Game 115 - Big Sixth Inning Leads Phils Over Snakes

2024 Topps Heritage #159

Phillies 6, Diamondbacks 4
Game 115 - Late Thursday Night, August 8th in Phoenix
Record - 69-46, 1st Place, 8 games ahead of the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies' offense stayed hot, banging out 14 hits and winning this series opener against the Diamondbacks, 6-4.

What It Means:  The Phillies have a three-game winning streak going, and the Mets have passed the Braves in the standings.

What Happened:  Trailing 1-0 heading to the sixth inning, the Phillies' bats finally woke up in the desert.  Nick Castellanos reached when he was plunked on an up and in pitch and Weston Wilson doubled him home to tie the score.  Trea Turner followed with a two-run single after Johan Rojas and Kyle Schwarber had walked to load the bases.  Bryce Harper added the inning's fourth run with a single to center, scoring Schwarber.  The Diamondbacks gained back a pair when Jake McCarthy hit a two-run home run off Orion Kerkering in the bottom of the sixth.  

J.T. Realmuto provided some breathing room with a solo home run in the seventh and Edmundo Sosa contributed an RBI-double in the ninth.  Carlos Estevez was a little wild in the ninth, but the new closer settled in and recorded his first save with the Phillies.

Featured Card:  Realmuto has had an off-year offensively, but his home run last night, only his eighth of the season, came at a great time.  Realmuto marked 10 years of big league service yesterday, a true milestone for one of the best catcher's in baseball.

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Game 114 - Schwarbombs x 3 Lead to Big Win

2024 Topps Big League
To the Moon #TM-29

Phillies 9, Dodgers 4
Game 114 - Late Wednesday Night, August 7th in Los Angeles
Record - 68-46, 1st Place, 7 1/2 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Kyle Schwarber launched three home runs and drove in seven runs in this 9-4 series-clinching win over the Dodgers.

What It Means:  The Phillies had lost their last six series, and this was their first series win since sweeping the Dodgers at home in early July.  A four-game set in Phoenix is coming up next.

What Happened:  This was the Schwarber game, with the slugger hitting home runs in the first, leading off the game, in the sixth, with a pair of runners on, and in the ninth, another solo shot.  Schwarber's big day supported Tyler Phillips, who improved to 4-1 with five innings of work, allowing four runs.

Featured Card:  No doubt about it, this win can be completely credited to Schwarber.  This insert from Topps Big League seemed appropriate for this post.

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Phillies at Diamondbacks - August 8th to August 11th

2024 Chachi 1984 Topps Missing Links #1

2024 Chachi Series Previews #4

Thursday and Friday 9:40, Saturday 8:10 and Sunday 4:10
Chase Field - Phoenix, AZ

At the Ballpark:  On Saturday night, the Diamondbacks are giving the first 30,000 fans a National League Championship replica ring.  Ouch.

Philadelphia Phillies 68-46
1st Place in the N.L. East, 7 1/2 games ahead of the Braves

Phillies Probables
Kolby Allard (0-0, 4.50)
Zack Wheeler (11-5, 2.77)
Aaron Nola (11-5, 3.54)
Cristopher Sanchez (8-7, 3.27)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Alec Bohm - .297
Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 79
Home Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 27
RBIs:  Alec Bohm - 78
Stolen Bases:  Bryson Stott - 23

Wins:  Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler - 11
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 2.77
Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 148
Saves:  Jose Alvarado - 13

Arizona Diamondbacks 63-52
Tied for 2nd Place in the N.L. West, 3 games behind the Dodgers

Diamondbacks Probables
Jordan Montgomery (7-5, 6.37)
Ryne Nelson (8-6, 4.65)
Zac Gallen (9-5, 3.75)
TBD

Diamondbacks Leaders
Average:  Ketel Marte - .298
Runs:  Ketel Marte - 79
Home Runs:  Ketel Marte - 29
RBIs:  Ketel Marte - 80
Stolen Bases:  Corbin Carroll - 21

Wins:  Zac Gallen - 9
ERA:  Brandon Pfaadt - 3.92
Strikeouts:  Brandon Pfaadt - 124
Saves:  Paul Sewald - 16

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Game 113 - Sanchez Handles Dodgers in Victory

2024 Topps Now #356

Phillies 6, Dodgers 2
Game 113 - Late Tuesday Night, August 6th in Los Angeles
Record - 67-46, 1st Place, 6 1/2 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Cristopher Sanchez got the Phillies back on track with six strong innings against the Dodgers in this 6-2 win.

What It Means:  The Phillies clinched the season series with this win, which could become important come playoff time if both teams finish the regular season with identical records.  They'll go for the crucial series win tonight.

What Happened:  Sanchez won his eighth of the year, allowing a run on five hits before yielding to the bullpen.  Matt Strahm, Jeff Hoffman and Cesar Estevez kept the Dodgers at bay.  The game was scoreless until the top of the fifth when Kyle Schwarber singled home Austin Hays, who had doubled to reach.  In the top of the sixth, Nick Castellanos drove home Alec Bohm with an RBI-single and Edmundo Sosa added a two-run single to give the Phillies a 4-0 lead.  Sosa and Kyle Schwarber hit back-to-back home runs in the ninth, providing some wiggle room for Estevez.

Featured Card:  This is the Topps Now card celebrating Sanchez's shutout agains the Marlins on June 28th.

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Game 112 - Phils Fall to Dodgers, Division Lead Shrinks

2024 Topps Heritage Then and Now #TAN-2

Dodgers 5, Phillies 3
Game 112 - Late Monday Night, August 5th in Los Angeles
Record - 66-46, 1st Place, 5 1/2 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies continued to scuffle, losing this late night game in Los Angeles thanks to a four-run third inning against Aaron Nola.

What It Means:  I made it to the second inning, suspecting the narrow 2-0 lead held by the Phillies might not hold.  I was correct.

What Happened:  Nick Castellanos tripled in the top of the second and was singled home by Bryson Stott.  An Austin Hays single moved Stott to third, and he'd score on a Tyler Glasnow wild pitch.  Glasnow settled down after that.  In the third, Nola gave up a pair of doubles to open the inning, a sacrifice fly to Shohei Ohtani and a two-run home run to Teoscar Hernandez, giving the Dodgers a 4-2 lead.  Ohtani homered in the eighth, his 34th of the season, off Tanner Banks, essentially putting the game out of reach.

Freddie Freeman returned to the Dodgers' line-up following a serious illness to his son, receiving a lengthy and emotional standing ovation from the fans.

Featured Card:  Here's an Ohtani card from my Phillies Collection, added solely for the Hall of Famer featured in the first panel.

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Phillies at Dodgers - August 5th to August 7th

1984 Topps #332

1984 Topps #747

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 10:10

Dodger Stadium - Los Angeles, CA

At the Ballpark:  Lucky fans attending Wednesday night's game will receive a Sandy Koufax bobblehead.

Philadelphia Phillies 66-45
1st Place in the N.L. East, 6 games ahead of the Braves

Phillies Probables
Aaron Nola (11-4, 3.43)
Cristopher Sanchez (7-7, 3.36)
Tyler Phillips (3-1, 4.39)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Alec Bohm - .295
Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 74
Home Runs:  Bryce Harper - 25
RBIs:  Alec Bohm - 77
Stolen Bases:  Bryson Stott - 23

Wins:  Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler - 11
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 2.77
Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 148
Saves:  Jose Alvarado - 13

Los Angeles Dodgers 65-47
1st Place in the N.L. West, 4 1/2 games ahead of the Padres

Dodgers Probables
Tyler Glasnow (8-6, 3.50)
Clayton Kershaw (0-1, 5.87)
Gavin Stone (9-5, 3.63)

Dodgers Leaders
Average:  Shohei Ohtani - .306
Runs:  Shohei Ohtani - 85
Home Runs:  Shohei Ohtani - 33
RBIs:  Shohei Ohtani - 79
Stolen Bases:  Shohei Ohtani - 31

Wins:  Gavin Stone - 9
ERA:  Tyler Glasgow - 3.50
Strikeouts:  Tyler Glasnow - 155
Saves:  Evan Phillips - 15

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Game 111 - Offense Supports Wheeler's Gem

2024 Philadelphia Phillies
Kids Club

Phillies 6, Mariners 0
Game 111 - Sunday Afternoon, August 4th in Seattle
Record - 66-45, 1st Place, 6 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies' offense finally showed some life, and Zack Wheeler threw eight shutout innings in this 6-0 win over the Mariners.

What It Means:  The six-game losing streak is over, and the Phillies will next head to Dodger Stadium to try to continue their new winning streak.

What Happened:  Kyle Schwarber set the tone with a lead-off home run, his 23rd home run of the season.  Logan Gilbert and Wheeler were locked in a pitcher's duel, with no more runs scoring until a big five-run eighth inning from the Phillies.  Bryson Stott led off the inning with a home run off new Mariners' reliever Yimi Garcia.  After recording two outs and walking Trea Turner, Garcia was replaced by Tayler Saucedo who gave up a much-needed two-run home run to Bryce Harper, making it 4-0, Phillies.  Saucedo quickly allowed another home run to Alec Bohm before he too exited.  Finally, with Brandon Marsh on second, J.T. Realmuto came through with a clutch single to give the Phillies a 6-0 cushion.

Schwarber and Harper, who had been locked in awful slumps, each had three-hit games.  Brandon Marsh made an unbelievably lucky catch, having lost the ball in the sun, sticking out his glove at the last moment, and having the ball miraculously land in his glove.

Featured Card:  Wheeler understood the assignment, limiting the Mariners to two hits and striking out nine in his eight innings of work.

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Game 110 - Phils Find New Ways to Lose Nightly

2013 Topps Heritage #186

Mariners 6, Phillies 5 (10 Innings)
Game 110 - Late Saturday Night, August 3rd in Seattle
Record - 65-45, 1st Place, 5 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies' bullpen blew a five-run lead and the Mariners secured a walk-off win with a bases loaded, 10th inning walk in this 6-5 loss.

What It Means:  Another devastating loss, and the losing streak has reached six games.  The Phillies, still 20 games over .500 and with a five-game lead in the division, are going through a historically bad stretch.

What Happened:  Opener Orion Kerkering (one inning) and Kolby Allard (four innings), pitched well and the Phillies led 5-0 heading to the bottom of the fifth.  Alec Bohm and Brandon Marsh both had two-run singles to give the Phillies what seemed to be a comfortable lead.  Allard gave up a solo home run to Mitch Haniger in the fifth, and All-Star Jeff Hoffman surrendered four runs in the sixth.  It was by far the worst performance of Hoffman's season.

The Phillies had chances to take the lead, but instead the game headed to extras.  Carlos Estevez, who had pitched an uneventful ninth, intentionally walked the lead-off batter in the 10th, putting runners at first and second.  After recording two outs, he hit Dylan Moore to load the bases and walked Haniger, scoring the winning run.  Replays show Haniger should have been called out on strikes to end the inning prior to his walk, but the Phillies aren't getting any breaks these days.

Featured Card:  Maybe this card of Phillies legend Casper Wells will bring us some luck.

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Game 109 - Mariners Slam Phillips in Loss

2022-23 Topps Now Offseason #OS-30

Mariners 10, Phillies 2
Game 109 - Late Friday Night, August 2nd in Seattle
Record - 65-44, 1st Place, 5 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies' losing ways continued as the Mariners demolished Tyler Phillips in this 10-2 defeat.

What It Means:  I wisely opted to call it a night after the Phillies batted in the top of the second inning, missing the bludgeoning of Phillips in the bottom of the second.

What Happened:  Phillips gave up a solo home run to Victor Robles in the bottom of the first, a three-run home run to Luke Raley in the bottom of the second, and was chased from the game when Justin Turner hit a grand slam a few batters later.  The Mariners led, 8-0 after two innings.  The Phillies scored a pair of runs in the ninth inning, after back-up catcher Garrett Stubbs threw a scoreless bottom of the eighth, retiring the Mariners in order.

Featured Card:  This is the most recent Phillies-Mariners card in my Phillies collection, from the 2022-23 Topps Now Offseason set.

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Phillies at Mariners - August 2nd to August 4th

2024 Chachi 1984 Topps Missing Links #2

1984 Topps Traded #15T

Friday and Saturday 9:40, Sunday 4:10
T-Mobile Park - Seattle, WA

At the Ballpark:  There's a postgame (or maybe pregame?) Mariners drone show tonight.  On Sunday, the first 15,000 fans will receive a Mariners bucket hat and kids can run the bases following the game.

Philadelphia Phillies 65-43
1st Place in the N.L. East, 6 games ahead of the Braves

Phillies Probables
Taylor Phillips (3-0, 1.80)
Kolby Allard (0-0, 6.75)
Zack Wheeler (10-5, 2.94)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Alec Bohm - .295
Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 71
Home Runs:  Bryce Harper - 24
RBIs:  Alec Bohm - 73
Stolen Bases:  Bryson Stott - 23

Wins:  Aaron Nola - 11
ERA:  Ranger Suarez - 2.87
Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 139
Saves:  Jose Alvarado - 13

Seattle Mariners
Tied for 1st Place in the A.L. West, 4 1/2 games ahead of the Rangers

Mariners Probables
Bryan Woo (4-1, 2.35)
Bryce Miller (8-7, 3.46)
Logan Gilbert (6-7, 3.11)

Mariners Leaders
Average:  Julio Rodriguez - .263
Runs:  Cal Raleigh - 48
Home Runs:  Cal Raleigh - 23
RBIs:  Cal Raleigh - 67
Stolen Bases:  Dylan Moore - 20

Wins:  Luis Castillo - 9
ERA:  George Kirby - 3.04

Strikeouts:  Logan Gilbert - 136
Saves:  Andres Munoz - 18

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Game 108 - Yanks Complete Sweep, Phils Limp to Seattle

2024 Topps City to City #CTC-9

Yankees 6, Phillies 5
Game 108 - Wednesday Afternoon, July 31st in Philadelphia
Record - 65-43, 1st Place, 6 1/2 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  The slumping Phillies got swept by the Yankees, losing this matinee game, 6-5.

What It Means:  The Phillies are making me fairly cranky these days, with crappy play on the field and now a gaudy Independence Blue Cross large advertising logo on their uniform shoulders.  It looks dumb, and it's too big.

More relevant, the sweep at the hands of the Yankees snaps a 62-series sweepless streak, the longest in franchise history, dating back to June 2023.  The previous franchise high streak had been 58 series, between September 1992 and April 1994.  (H/T @tgpschmenk)  The Phillies lead in the division hasn't been as small as 6 1/2 games since June 2nd.

What Happened:  Cristopher Sanchez and Jose Ruiz allowed six Yankees runs to score in the game's first six innings.  Alec Bohm, Nick Castellanos and Bryson Stott all had multi-hit days, with Castellanos driving in three runs.

Featured Card:  The month of July was nightmarish for the Phillies and Bryce Harper, as the team went 10-14 overall and have lost 10 of their last 13 games.  Harper batted .149 for July (10 for 67) with four home runs and nine RBIs, and he's mired in a 1 for 30 slump dating back to the series against the Twins.  I hope a trip out west to Seattle and Los Angeles results in some found hits.

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Game 107 - Phils Lose Heartbreaker on Trade Deadline Day

2022 Topps Update #US146

2024 Choice Jersey Shore BlueClaws #4

2024 Topps Heritage #144

2022 Choice South Atlantic League Top Prospects

2023 Choice Delmarva Shorebirds #24

Yankees 7, Phillies 6 (12 Innings)
Game 107 - Tuesday Night, July 30th in Philadelphia
Record - 65-42, 1st Place, 7 1/2 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  In one of the more painful losses of the season, the Phillies couldn't keep rallying past the Yankees, losing 7-6 in 12 innings.

What It Means:  It's really not going well.

What Happened:  Aaron Nola pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing a pair of runs on seven hits, and departed with the Phillies holding a 4-2 lead.  Matt Strahm allowed a three-run home run to Jazz Chisolm in the top of the seventh, giving the Yankees the lead.  In the ninth, the Phillies battled back to tie the game when pinch-runner Johan Rojas scored on a wild pitch from Yankees' closer Clay Holmes.  J.T. Realmuto and Bryson Stott had both singled to start the mini-rally.  The Phillies loaded the bases in the 10th, but did not score.  The Yankees took the lead in the top of the 11th, but the Phillies again rallied to tie the game when Austin Hays singled home ghost runner Stott in the bottom of the 11th.  The Yankees pulled ahead for the final time in the top of the 12th against reliever Orion Kerkering, and the Phillies went down quietly in the bottom of the 12th.

Featured Cards/Transactions:  Prior to this debacle, Dave Dombrowski pulled off two more deals before the 6pm trade deadline.

Tanner Banks (lhp) was acquired from the Chicago White Sox for prospect William Bergolla (inf).  Banks is nearly unhittable when facing left-handed batters, and in 41 games and 48 innings with the White Sox this season, he had been 2-2 with a 4.13 ERA and a pair of saves.  Bergolla was batting .295 with 18 stolen bases for high-A Jersey Shore.

Gregory Soto (lhp) was dealt to the Baltimore Orioles for pitching prospects Seth Johnson (rhp) and Moises Chace (rhp).  The Phillies decided to move on from Soto, picking up two promising arms in the process.  In 1 1/2 seasons and 112 games with the Phillies, Soto was 5-8 with a 4.42 ERA and five saves.

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Game 106 - Yanks Demolish Floundering Phils

1999 Upper Deck #456

Yankees 14, Phillies 4
Game 106 - Monday Night, July 29th in Philadelphia
Record - 65-41, 1st Place, 8 1/2 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisolm both belted a pair of home runs as the Yankees dismantled Zack Wheeler and the Phillies, 14-4.

What It Means:  Nothing is going right and the entire team looks lost.

What Happened:  Wheeler fell to 10-5 by allowing seven runs on seven hits, including three home runs, in five innings of work.  Yunior Marte gave up two more runs, Gregory Soto allowed three to score and Garrett Stubbs gave up the final two.  Stubbs has pitched twice in the past two weeks, so that's a good indication of how poorly things are going.  Brandon Marsh hit a solo home run in the fourth.

Featured Card:  The last time the Phillies were beat this badly by the Yankees at home was June 9, 1999, when Phillies starter Chad Ogea was roughed up.  The Yankees had an eight-run sixth inning, with the Phillies burning through four pitchers to record three outs - Chad Ogea, Mike Grace, Robert Person and Jim Poole.  The final score in that game was 11-5.

Transaction:  Carlos Estevez (rhp), acquired on Saturday, was added to the active roster and Michael Rucker (rhp) was optioned to Lehigh Valley.  Rucker was on the active roster for three games and did not throw a pitch for the Phillies.

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Yankees at Phillies - July 29th to July 31st

1984 Topps #281

2024 Chachi 1984 Topps Missing Links #12

Monday and Tuesday 6:40, Wednesday 12:35
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA

At the Ballpark:  Kids will be invited to run the bases following Wednesday afternoon's game.

New York Yankees 61-45
2nd Place in the A.L. East, 1 1/2 games behind the Orioles

Yankees Probables
Luis Gil (10-5, 3.10)
Gerrit Cole (3-2, 5.40)
Nestor Cortes (4-9, 4.13)

Yankees Leaders
Average:  Aaron Judge - .314
Runs:  Juan Soto - 86
Home Runs:  Aaron Judge - 37
RBIs:  Aaron Judge - 95
Stolen Bases:  Anthony Volpe - 18

Wins:  Luis Gil and Carlos Rodon - 10
ERA:  Luis Gil - 3.10
Strikeouts:  Luis Gil - 124
Saves:  Clay Holmes - 21

Philadelphia Phillies 65-40
1st Place in the N.L. East, 8 1/2 games ahead of the Braves

Phillies Probables
Zack Wheeler (10-4, 2.55)
Aaron Nola (11-4, 3.44)
Cristopher Sanchez (7-6, 3.05)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Alec Bohm - .295
Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 69
Home Runs:  Bryce Harper - 24
RBIs:  Alec Bohm - 71
Stolen Bases:  Bryson Stott - 23

Wins:  Aaron Nola - 11
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 2.55
Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 133
Saves:  Jose Alvarado - 13

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Game 105 - Schwarber Mashes Two Schwarbombs, Phils Still Lose

2024 Topps 1989 Topps
Baseball 35th Anniversary
#89B2-42

Guardians 4, Phillies 3
Game 105 - Sunday Afternoon, July 28th in Philadelphia
Record - 65-40, 1st Place, 8 1/2 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Kyle Schwarber couldn't single-handedly defeat the Guardians as Kolby Allard and Jose Alvarado allowed game-tying and go-ahead home runs in this 4-3 defeat.

What It Means:  The Phillies have lost four series in a row against the Athletics, Pirates, Twins and Guardians, and they'll look to get back on track against the Yankees beginning on Monday.

What Happened:  Schwarber began the game with a home run and added a two-run home run in the third to give the Phillies a 3-0 lead.  Allard, making his Phillies debut, gave up a three-run home run to Jhonkensy Noel in the top of the fourth, tying the score.  Steven Kwan hit a solo home run in the seventh off Alvarado, giving the Guardians a 4-3 lead.  The Phillies' offense had three singles in addition to Schwarber's two home runs.  The two through five hitters went a combined 0 for 18.

Featured Card:  I'll give Schwarber the card here as the slugger delivered on the day the Phillies gave away a beach towel containing his likeness.

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Game 104 - Phillips Tosses CG Shutout; Bullpen Adds Estevez

2024 Topps Now #479

Phillies 8, Guardians 0
Game 104 - Saturday Night, July 27th in Philadelphia
Record - 65-39, 1st Place, 9 1/2 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Tyler Phillips improved to 3-0 with a four-hit, complete game shutout as the Phillies offense mashed four home runs to support the rookie.

What It Means:  Phillips is the first Phillies rookie to throw a shutout since current Orioles pitcher Zach Eflin threw one in 2016.

What Happened:  The Phillies rode Phillips' pitching and a seven-run fourth inning to this win.  Bryce Harper, Brandon Marsh and Kyle Schwarber all homered in the fourth, with Harper's blast his 100th launched at Citizens Bank Park.  Nick Castellanos added a solo home run in the sixth inning.  Phillips gave up four singles, walked a batter and struck out four.

Featured Card:  I typically wouldn't do this, but given I have zero Phillips Phillies cards in my collection and Topps produced this fantastic Topps Now card to celebrate his gem, I'm featuring a card I don't yet have in hand.

Transaction:  Prior to the game, the Phillies landed their bullpen help, acquiring Carlos Estevez (rhp) from the Los Angeles Angles for pitching prospects George Klassen (rhp) and Samuel Aldegheri (lhp).  Estevez has emerged as one of the best closers in the game, saving 31 games last year in an All-Star season, and saving 20 games so far this year.  He spent the first six seasons of his big league career with the Rockies.  He has a 2.38 ERA in 34 innings pitched this season.

Klassen was 3-2 with a 1.97 ERA in 14 starts between Jersey Shore and Clearwater this season, and Aldegheri was 6-7 with a 3.23 ERA in 15 starts between Reading and Jersey Shore.  It was a steep price to pay for a rental player, as Estevez is a free agent following the season, but the hope is that his addition makes the bullpen stronger during a long postseason run.

Additionally, Ranger Suarez (lhp) landed on the Injured List with a bad back and Kolby Allard (lhp) was recalled to take his spot on the roster and the rotation.  Here's hoping Suarez isn't out too long, and that this additional rest gets him back to his early season form.

2024 Topps Heritage #498

2024 Choice Clearwater Threshers #15

2024 Choice Jersey Shore BlueClaws #1

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Game 103 - Phils Look Un-Lively; Acquire Hays for Dominguez, Pache

2018 Choice Lehigh Valley
IronPigs #15

Guardians 3, Phillies 1
Game 103 - Friday Night, July 26th in Philadelphia
Record - 64-39, 1st Place, 9 games ahead of the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Ben Lively and the Guardians' bullpen silenced the Phillies' bats in this 3-1 series opening loss.

What It Means:  The Phillies are suddenly not fun to watch.  They look as if they're pressing and I'm hoping they find their groove again soon.  The surging Mets are now in second place, a half game ahead of the Braves.

What Happened:  Lively improved to 9-6 with six strong innings, allowing just a fifth inning solo home run to Bryson Stott.  Stott had a three-hit night and Alec Bohm had a double, with the two through seven spots in the line-up going a combined 1 for 24.  Cristopher Sanchez dropped to 7-6, allowing all three Guardians runs on eight hits.

Featured Card:   Lively was designated for assignment in September 2018 by the Phillies and claimed off waivers by the Royals, when a roster spot was needed for Jerad Eickhoff.  He's since spent time with the Royals, in Korea and with the Reds, and he's been pitching well for Cleveland this season.

Transaction:  On Friday afternoon, the Phillies announced the first of possibly many trades in advance of Tuesday's trade deadline.  Austin Hays (of) was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles for Seranthony Dominguez (rhp) and Cristian Pache (of).  Hays is expected to see quite a bit of playing time in left field, with a likely platoon in center developing with Johan Rojas and Brandon Marsh.  Hays was an All-Star in 2023, and he's batting .255 with three home runs and 14 RBIs in 63 games this season.

Dominguez, the team's closer at one point, appeared in at least 50 games for the Phillies in 2018, 2022 and 2023.  In 230 games, he was 19-17 with a 3.55 ERA and 28 saves, with 16 blown saves.  Dominguez was a huge part of the Phillies' pennant-winning bullpen in 2022, and was the winning pitcher in NLDS Game 1 against the Braves and in World Series Game 1 agains the Astros.  I currently have 22 baseball cards for Dominguez in my Phillies Collection, dating back to his first appearance in 2016 in the Williamsport Crosscutters team set.  (It seems as if that number should be higher, but such is the fate of a reliever in today's baseball card sets.)

Pache had a few big highlights with the Phillies, but had largely struggled at the plate since joining the team right before opening day in 2023.  In 98 games with the Phillies overall, he batted .218 with a pair of home runs and 20 RBIs.  I've got six Pache cards in my Phillies Collection.

2024 Topps Heritage #13

2024 Philadelphia Phillies Kids Club

2023 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary #385

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Guardians at Phillies - July 26th to July 28th

1984 Topps #569

1984 Topps #587

Friday 6:40, Saturday 6:05, Sunday 1:35
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA

At the Ballpark:  Tonight, all fans will receive a Trea Turner bobble head, and on Saturday there's a postgame concert by Kaskade.  On Sunday, all kids will receive a Kyle Schwarber "Schwarbomb" beach towel.

Cleveland Guardians 61-41
1st Place in the A.L. Central, 4 1/2 games ahead of the Twins

Guardians Probables
Ben Lively (8-6, 3.57)
Carlos Carrasco (3-8, 5.32)
Xzavion Curry (0-2, 4.98)

Guardians Leaders
Average:  Steven Kwan - .341
Runs:  Jose Ramirez - 72
Home Runs:  Jose Ramirez - 24
RBIs:  Jose Ramirez - 82
Stolen Bases:  Jose Ramirez - 18

Wins:  Three tied with - 8
ERA:  Tanner Bibbe - 3.50
Strikeouts:  Tanner Bibbe - 130
Saves:  Emmanuel Clase - 31

Philadelphia Phillies 64-38
1st Place in the N.L. East, 9 1/2 games ahead of the Braves

Phillies Probables
Cristopher Sanchez (7-5, 2.97)
Taylor Phillips (2-0, 2.81)
Ranger Suarez (10-5, 2.87)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Alec Bohm - .296
Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 66
Home Runs:  Bryce Harper - 23
RBIs:  Alec Bohm - 71
Stolen Bases:  Bryson Stott - 23

Wins:  Aaron Nola - 11
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 2.55
Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 133
Saves:  Jose Alvarado - 13

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Game 102 - Bullpen, Defense Blows It Against Twins

2018 Topps National Baseball Card
Day Philadelphia Phillies #PH-7

Twins 5, Phillies 4
Game 102 - Wednesday Afternoon, July 24th in Minneapolis
Record - 64-38, 1st Place, 9 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Late bullpen troubles doomed the Phillies in this 5-4 loss to the Twins.

What It Means:  Heading back to the Athletics series before the All-Star break, the Phillies are 3-6 in their last nine games.  As the trade deadline looms, the team is in search of bullpen reinforcements and perhaps a corner outfielder.

What Happened:  Aaron Nola allowed a second inning solo home run and six hits overall in his six innings of work.  With the Phillies up 4-1 in the bottom of the seventh, Orion Kerkering loaded the bases with two walks and a hit batter.  Kerkering exited and Matt Strahm entered, and a few batters' later the Twins had tied the score at 4-4.  The most painful blow was a two-run double by Carlos Santana on a ball that should have been caught by left fielder Brandon Marsh.

In the bottom of the ninth, Gregory Soto hit the Twins' lead-off hitter, Trevor Larnach, and Larnach advanced to second on a wild pitch.  He'd score the winning, walk-off run on a Max Kepler infield single, giving the Twins a 5-4 win.

Featured Card:  I have 20 Santana cards in my Phillies Collection, marking his one season with the team in 2018.  This is a card I've not featured before, from the SGA Topps National Baseball Card Day Phillies team set.

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Game 101 - Phils Squeak by Twins with 9th Inning Rally

2024 Topps Philadelphia
Phillies #PHI-7

Phillies 3, Twins 0
Game 101 - Tuesday Night, July 23rd in Minneapolis
Record - 64-37, 1st Place, 9 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Held scoreless for 16 innings in a row, the Phillies plated three runs in the top of the ninth to defeat the Twins, 3-0.

What It Means:  The series split, they'll go for a series win behind Aaron Nola on Wednesday afternoon.

What Happened:  Zack Wheeler pitched one of his better games of the year, but unfortunately came away with a no decision.  He allowed three hits while walking a pair and striking out seven.  Jeff Hoffman, Gregory Soto and Matt Strahm held the Twins scoreless, with Strahm recording his first save of the season.  

In the top of the ninth, with no score and closer Jhoan Duran on the mound, Bryce Harper doubled and Alec Bohm and J.T. Realmuto drew back-to-back walks.  Brandon Marsh got the Phillies on the board with a sacrifice fly to left and Nick Castellanos provided some insurance with a two-run double.

Featured Card:  Castellanos had the more exciting RBIs, but I'll give the card to Marsh here as he broke the scoreless tie.  This is his card from the Topps retail Phillies team set.

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