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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