak with a double in the bottom of the second to score Edmundo Sosa, who had reached earlier on a double.  Trea Turner kept things going with a sharp single to center and Schwarber plated two more runs with a cathartic double to right, giving the Phillies a 4-0 lead.  Wheeler allowed a solo home run to Jonny DeLuca in the fifth, but was otherwise solid.  He allowed five hits overall in six innings, striking out five.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Phillies broke the game open.  Bryce Harper laced a line drive home run that just cleared the right field wall.  Bryson Stott doubled and would later come home on a Brandon Marsh sac fly.  Sosa then added to his day with a solo home run, giving the Phillies a 7-1 lead.  It got a little dicey in the seventh as Alex McFarlane allowed a pair of runs and the Diamondbacks came back to tie the Padres in their game.  Jesus Luzardo, activated before the game, needed four pitches to shut down the Rays in the eighth and Jhoan Duran struck out a pair in the ninth on the way to sending the Phillies to the postseason.  On to Atlanta!

Featured Card/Field Report:  Jenna and I, poncho'd up, actually enjoyed this game from the Diamond Club with my brother-in-law Bill and his Dad.  The rain was heavy at times, but with the Phillies in control the entire game, I really didn't mind.  I'm hoping we get to see the Phillies face the Dodgers in NLDS Game 3, which would take place on October 6th.

Transaction:  Luzardo (lhp) was activated from the injured list and Jose Urquidy (rhp) was designated for assignment.

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Game 123 - The Field of Dreams Game

2026 Chachi #69

2026 Chachi Friendly Encounters #8

2026 Topps Now #551

Philadelphia Phillies	7
Minnesota Twins	1

Thursday Night, August 13th

Field of Dreams - Dyersville, IA
65-58, 2nd Place, 9 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  On a magical night for baseball, the Phillies shined in a 7-1 win over the Twins at baseball's Field of Dreams, situated in the middle of a huge corn field in Iowa.

What It Means:  This is easily the best regular season Phillies game I've ever attended.

What Happened:  After a moving pregame ceremony in which both teams and two dozen Hall of Famers emerged from the corn stalks in right field, Kyle Schwarber hit the third pitch of the game into the corn over the right field wall.  Bryce Harper walked, went to third on a Luis Arraez single and scored on a Bryson Stott single to center.  The Phillies scored three more runs in the fourth on a two-run home run from Schwarber that bounced off the glove of Twins' right fielder Luke Keaschall and over the wall.  Trea Turner then doubled and Harper singled him home.  Brandon Marsh capped the scoring with a two-run home run in the seventh.  Every Phillie in the starting line-up had a hit in the game, except for catcher J.T. Realmuto.

Aaron Nola allowed a second inning home run to Keaschall, but settled in and allowed five hits overall while striking out nine in his five inning outing.  Brooks Raley, Jonathan Bowlan, Orion Kerkering and Jhoan Duran kept the Twins off the scoreboard over the final four innings.

Featured Card:  I wanted to create a Chachi highlight card to celebrate the game, and given the hundreds of pictures I took during the day it was hard to parse down the photos to just a few to show here.  I also decided to create an insert set using photos of the Phillies standees located on the path leading between the movie site and the actual ballpark.  Given the Phillies chose to wear 1939-inspired uniforms, I kept the insert card design simple and based it on the 1941 Play Ball set.  I feature these in a future post.

Field Report:  It was incredible.  Jenna and I decided we needed to go to this game as soon as it was announced the prior year.  With both boys working and occupied with summer activities, we received their permission to make it a solo trip.  We pulled into Dyersville around 1:15 after the 90 minute drive from Cedar Rapids.  After waiting in line for the parking lots to open at 2pm, we quickly parked, trekked across the muddy grass parking lot and waited in line again for our early access passes from travel group, On Location.  The early access was amazing, as we were able to explore the movie site and the surrounding stores with very few other fans around at that point.  Jenna captured a selfie with Shane Victorino, we spent an appropriate amount of money on souvenirs and I took in the Field of Dreams from the movie, standing on the pitching mound, enjoying the view from second base and of course, thinking about my Dad.

In a truly magical touch, fans needed to cross through the corn field from the movie site to the ballpark area.  There was a meandering path lined with cutouts of Phillies and Twins players and then more merchandise and food concessions outside the larger (and new) ballpark.  We watched in awe as Mike Schmidt and Adrian Beltre stood in line with other fans for merchandise.  We made our way to our lofty seats in Section 304, Row DD, and enjoyed the view before the pregame ceremonies.  The game itself was extremely enjoyable as well, especially given the Phillies were in command from the outset.  Lifelong memories were created.

Transaction:  Kameron Misner (of) was recalled from Lehigh Valley as the 27th man for the game, but did not make an appearance.

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All-Star Game Experience - Absolutely Amazing / All-Star Game - Complete Dud

2026 Chachi #59

2026 Chachi #58

2026 Chachi #56

2026 Chachi Friendly Encounters #7

American League All-Stars	4
National League All-Stars	0

Tuesday Night, July 14th

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA

One Sentence Summary:  Citizens Bank Park was electric during the pregame ceremonies and for all the other mid-game festivities, but the 96th All-Star Game itself was fairly boring, as the American League pitching completely shut down the National League, 4-0.

What It Means:  There was absolutely nothing during the game for a Phillies fan (or a National League fan for that matter) to cheer for.  Still, it was worth the six-year wait between the announcement of the game in 2019 and the playing of the game in 2026.

What Happened:  Cristopher Sanchez struck out Mike Trout to start the game, then allowed a single to Yordan Alvarez, walked Shea Langeliers and walked Bobby Witt, Jr. to load the bases.  Cody Bollinger brought home two runs with a single to center, eventually earning him the game's MVP honors.  Ben Rice singled to give the American League a 3-0 lead and that was pretty much the ballgame.  Sanchez would be saddled with the loss and a 27.00 ERA for his one inning of work.  The National League All-Stars managed three singles, never advancing a runner to second base.  Miguel Vargas hit a solo home run for the American League in the eighth.

Sanchez had a crappy night, and the other Phillies All-Stars, other than pitchers Jesus Luzardo and Jhoan Duran, didn't fare much better.  Kyle Schwarber led off as the DH, replacing the injured Shohei Ohtani.  Schwarber struck out swinging again Dylan Cease in the first and grounded out to second in the third.  Brandon Marsh started in right field, batting seventh.  He struck out twice - against Parker Messick in the second and Nick Martinez in the fifth.  Bryce Harper pinch-hit for Schwarber in the sixth, striking out in his only at-bat against Cade Smith.

Jesus Luzardo had the best night of all six Phillies All-Stars.  Entering in the fourth, Luzardo struck out Riley Greene and then induced two quick ground outs from Ernie Clement and Trout.  He threw a total of six pitches.  Jhoan Duran entered with one out in the top of the ninth, jogging to the mound in the dark while we all waited for his signature entrance music to start.  It eventually started, albeit late, and Duran needed just four pitches to retire Travis Bazzana and Ceddanne Rafaela after Randy Arozarena had reached on a single.

2026 Chachi #61

2026 Chachi #57

2026 Chachi #60

2026 Chachi #55

Featured Cards:  Since I started creating Chachi cards in 2005, a mainstay of my sets are the annual All-Star cards, and this year is no different.  I created cards for the six Phillies All-Stars, along with Don Mattingly, who served as a bench coach.

Field Report:  Doug and I were there!  Doug completed the trifecta of Futures Game, Home Run Derby and All-Star Game, and this was the second All-Star Game I've attended.  My Dad and I were at Veterans Stadium, cheering on Ricky Bottalico, back in 1996.  We arrived right before 5pm and waited in a crazy long line out to the parking lot to eventually snake its way through the entrance when gates opened.  We surveyed the MLB All-Star Fan  Zone, set up outside the ballpark and complete with vendors, food trucks and photo opportunities, before heading into the ballpark proper.  After a 20 minute or so wait to get into the team store, Doug found the Ohtani Ring the Bell t-shirt he wanted and he posed for a quick picture with the Rangers' mascot, Captain.

We then did a full lap of the ballpark, getting stuck momentarily in an unmoving crowd in Ashburn Alley, and enjoying our obligatory meal at Bull's BBQ, before settling into our seats in Section 415, Row 2.  It was hot, but there was an occasional breeze in the higher section, something we rarely experience down in Section 315.

The pregame ceremony is always my favorite part of the All-Star Game, and I love the full team introductions.  I was happy to see all the represented teams once again wearing their actual uniforms and not MLB created abominations for the game.  We loved how the starting line-up signed their own version of a Declaration after being announced, and singers Jennifer Hudson and Patti LaBelle were amazing.  There were flyovers, fireworks and a dramatic reading from actor and Phillies fan Miles Teller.  Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton threw out the ceremonial first pitches, caught by Scott Rolen and Cole Hamels.

The Sandlot tribute in the middle of the fifth inning was also very impressive.  With Ray Charles, Jr. singing "America the Beautiful" and the ballpark lights dimmed, kids rode their bikes, played catch, practiced their swings and traded baseball cards down on the field with the All Stars.  What followed was so many fireworks in such rapid succession, Doug and I were convinced they might actual blow up the ballpark.

The game itself stunk.  Sanchez struck out Trout to start the first and then quickly gave up three runs, letting all the air out of the celebratory balloon.  But I loved every minute of it, and I'm thrilled I could share it with my son, just like my Dad had done 30 years earlier.

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Home Run Derby Upset! / Walker Stuns Schwarber, Phils Faithful

2026 Chachi #53

2026 Chachi #54

When it was first announced the All-Star Game would be coming to Philadelphia in 2026, I was immediately excited about going to the actual game and mildly interested in the other festivities surrounding a typical All-Star Weekend/Week.  We were lucky enough to secure tickets for the entire three days of festivities, with Doug and one of his friends attending the Futures Game on Sunday and he and my wife attending the Home Run Derby last night.  I had no interest in attending the derby, but as it got closer to the time for them to leave for Philly, I admittedly started having a little bit of FOMO, which developed into a full-fledged case once the festivities began.

The broadcast on Netflix was fine, and the announcers did their best to gush about the palpable excitement at the ballpark.  But it didn't compare to their experience of actually being there and it was a night they won't soon forget.

During the pre-derby introductions, Bryce Harper embraced his Showman persona, hoping onto the middle rung of the makeshift boxer's ring situated in the infield, while Michael Buffer did his best announcer's schtick with the obligatory "Let's Get Ready to Rumble," not coming until the tournament's final round.  Harper and his teammate Kyle Schwarber both started slow, and Harper's eight home runs in the first round were surpassed by Schwarber's 10 home runs, knocking Harper out of the semi-finals.  Schwarber took down Willson Contreras in Round 2, nine home runs besting Contreras' eight.  All seemed right with the world when Schwarber connected for 11 home runs in the final round, but the Cardinals' Jordan Walker hit four home runs in a row on his final swings, surging past Schwarber and silencing the 45,000-plus fans pulling for a Schwarber win in his home ballpark.

Doug and Jenna reported it was LOUD and they had never heard such loud and sustained booing, which is saying something since they've both been to their fair share of big Phillies games over the years.  As I've done in the past, I created a few Home Run Derby cards for my Chachi set, and I look forward to creating some All-Star cards for the set following Tuesday night's Midsummer Classic.

What an incredible experience this All-Star Week has been!

Game 76 - Schwarber and Harper Make History in Blowout Win

2026 Chachi #50

2026 Chachi #51

New York Mets	3
Philadelphia Phillies	15

Saturday Night, June 20th

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
41-35, 2nd Place, 7 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Kyle Schwarber launched three home runs, two in the third inning, and Bryce Harper hit for the cycle in this 15-3 blow-out win over the Mets.

What It Means:  I'm considering this an early Father's Day present!  What an enjoyable game to watch, in spite of the Fox broadcasters.

What Happened:  Harper's cycle started with a bang, when he launched a first inning home run off Mets' starter David Peralta.  The Phillies scored twice more in the second, courtesy of RBI doubles from J.T. Realmuto and Justin Crawford.  The floodgates opened in the third.  Eight Phillies runs crossed the plate, with Schwarber hitting a pair of home runs in the inning, both traveling over 450 feet.  Harper would collect a hustle double and a single in the inning, getting him closer to the cycle.  Bryson Stott, Realmuto and Trea Turner all contributed RBI hits.  Harper completed his cycle in the fifth, scoring two more runs with a triple to center.  Schwarber capped the scoring with this third home run of the night in the seventh.

Schwarber went 4 for 5 with four runs scored and six RBIs, while Harper countered by going 4 for 5 with a pair of runs scored and three RBIs.  All this happened while Cristopher Sanchez was on the mound, cruising to his ninth win of the year.

Featured Card:  I created a Chachi Highlight card in 2023 when Turner homered twice in one inning.  Schwarber joins Turner, Von Hayes and Andy Seminick as the only four Phillies players to accomplish the feat.  Harper became the first Phillie to hit for the cycle since Weston Wilson did it back in 2024, and he now owns the 11th cycle in Phillies history.

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Game 56 - Sanchez Sets Franchise Record for Scoreless Innings Streak

2006 Chachi #44

Philadelphia Phillies	3
San Diego Padres	0

Wednesday Afternoon, May 27th

Petco Park - San Diego, CA
29-27, 2nd Place, 8 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Cristopher Sanchez threw seven more scoreless innings, breaking the franchise record set by Grover Cleveland Alexander in 1911, as the Phillies squeaked by the Padres, 3-0.

What It Means:  This was a big win for the club, as they swept the Padres and have some momentum heading into a big series against the Dodgers.  It was also a big win for Sanchez, as he's clearly cemented himself among the game's elite pitchers.  Alexander threw 41 consecutive scoreless innings in 1911, and Sanchez's streak is now up to 44 2/3 innings.

What Happened:  Justin Crawford did his part to preserve the streak with a running, leaping catch in center in the sixth inning.  Sanchez improved to 6-2, with his ERA dropping to 1.47.  He struck out nine in the game.  With Brad Keller and Jhoan Duran unavailable out of the bullpen, the Phillies went with a Jonathan Bowlan/Jose Alvarado tandem to close things out, and Alvarado earned his first save of the year.  The Phillies scored a pair of runs on RBIs from Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner in the sixth.  Turner added a solo home run in the ninth, his second in as many days.

Featured Card:  Sanchez earned a Topps Now card for his efforts, but I wanted to add a card for his feat to the 2026 Chachi set too.  I'll hopefully add another if he ultimately breaks the major league record held by Orel Hershiser of 59 consecutive scoreless innings, set in 1988.

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