Game 107 - Phils Come Back, But Duran Blows It

Philadelphia Phillies	7
Miami Marlins	8

2025 Topps Chrome Platinum
Autographs #CPA-TP

Monday Night, July 27th

loanDepot park - Miami, FL
57-50, 2nd Place, 5 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  After the Phillies offense mounted an impressive comeback late in this game, Jhoan Duran couldn't hold a two-run lead as the Marlins walked off with a stunning (and deflating) 8-7 victory.

What It Means:  Things continued to fall apart for the Phillies at this point, with this loss beginning a four-game losing streak as I watched and tried to listen from afar.

What Happened:  The Marlins led 5-2 after two innings following a rough start from Zack Wheeler, who only lasted three innings and blamed things on just having "a bad day."  The Phillies would take a 6-5 lead in the sixth.  Bryce Harper walked, was moved to second on a Brandon Marsh ground out and scored on an Alec Bohm single.  Bryson Stott singled and J.T. Realmuto doubled Bohm home.  Justin Crawford would connect for a single to left, scoring Stott and Realmuto and giving the Phillies the lead.  They'd add an insurance run in the eighth, but it wouldn't be enough.

Duran was in trouble from the outset in the ninth.  The Marlins offensive sequence went single, single, stolen base, hit by pitch, single by Heriberto Hernandez to tie the game at 7-7, single, force out, single by Griffin Conine to win the game.

Featured Card:  Former Phillie Tyler Phillips started this game for the Marlins, allowing two runs over the first five innings.  I just added this card of his to my collection from the 2025 Topps Chrome Platinum set, released on June 5th, or a little over five months since the end of 2025.

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Game 157 - Phils' Bullpen Falters in Late Inning Loss to Fish

Miami Marlins	6
Philadelphia Phillies	5

11 Innings

2025 Chachi Almost #1

Tuesday Night, September 23rd

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
92-65, 1st Place, 11 games ahead of the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Cristopher Sanchez threw seven shutout innings, but the bullpen allowed the Marlins to come back and win this miserable game.

What It Means:  The Dodgers lost as well, so the Phillies' Magic Number to clinch a first round playoff bye is down to one.

What Happened:  Sanchez was fantastic, allowing three hits and a walk while striking out six.  The Phillies' offense though scored three runs in the first two innings and then seemingly shut it down for the night.  Kyle Schwarber hit his 54th home run of the season in the first, giving the Phillies a quick 1-0 lead.  In the second, Max Kepler reached on a double and came home on Otto Kemp's two-run home run.  David Robertson gave up a pair of Marlins runs in a lengthy eighth inning.  With one out in the top of the ninth and Jhoan Duran on the mound, Heriberto Hernandez hit a solo home run, handing the closer his second blown save with the Phillies.

Orion Kerkering gave up two more runs to the Marlins in the top of the 10th, but the Phillies tied the score again in the bottom of the inning thanks to clutch RBI singles from Alec Bohm and Nick Castellanos.  In the top of the 11th, the Marlins plated another run with Lou Trivino on the mound, and the Phillies couldn't get anything done in the bottom of the inning.

Featured Card:  Marlins' reliever Tyler Phillips pitched a scoreless fifth inning, striking out a trio of Phillies batters - Kemp, Harrison Bader and Schwarber.  Phillips is 2-1 with a 2.87 ERA in 52 games and 75 1/3 innings pitched for the Fish this season.  Here's his rare 2025 Chachi Almost card, created before his contract was purchased by Miami back on March 26th.

Field Report:  Jenna and I enjoyed this game from Section 315 before Robertson's entrance and the hour-plus rain delay in the ninth inning.  We had what could have been our last leisurely dinner at Pass & Stow for the season, as once the postseason arrives we'll need to be in our seats early to lock in for the first pitch.

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Spring Training Game 13 - Pirates Sink Phils in Bradenton

Philadelphia Phillies	2
Pittsburgh Pirates	3

2025 Topps #293

Spring Training Game 13

Friday Afternoon, March 7

LECOM Park - Bradenton, FL

Record - 4-8-1

One Sentence Summary:  Cristopher Sanchez looked good again, but Tyler Phillips struggled and the sluggish offense couldn't find any clutch hits in this 3-2 loss to the Pirates.

What It Means:  Missed this game entirely due to professional responsibilities, also known as work.

What Happened:  Sanchez struck out four and allowed a run on a pair of hits in his three innings.  Phillips dropped to 0-3 on the spring, which is tough to do given the Phillies have lost only eight games.  He gave up a pair of runs on two hits and three walks, raising his spring ERA to 10.13.

The offense was 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position.  Otto Kemp doubled home the game's first run in the second, scoring Garrett Stubbs who had walked.  Stubbs would double in the fourth.  Kody Clemens hit a solo home run in the sixth inning.

Featured Card:  Phillips has no minor league options remaining, so the Phillies either need to add him to their opening day roster or hope he passes through waivers unclaimed.  This is his rookie card from the 2025 Topps Series One flagship release.  I've said it before, but scans don't do this design justice.

Camp Head Count:  61

2024 Chachi #42 Tyler Phillips

#48 / Tyler Nicholas Phillips / Starting Pitcher

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'5"  Weight:  225
Opening Day Age:  26

Born:  October 27, 1997, Lumberton, NJ
Acquired:  Selected off waivers by the Phillies from the Texas Rangers, July 24, 2021

Contract Status:  Arbitration eligible 2028
Major League Teams:  Philadelphia Phillies 2024

2024 Topps Now #479

Local product Tyler Phillips was recalled from Lehigh Valley on July 5th, and made his major league debut on July 7th, pitching four solid innings of relief against the Braves after Michael Mercado's early exit.  Phillips won his first start on July 13th and his second start on July 21st, throwing six shutout innings against the Pirates.  His next start, perhaps his career day, resulted in a shutout against the Guardians on July 27th in front of an appreciative and ecstatic Citizens Bank Park crowd.  Phillips became the first Phillies rookie to throw a shutout since Zach Eflin did it in 2016.  

Unfortunately, it was all downhill from there.  In his next four starts, Phillips allowed a combined 23 earned runs in 11 2/3 innings pitched for an unsightly 17.74 ERA.  Overall for his first year of action in the majors, he was 4-1 with a 6.87 ERA and one memorable shutout.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2019 Bowman Chrome Prospects Autographs #CPA-TP
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (0):  N/A
Favorite 2024 Card:  2024 Topps Now #479
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  6 as of 12/23/24, 5 added in 2024

Complete Chachi Checklist

2024 Chachi #42

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2024 Chachi #41 Michael Mercado / 2024 Chachi #43 Eight All-Stars HL

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 95 - Phillips Wins First Big League Start

2023 Choice Reading
Fightin Phils #13

Phillies 11, Athletics 5
Game 95 - Saturday Afternoon, July 13th in Philadelphia
Record - 62-33, 1st Place, 9 1/2 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Tyler Phillips was sharp in his first major league start, and the offense provided plenty of support for the rookie in this 11-5 win over the A's.

What It Means:  The Phillies will go for the series win this afternoon, as Major League Baseball heads into its All-Star break.  Seven All-Stars from the Phillies will head to Arlington, with Ranger Suarez staying behind to rest his back.

What Happened:  Phillips allowed four runs on six hits, including two home runs, while striking out five.  He didn't give up any walks.  Six of the Phillies runs came courtesy of the long ball, with Nick Castellanos, Johan Rojas, Trea Turner and Bryce Harper all hitting home runs.  Castellanos drove in four runs, with Harper driving in three.  Rojas provided solid defense in center field, making a run-saving running catch to end an A's threat against Phillips.

Featured Card:  I have three cards for Phillips in my Phillies collection, and I've already shown them all in previous posts.  I allow myself a repeat here, and this is his first card in my collection from last year's Reading team set.

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Game 90 - Mercado Roughed Up, Phillips Debuts

2024 Choice Lehigh Valley
IronPigs #24

Braves 6, Phillies 0
Game 90 - Sunday Afternoon, July 7th in Atlanta
Record - 58-32, 1st Place, 8 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Michael Mercado was roughed up and the Phillies offense was missing in this lifeless 6-0 loss to the Braves.

What It Means:  Not great, but the Phillies still hold an eight game lead in the division with the All-Star Break a week away.  After an off-day on Monday, they'll return home for a three-game series with the Dodgers and then three more games with the Athletics before the break.

What Happened:  Mercado was hit early and often and didn't escape the second inning.  He allowed three long home runs, five runs overall and three walks.  Reynaldo Lopez and three Braves' relievers baffled the Phillies' offense, allowing five hits, and leaving nine runners stranded.

Featured Card:  The sole bright spot in this game was the major league debut of Tyler Phillips, who pitched four solid innings, allowing a solo home run and striking out seven.  Phillips' seven strikeouts are the most by any Phillies pitcher in relief in a debut, breaking the record of six set by Bill Duggleby in 1901.  He struck out the side - Matt Olson, Marcell Ozuna and Travis d'Arnaud - in the bottom of the fifth, his first inning in the majors.  So far, his sole 2024 baseball card can be found in the IronPigs team set.

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Spring Training Games 23 & 24 - Phils Drop Both Games with Squad Split

2023 Choice Reading Fightin
Phils Update #25

Pirates 11, Phillies 2
Spring Training Game 23 - Monday Afternoon, March 18th in Clearwater

Yankees 4, Phillies 3
Spring Training Game 24 - Monday Afternoon, March 18th in Tampa
Record - 8-11-5

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies split their squad with both sides losing their respective games.

What It Means:  It wasn't a great day for the Phillies.

What Happened:   In Clearwater, minor league pitcher Tyler Phillips got the start and was treated poorly, allowing eight runs on 11 hits in 2 2/3 innings of work.  The offense was largely quiet, going 1 for 11 with runners in scoring position.  J.T. Realmuto had a pair of hits and Jake Cave collected his third double of the spring.

In Tampa, it was a pure bullpen game for the Phillies.  Matt Strahm and Jeff Hoffman didn't give up any runs over the first two innings.  Kody Clemens hit a solo home run in the seventh.

Featured Card:  Phillips has been around since 2015, when he was drafted by the Rangers in the 16th round of the June Amateur Draft.  He attended Bishop Eustace in nearby Pennsauken prior to being drafted, and he joined the Phillies in July 2021 as a waiver claim.  He was a combined 4-7 with Reading and Lehigh Valley last season, making 25 starts and owning a 5.72 ERA in 122 2/3 innings pitched.  I'd think he's slated to once again join the IronPigs' starting pitching rotation.

Camp Head Count:  57

Spring Training 2024: Phillies Announce 15 Non-Roster Invitees

2023 Topps Pro Debut #PD-86

2023 Choice Reading Fightin Phils #17

2023 Choice Reading Fightin Phils #11

2023 Choice Reading Fightin Phils #13

2023 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs #12

In a sure sign we're getting closer to baseball again, the Phillies today announced their first 15 non-roster invitees to spring training, which will officially open next month in Clearwater, Florida.  I say "first" as the team has typically added on invitees as the reporting date approaches.  The list below summarizes the Phillies players who will likely be sporting numbers in the 70s and 80s and takes a look at their most recently released mainstream baseball cards, if any.  Only four of the players below are new to the Phillies organization for 2024.

Player (position) - 2023 Organization - Last Major Baseball Card

1.  Mick Abel (rhp) - Phillies - 2023 Topps Pro Debut #PD-86

2.  Ryan Burr (rhp) - Rays - 2019 Topps Total (White Sox)

3.  Griff McGarry (rhp) - Phillies - 2023 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autographs #CPA-GM

4.  Tyler McKay (rhp) - Phillies - N/A

5.  Tyler Phillips (rhp) - Phillies - 2019 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autographs #CPA-TP

6.  Jose Ruiz (rhp) - White Sox / Diamondbacks - 2020 Topps Total #720 (White Sox)

7.  Nick Snyder (rhp) - Rangers - N/A

8.  Aramis Garcia (c) - Phillies - 2020 Topps Total #477 (Giants)

9.  Cody Roberts (c) - Phillies - N/A

10.  William Simoneit (c) - Athletics - N/A

11.  Scott Kingery (inf) - Phillies - 2022 Topps Opening Day Luck of the Irish #LI-3

12.  Nick Podkul (inf) - Phillies - N/A

13.  Carlos De La Cruz (of) - Phillies - 2023 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autographs #CPA-CDC

14.  Matt Kroon (of) - Phillies - N/A

15.  Cal Stevenson (of) - Athletics / Giants / Phillies - 2023 Topps Heritage #508

2023 Choice Reading Fightin Phils #20

2023 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs #4

2023 Choice Reading Fightin Phils #24

2023 Choice Reading Fightin Phils #28

2023 Choice Reading Fightin Phils #29