Game 14 - Phils Falter in City Connect Uniform Debut

2023 Topps Heritage #314

Pirates 5, Phillies 2
Game 14 - Friday Night, April 12th in Philadelphia
Record - 7-7, 2nd Place, 2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies dropped a sloppy game against the Pirates on the night they debuted their long-awaited City Connect uniforms.

What It Means:  With the series now tied, the Phillies will try to recover and win a pair of weekend afternoon games today and tomorrow.

What Happened:  The energy generated by the new uniforms was not replicated on the field.  The Phillies were trailing 2-0 in the fifth when Brandon Marsh doubled and Bryson Stott singled him home.  Down 5-1, they loaded the bases in the eighth and came away with only one more run from a bases loaded walk issued to Alec Bohm.  Cristopher Sanchez was shaky on the mound, but did battle through six innings, allowing an unearned run (the error was his) on four hits while striking out six.  Yunior Marte and Ricardo Pinto allowed three more runs to score in relief.

Featured Card:  Bailey Falter started for the Pirates and took the win.  He gave up a run on four hits in his five innings of work, besting Sanchez, who essentially replaced him in the Phillies' starting pitching rotation last season.

Field Report:  Doug and I took in this game from Section 315, and we contributed to the Phillies' merchandise revenue with several City Connect related purchases.  I've long been a fan of the Phillies' blue and yellow uniform combinations from the 1930s, and I personally love the blue and yellow color combination of their new City Connect uniforms.  I would have tweaked a few things, and maybe not had the all-black pants, but overall they're not bad.  I love the hat and the yellow highlights, and I'm also a fan of the Declaration of Independence-style "Philly" font prominent on the fronts of the jerseys.

We're also happy to report our first visit to Bull's BBQ for 2024 was a success, and we're looking forward to many repeat visits throughout the summer and fall.

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 13 - Three Homers Support Suarez's Latest Win

2023 Topps #642

Phillies 5, Pirates 1
Game 13 - Thursday Night, April 11th in Philadelphia
Record - 7-6, 2nd Place, 1 game behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies connected for three home runs in support of Ranger Suarez's solid outing, taking the series opener over the Pirates, 5-1.

What It Means:  It's early and we're only 13 games into the season, but the Phillies have their first winning record of the year and they've matched the Braves in the win column.

What Happened:  Suarez was fantastic, throwing six shutout innings and striking out eight on the way to his second win of the year.  Yunior Marte and Nick Nelson held the Pirates down over the final three frames, with the Pirates scoring their only run off Nelson in the ninth.

Alec Bohm, Brandon Marsh and Bryson Stott all homered in this game, and Bohm also made a few impressive defensive plays.

Featured Card:  Somehow I've not yet featured Suarez's card from last year's Topps flagship release, so let's fix that here.

Field Report:  Jenna and I arrived fashionably late following our son's rain soaked high school baseball game, and we met up with her college friends Heather and Joe.  It was nice to actually witness a win from a baseball team I was rooting for, as I had been shut out over the first few weeks of April.

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 12 - Nola, Phils Battle Rain, Cards for Series Win

2023 Stadium Club #199

Phillies 4, Cardinals 3
Game 12 - Wednesday Afternoon, April 10th in St. Louis
Record - 6-6, 2nd Place, 2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Aaron Nola and the Phillies battled through the rain in St. Louis to win this game, 4-3, and secure the series win.

What It Means:  The Phillies open up a season-long 10-game homestead against the Pirates on Thursday night, before the Rockies and White Sox come in to town.

What Happened:  Nola won his second game, pitching six innings in a steady drizzle, allowing two runs on three hits.  Jeff Hoffman was the closer of the day, pitching a scoreless ninth to clinch his first save of the season.  The Phillies scored twice in the first on an error by center fielder Victor Scott and an RBI single from Alec Bohm.  Two more runs scored in the sixth on RBI singles from Brandon Marsh and Nick Castellanos.

Featured Card:  As I anxiously await the arrival of my Topps Heritage Phillies team set, I find myself without any more 2024 Nola baseball cards to post yet.  Here's a card not released until January 2024, but still considered to be a 2023 release.

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

Pirates at Phillies: April 11th to April 14th

1984 Topps #754

1984 Topps #564

Thursday and Friday 6:40, Saturday 4:05 and Sunday 1:35
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA

At the Ballpark:  Weather permitting, the Phillies kick off a four game series against the cross-state rival Pirates tonight.  Tonight is Asian Pacific Heritage night and tomorrow night marks the debut of the team's new City Connect jerseys.  On Sunday, all kids will receive a Phillies sleeveless hoodie.

Pirates 9-3
1st Place in the N.L. Central, 1/2 game ahead of the Brewers

Pirates Probables
Jared Jones (1-1, 3.86)
Bailey Falter (0-0, 5.40)
Marco Gonzales (0-0, 2.45)
Mitch Keller (1-1, 5.29)

Pirates Leaders
Average:  Connor Joe - .324
Runs:  Connor Joe - 11
Home Runs:  Edward Olivares - 3
RBIs:  Bryan Reynolds - 10
Stolen Bases:  Four tied with - 1

Wins:  Nine tied with - 1
ERA:  Martin Perez - 1.89
Strikeouts:  Jared Jones and Mitch Keller - 17
Saves:  Five tied with - 1

Phillies 6-6
2nd Place in the N.L. East, 2 games behind the Braves

Phillies Probables
Ranger Suarez (1-0, 4.09)
Cristopher Sanchez (0-1, 4.82)
Spencer Turnbull (1-0, 0.00)
Zack Wheeler (0-2, 1.89)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Brandon Marsh - .333
Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 8
Home Runs:  Bryce Harper and Brandon Marsh - 3
RBIs:  Three tied with - 7
Stolen Bases:  Trea Turner - 4

Wins:  Aaron Nola - 2
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 1.89
Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 20
Saves:  Jose Alvarado - 2

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 11 - Phils Can't Support Wheeler in 3-0 Loss to Cards

2021 Topps Heritage #591

Cardinals 3, Phillies 0
Game 11 - Tuesday Night, April 9th in St. Louis
Record - 5-6, Tied for 2nd Place, 2 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Zack Wheeler deserved better in this lifeless 3-0 loss to the Cardinals.

What It Means:  The Phillies would try to go for a series win on Wednesday afternoon.

What Happened:  Wheeler pitched seven strong innings, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out five.  The Phillies offense had eight singles and went 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position.  Nick Castellanos is hopefully starting to emerge from his brutal start to the season, as he had two of the eight hits.

There was a scary moment in the seventh when catcher J.T. Realmuto had a ball bounce into his throat, causing his departure from the game.  Fortunately Realmuto would return to the line-up on Wednesday.

Featured Card:  JoJo Romero, one of the Cardinals' top relievers, pitched 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief, allowing a hit and striking out four.  Romero was dealt to St. Louis in July 2022 in exchange for Edmundo Sosa, and the deal has seemingly worked out for both clubs.

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 10 - Bohm's 10th Inning Double Leads to Win

2024 Topps Big League #174

Phillies 5, Cardinals 3 (10 Innings)
Game 10 - Monday Night, April 8th in St. Louis
Record - 5-5, 2nd Place, 1 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Alec Bohm came through with a go-ahead double in the 10th as the Phillies hung on to beat the Cardinals, 5-3.

What It Means:  The Phillies reached .500 (briefly) for the first time in 2024.

What Happened:  Spencer Turnbull and Miles Mikolas were locked in a pitcher's duel at the outset of this game, with the Phillies scoring first in the fifth inning.  Three straight singles from Brandon Marsh, Garrett Stubbs and Johan Rojas resulted in the first Phillies run, and Trea Turner added a fourth single to score Stubbs.  The Cardinals got on the board in the seventh when Ivan Herrera greeted Seranthony Dominguez with a lead-off home run.  Marsh got the run back with a solo home run in the top of the ninth, making it 3-1 Phillies, but then reliever Jeff Hoffman couldn't close out the Cardinals in the bottom of the inning.  A lead-off walk, a double and a sacrifice fly plated the first run and Masyn Winn tied it with a single to left with two outs.

In the top of the 10th, ghost and pinch-runner Cristian Pache started at second, Bryce Harper was intentionally walked and Bohm doubled Pache home.  Bryson Stott would score Harper on a sacrifice fly to give Gregory Soto a two-run cushion in the bottom of the inning.  Soto earned his first save of the year.

Featured Card:  This is already the second game of the 2024 season featuring a Bohm card, and hopefully there are many more to come.  This is his card from the Topps Big League set.

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

Phillies at Cardinals: April 8th to April 10th

1984 Topps #780

1984 Topps #580

Monday and Tuesday 7:45, Wednesday 1:15
Busch Stadium - St. Louis, MO

At the Ballpark:  The Cardinals have three theme tickets available for this series, beginning with Peanuts Night tonight, College Night I on Tuesday and Béisbol in the Classroom on Wednesday afternoon.  Fans with theme night tickets tonight will receive a Cardinals-themed Peppermint Patty bobble head.

Phillies 4-5
2nd Place in the N.L. East, 2 1/2 games behind the Braves

Phillies Probables
Spencer Turnbull
Zack Wheeler
Aaron Nola

Phillies Leaders
Average:  J.T. Realmuto - .300
Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 7
Home Runs:  Bryce Harper - 3
RBIs:  Bryce Harper - 7
Stolen Bases:  Trea Turner - 3

Wins:  Four tied with - 1
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 0.75
Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 15
Saves:  Jose Alvarado - 2

Cardinals 5-5
5th Place in the N.L. Central, 3 games behind the Pirates

Cardinals Probables
Miles Mikolas (1-1, 6.10)
Sonny Gray (0-0, 0.00)
Lance Lynn (0-0, 4.15)

Cardinals Leaders
Average:  Brendan Donovan - .313
Runs:  Brendan Donovan - 7
Home Runs:  Willson Contreras and Nolan Gorman - 2
RBIs:  Nolan Gorman - 7
Stolen Bases:  Victor Scott and Masyn Winn - 1

Wins:  Five tied with - 1
ERA:  Steven Matz - 1.74

Strikeouts:  Lance Lynn - 12
Saves:  Ryan Helsley - 3

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 9 - Phils Can't Complete Sweep

2019 Topps 1984 Topps Baseball
35th Anniversary #T84-3

Nationals 3, Phillies 2
Game 9 - Sunday Afternoon, April 7th in Washington
Record - 4-5, 2nd Place, 2 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Baserunning blunders and a lack of clutch hits doomed the Phillies in this 3-2 series ending loss to the Nationals.

What It Means:  They're off to St. Louis to open a three-game series against the Cardinals on Monday night.

What Happened:  Christopher Sanchez was effective in his 4 1/3 innings, but it seemed as if he was constantly trying to work out of trouble.  He was charged with three runs on six hits and three walks, taking his first loss of the year.  The top of the line-up was a combined 2 for 20, with reserves Whit Merrifield and Edmundo Sosa generating the only offense for the day.  In the second, Merrifield singled, stole second and came home on Sosa's single to left.  In the fifth, Sosa briefly tied the game at 2-2 with a solo home run to center.  Trea Turner seemed to hit a home run in the ninth, but Jesse Winker made a leaping grab at the wall for the inning's first out.

Featured Card:  The set I'm highlighting this year with my custom Chachi cards and each series preview post is the 1984 Topps set.  Whenever I don't have an obvious selection for a game summary post, like this one, I'll feature a card that didn't make the cut for this season's upcoming series preview posts.  First up is this insert from 2019 Topps featuring current struggling Phillies shortstop Trea Turner.

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 8 - J.T. Backs Ranger with 3-Run Home Run

2024 Topps Big League #224

Phillies 5, Nationals 2
Game 8 - Saturday Afternoon, April 6th in Washington
Record - 4-4, 2nd Place, 1 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Ranger Suarez picked up his first win of 2024 and J.T. Realmuto hit a three-run home run in this 5-2 victory over the Nationals.

What It Means:  The Phillies will go for the series sweep on Sunday afternoon behind Cristopher Sanchez.

What Happened:  Suarez pitched six solid innings, allowing a two-run home run to Joey Gallo and striking out four.  Jeff Hoffman, Gregory Soto and Jose Alvarado did their jobs, with Alvarado recording his second save.  The Phillies scored first when Realmuto led off the second with a single and came home on Alec Bohm's triple.  Realmuto connected for his second home run of the season in the third after Trea Turner doubled and the Nationals intentionally walked Bryce Harper.  An insurance run was added in the ninth on Brandon Marsh's RBI single.

Featured Card:  Here's Realmuto's card from the recently released Topps Big League set.

Transaction:  Connor Brogdon (rhp) was traded to the Dodgers for minor leaguer Benony Robles (lhp).  Brogdon had been designated for assignment on Tuesday after a brutal start to his season.  Robles' only baseball card appearances to date are in Dodgers' minor league team sets.

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

2024 Chachi #2 Trea Turner

#7

Trea Vance Turner
Shortstop

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'2"  Weight:  185
Opening Day Age:  30

Born:  June 30, 1993, Boynton Beach, FL
Acquired:  Signed as a free agent with the Phillies, December 8, 2022

Contract Status:  Signed through 2033
Major League Teams:  Washington Nationals 2015-2021; Los Angeles Dodgers 2021-2022; Philadelphia Phillies 2023-2024

World Series Appearances:  Washington Nationals 2019

Trea Turner starts his second full season with the Phillies in 2024.  Turner got off to a slow start with his new team last season, and a standing ovation on August 6th by the Citizens Bank Park crowd likely helped turn his season around.  On August 19th, he became the third player in Phillies history to hit two home runs in an inning.

Turner has led the league twice in stolen bases (2018 and 2021) and won a batting title in 2021 with a .328 average.  He's a two-time All-Star and won his first Silver Slugger in 2022 after collecting a career-high 100 RBIs.  Turner helped lead the Nationals to their only World Series title in 2019.

2016 Topps #103

2018 Topps #44

2019 Topps #176

2021 Topps #203

2023 Topps #475

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2014 Bowman Draft #DP10
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (8):  2016-2023
Newest Card Added to My Phillies Collection:  2024 Topps Big League Good Vibrations #GV-16
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  34 as of 4/6/24.

Complete Chachi Checklist

2023 Chachi New Additions #1

2023 Chachi #1

2023 Chachi #54 - Two Homers in Same Inning HL

2023 Chachi #62 - NLDS Game 1

2023 Chachi #70 - NLCS Game 4

2024 Chachi #2

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

2024 Chachi #1 Kyle Schwarber / 2024 Chachi #3 Bryce Harper

Game 7 - Nola, 3 Relievers Shut Down Nationals

2024 Topps Big League #161

Phillies 4, Nationals 0
Game 7 - Friday Night, April 5th in Washington
Record - 3-4, 2nd Place, 1 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Aaron Nola had a decent rebound outing and three other relievers combined with Nola to shut out the Nationals, 4-0.

What It Means:  The Phillies need to continue to take advantage of lesser teams, not letting up during this Nationals series.

What Happened:  Nola pitched into the sixth inning, giving up a pair of hits while striking out four.  Matt Strahm, Seranthony Dominguez and Jose Alvarado shut down the Nationals the rest of the way.  The Phillies plated three runs in the first.  Alec Bohm singled, with Bryson Stott and Nick Castellanos walking to load the bases.  Brandon Marsh brought home Bohm with a sacrifice fly, and Kyle Schwarber singled home two more runs a few batters later.  Bryce Harper added an RBI single in the seventh, his third hit of the day.

Featured Card:  My 2024 Topps Big League team set arrived on Friday, and this is Nola's card from the set.  Topps Big League has taken the place of Topps Opening Day as the "low-end" set option for collectors, and I've been a fan of the set since it was first introduced in 2018.

Transaction:  The Phillies acquired Jose Rodriguez (inf) from the Chicago White Sox for cash considerations.  Rodriguez appeared in one game last year for the White Sox as a pinch-runner, scoring a run.  He's a top prospect, so it's odd the White Sox would simply let him go, and we'll have to wait and see how Rodriguez fits into the Phillies' future plans.  His rookie card appears in Topps Series One.

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

Phillies at Nationals: April 5th to April 7th

1984 Topps #613

1984 Topps #180

Friday 6:45, Saturday 4:05, Sunday 1:35
Nationals Park - Washington, DC

At the Ballpark:  The Nationals' schedule seems somewhat light on promotions, and the only thing scheduled for this weekend is Branch Appreciation Day for the National Guard tonight.

Phillies 2-4
Tied for 2nd Place in the N.L. East, 1 1/2 games behind the Braves

Phillies Probables
Aaron Nola (0-1, 12.46)
Ranger Suarez (0-0, 5.40)
Cristopher Sanchez (0-0, 3.60)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Kyle Schwarber - .280
Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 6
Home Runs:  Bryce Harper - 3
RBIs:  Bryce Harper - 6
Stolen Bases:  Trea Turner - 2

Wins:  Matt Strahm and Spencer Turnbull - 1
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 0.75
Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 15
Saves:  Jose Alvarado and Ricardo Pinto - 1

Nationals 2-4
Tied for 2nd Place in the N.L. East, 1 1/2 games behind the Braves

Nationals Probables
Patrick Corbin (0-0, 8.31)
Jake Irvin (0-0, 5.40)
MacKenzie Gore (0-0, 5.06)

Nationals Leaders
Average:  CJ Abrams and Trey Lipscomb - .333
Runs:  CJ Abrams - 5
Home Runs:  CJ Abrams - 2
RBIs:  CJ Abrams - 5
Stolen Bases:  CJ Abrams - 3

Wins:  Hunter Harvey and Trevor Williams - 1
ERA:  Josiah Gray - 14.04

Strikeouts:  Josiah Gray - 9
Saves:  Kyle Finnegan - 2

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 6 - Phils Can't Overcome Reds, Rain in Latest Loss

2020 Topps Chrome Update
Autographs #USA-NM

Reds 4, Phillies 1
Game 6 - Wednesday Night, April 3rd in Philadelphia
Record - 2-4, 3rd Place, 1 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Zack Wheeler pitched well, but once again a lack of offense and shaky defense sunk the Phils in this rainy 4-1 loss to the Reds.

What It Means:  Originally scheduled for 1:05 on Wednesday afternoon, this game was moved to 4:05 on account of the rain in the forecast, and then delayed almost four hours before the first pitch was thrown around 8pm.  The Phillies' offense looked as if they couldn't get it going after the lengthy wait to play.

What Happened:  From the Phillies standpoint, not a whole lot.  The Phillies pushed across a run when Kyle Schwarber lined a home run into the right field bleachers in the sixth inning.  Other than that, the offense had five singles and went 0 for 2 with runners in scoring position.  Trea Turner and Nick Castellanos went a combined 0 for 6, dropping their averages to .217 and .150 respectively.  Wheeler allowed three runs, but only one earned, while striking out 10.  Bryson Stott had a rare error in the third inning, leading to the two unearned runs.

Featured Card:  Reds' DH Nick Martini went 1 for 4 in this game, and he's coming back down to earth after hitting two opening day home runs.  Martini spent all of 2020 in the Phillies' system as part of the pandemic-era taxi squad hanging out in Lehigh Valley.  He never appeared in a game, but that didn't stop Topps from giving him a Phillies card in the 2020 Topps Chrome Update set.

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 5 - Harper Homers Three Times in Win Over Reds

2024 Topps 1989 Topps Baseball
35th Anniversary #89B-23

Phillies 9, Reds 4
Game 1 - Tuesday Night, April 2nd in Philadelphia
Record - 2-3, 2nd Place, 1 game behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Bryce Harper's three home run barrage supported a stellar pitching effort from Spencer Turnbull and Ricardo Pinto as the Phillies defeated the Reds, 9-4.

What It Means:  April showers have stalled over our area and it's not stopped raining for days.  The Phillies and Reds played through a steady mist in this game and they'll attempt to get the series finale in on Wednesday afternoon or night.

What Happened:  Turnbull made his Phillies debut on a soggy night, impressing over five innings and allowing just one unearned run while striking out seven.  Pinto entered in the sixth and secured a four-inning save, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and striking out four.

Harper was the offensive star.  His first hit of the year was his first inning solo home run.  His second hit of the year was his fourth inning solo home run, and it was also his 1,000th career run scored.  And he capped his night with a seventh inning grand slam.  Brandon Marsh also had three hits, including an eighth inning solo home run.

Featured Card:  Of course Harper gets the card, an insert from the recently released Topps Series One, but on any other night the featured card would have gone to Turnbull or even Pinto.  Harper's big night resulted in the first Topps Now Phillies card of the season.

Transaction:  Beleaguered reliever Connor Brogdon (rhp) was designated for assignment and Pinto (rhp) had his contract selected by the Phillies.  Pinto's appearance was his first in the majors since September 1, 2019, and his first game with the Phillies since September 21, 2017.

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

2024 Chachi #1 Kyle Schwarber

#12

Kyle Joseph Schwarber
Designated Hitter

Bats:  Left  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'0"  Weight:  229
Opening Day Age:  31

Born:  March 5, 1993, Middletown, OH
Acquired:  Signed as a free agent with the Phillies, March 20, 2022

Contract Status:  Signed through 2025

Major League Teams:  Chicago Cubs 2015-2020; Washington Nationals 2021; Boston Red Sox 2021; Philadelphia Phillies 2022-2024

World Series Appearances:  Chicago Cubs 2016; Philadelphia Phillies 2022

Kyle Schwarber hit just .197 in 2023, but reached career highs in home runs (47), RBIs (104) and games played (160).  He also led the league with 215 strikeouts and his 126 walks were tied for second most in the league.  In 13 postseason games, Schwarber batted .255 with five home runs and six RBIs.  Definitely not a prototypical lead-off hitter, Schwarber nevertheless again assumed the lead-off spot on May 2nd when Bryce Harper returned to the line-up, and would end up batting there in 108 games.  In 2022, his first year with the Phillies, Schwarber batted .218, but led the league with 46 home runs.  His average was the same in the postseason (12 for 55) and he connected for six home runs.

Originally drafted by the Cubs as their first round pick in 2014, Schwarber missed almost the entire 2016 season with a torn ACL in his left knee, but he returned in time to help the Cubs win the World Series.  He departed Chicago following the 2020 season via free agency, spending the 2021 season with both the Nationals and the Red Sox.  He's a two-time All-Star (2021 and 2022) and was a Silver Slugger recipient in 2022.

2016 Topps #66

2019 Topps #349

2021 Topps #473

2022 Topps Update #US88

2024 Topps #136

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2014 Bowman Draft #DP2
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (9):  2016-2024
Newest Card Added to My Phillies Collection:  2024 Topps #275
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  66 as of 4/2/24.

Complete Chachi Checklist

2022 Chachi New Additions #12 
2022 Chachi #1

2022 Chachi #53 - Home Run Derby

2022 Chachi #55 - All-Star

2022 Chachi #72 - NLDS Game 2

2022 Chachi #84 - World Series Game 2

2022 Chachi Friendly Encounters #14

2023 Chachi Previews #4

2023 Chachi #2

2023 Chachi #67 - NLCS Game 1

2023 Chachi #71 - NLCS Game 5

2023 Chachi Series Previews #2

2024 Chachi #1

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

2023 Chachi #74 Zack Wheeler HL / 2024 Chachi #2 Trea Turner

Game 4 - Quiet Bats and Brogdon Lead to Loss in Extras to Reds

2022 Choice Lehigh Valley
IronPigs #7

Reds 6, Phillies 3 (10 Innings)
Game 4 - Monday Night, April 1st in Philadelphia
Record - 1-3, Tied for 2nd Place, 2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  A lack of timely hitting and Connor Brogdon's relief work were the downfall for the Phillies in this 6-3 extra inning, series opening loss to the Reds.

What It Means:  If the rain stays away, the Phillies will attempt to even the series on Tuesday night.

What Happened:  The Phillies jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first when Kyle Schwarber singled, Trea Turner walked and Alec Bohm doubled them both home.  The offense was quiet for most of the rest of the night.

Cristopher Sanchez got the start and was working on a shutout until the sixth inning.  He departed with no outs and runners on first and second and then Jeff Hoffman allowed back-to-back singles to Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Jeimer Candelario, tying up the game.  Connor Brogdon entered in the 10th, allowing two straight walks which loaded the bases, given the ghost runner to start the inning at second.  Spencer Steer then hit a crushing grand slam to give the Reds a 6-2 lead.  The Phillies would score in the bottom of the 10th on an RBI infield single from Trea Turner, but it wasn't enough.

Featured Card:  Connor Brogdon, a key member of the Phillies bullpen when they went to the World Series in 2022, has struggled mightily the past two seasons.  He's got a 27.00 ERA through two innings pitched in three appearances so far this season, giving up runs in each outing.  Brogdon's time with the Phillies may be coming to a close, as he's expected to lose his roster spot once Orion Kerkering is activated from the Injured List.  This is his card from the 2022 IronPigs team set.

Field Report:  We enjoyed (?) this game from the Diamond Club, our first full family baseball outing of the season.  The wind and rain held off for the most part, and overall it was a fun night until the 10th inning.

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

Reds at Phillies: April 1st to April 3rd

1984 Topps #607

1984 Topps #385

Monday and Tuesday 6:40, Wednesday 1:05
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA

At the Ballpark:  With Dollar Dog Nights dead in 2024, the first of the less popular Hatfield Phillies Franks BOGO Nights is on Tuesday.

Reds 2-1
3rd Place in the N.L. Central, 1 1/2 games behind the Pirates

Reds Probables
Andrew Abbott (0-0, 0.00)
Graham Ashcraft (0-0, 0.00)
Frankie Montas (1-0, 0.00)

Reds Leaders
Average:  Nick Martini - .500
Runs:  Three tied with - 3
Home Runs:  Nick Martini - 2
RBIs:  Nick Martini - 7
Stolen Bases:  Bubba Thompson - 2

Wins:  Frankie Montas and Lucas Sims - 1
ERA:  Frankie Montas - 1
Strikeouts:  Hunter Greene - 7
Saves:  N/A

Phillies 1-2
Tied for 2nd Place in the N.L. East, 1 game behind the Braves

Phillies Probables
Cristopher Sanchez (0-0, 0.00)
Spencer Turnbull (0-0, 0.00)
Zack Wheeler (0-0, 0.00)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Bryson Stott - .444
Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 3
Home Runs:  Three tied with - 1
RBIs:  Four tied with - 2
Stolen Bases:  Five tied with - 1

Wins:  Matt Strahm - 1
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 0.00

Strikeouts:  Ranger Suarez - 7
Saves:  Jose Alvarado - 1

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Game 3 - Bohm's Big Single Leads to Much-Needed Win

2024 Topps #266

Phillies 5, Braves 4
Game 3 - Sunday Afternoon, March 31st in Philadelphia
Record - 1-2, Tied for 2nd Place, 1 game behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies rallied from behind and the bullpen did its job, hanging on to avert the series sweep in this 5-4 win over the Braves.

What It Means:  The Phillies flip the calendar to April and open a three-game series against the Reds before heading on the road to Washington and St. Louis.

What Happened:  Ranger Suarez allowed a two-run first inning home run to Ozzie Albies and then settled in for the next few innings before the Braves scored again in the fourth.  Leading off the bottom  of the first, Kyle Schwarber lined the first pitch he saw from starter Chris Sale into the right field bleachers.  Schwarber grounded into a double play in the fifth with the bases loaded, scoring another run, and cutting the Braves lead to 3-2.

In the bottom of the seventh, Bryson Stott walked to lead off the inning.  With one out, Johan Rojas grounded to shortstop and just beat out the throw to first as Stott was forced out for the inning's second out.  Three straight singles led to the Phillies comeback and ultimate victory.  Kyle Schwarber singled to center, and Trea Turner singled to right to score Rojas.  Alec Bohm then singled to left, scoring Schwarber and Turner and giving the Phillies a 5-3 lead.  The Braves would threaten, scoring a run off Seranthony Dominguez in the eighth, but Jose Alvarado retired the Braves in order in the ninth to record his first save of the season.

Featured Card:  Bohm gets the card for his big two-out, two-run single and this his base card from Topps Series One.

Transaction:  Before the game, Luis F. Ortiz (rhp) landed on the 15-day Injured List with a left ankle sprain suffered in Saturday's game.  Nick Nelson (rhp) was recalled from Lehigh Valley to take his place in the bullpen.

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Game 2 - Not How the Season was Supposed to Start

2020 Topps Opening Day
Ballpark Profile Autographs #BPA-DB

Braves 12, Phillies 4
Game 2 - Saturday Afternoon, March 30th in Philadelphia
Record - 0-2, Tied for 3rd Place, 2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Aaron Nola was hit early and often in his season debut as the Braves throttled the Phillies, 12-4.

What It Means:  It's early, but the Phillies have looked flat and the pitching (save Zack Wheeler and a few relievers) has been bad in the team's first two games.  They'll try to avoid the early season sweep behind Ranger Suarez on Easter Sunday afternoon.

What Happened:  Nola was behind 2-0 before the crowd could settle back into their seats following a 27-minute rain at the outset of the game.  The Phillies retaliated quickly in the bottom of the first, with a questionable bases loaded walk to Nick Castellanos and a two-run single from Bryson Stott.  Stott's hit chased Braves' starter Max Fried from the game.  But the Braves bullpen regained control from that point while Nola, and the Phillies bullpen, did not.  Nola's final line was ugly - 4 1/3 innings, 12 hits, seven earned runs, including a pair of home runs allowed.  The only other excitement for Phillies fans came in the third when J.T. Realmuto hit a solo home run.

Featured Card/Field Report:  Jenna and I attended this game, our first of the season, and 20 years since our first visit to Citizens Bank Park in 2004.  We waited out the rain delay inside Pass & Stowe, and we can highly recommend their french fries.  Like many from the sell-out crowd, we made our way to the exits around the seventh inning as the rain returned and intensified.

One of the highlights for me each year upon the return of Phillies baseball is the ambiance of Citizens Bank Park.  The Phillies have always known how to do pregame ceremonies the right way, and this year was no different with first pitches thrown out yesterday by Eagles' greats Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox.  Dan Baker, the public address announcer, celebrating his 52nd year with the club, was front and center during the ceremonies and it was refreshing to hear his voice yet again after a long, cold winter.  So I'll give Baker the card here as Topps gave him an autographed card in its 2020 Topps Opening Day set.

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Game 1 - Phils' Bullpen Can't Preserve Win for Wheeler

2024 Topps #71

Braves 9, Phillies 3
Game 1 - Friday Afternoon, March 29th in Philadelphia
Record - 0-1, Tied for 2nd Place, 1 game behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Zack Wheeler was ace-like, but a lack of Phillies offense and miserable outings from three relievers led to this 9-3 loss to the Braves.

What It Means:  For the second opening day in a row, the Phillies suffered through a pitching meltdown, leading to a loss.  Last year, it was Aaron Nola, Gregory Soto and Connor Brogdon who allowed nine Rangers runs in the fourth inning in Arlington.

We originally had tickets to this game, but the weather and high school baseball happenings ruined our chances of going.  Not counting the 2020 season, this was the first Phillies home opener I've missed since the 2014 season.  I'm planning on starting my next home opener streak in 2025.  We watched some of the pregame ceremonies on TV, at least what was broadcast, with the best highlight being Charlie Manual throwing out the first pitch to his catcher, Larry Bowa.  Manuel had suffered a stroke during the offseason.

What Happened:  Wheeler and Spencer Strider delivered a pitcher's dual, with Wheeler departing after six innings after protecting the Phillies 2-0 lead.  Wheeler allowed five hits and struck out five and was on his way to his first win of the season if not for Matt Strahm, Jose Alvarado and Brogdon.  Those three relievers combined to allow all nine Braves runs in 1 1/3 innings, on seven hits and three walks.  Alvarado was hit particularly hard, earning the loss and starting his 2024 season with an unsightly 67.50 ERA.

Featured Card:  Brandon Marsh provided the offensive excitement for the Phillies, hitting a two-run home run in the fifth after Bryson Stott had singled to start the inning.  This is Marsh's base card from Topps Series One.

Transactions:  On Thursday, the Phillies whittled down their active roster from 31 to 26 by placing five players on the injured list - Dylan Covey (rhp), Orion Kerkering (rhp), Rafael Marchan (c), Michael Rucker (rhp) and Taijuan Walker (rhp).

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