2025 Phillies Thread
- Thread starter Tom McAndrew
- Start date
As the sun set on Spring Training 2025, random thoughts from Clearwater-
1- Biggest story - Ranger. I can’t believe where we are as the season starts. In a contract year, I thought Ranger would be in the best shape of his career given the money at stake and place in the Phillies planning beyond this year.
Instead, we face Ranger basically needing another Spring Training timeline to get ready. The biggest advantage the Phillies had in their projected starting 5 has been neutralized out of the gate as the Phillies face another season start with a black hole at #5 with Walker. They will skip him to the extent possible and it’s manageable if Ranger is good to go May 1, but I’m concerned with Ranger.
2- What needs to go right? Daycare takes a step forward. Bohm, Stott, and Marsh are absolutely critical. If there is a parade in November, it will likely be because Daycare all stepped forward. Bohm will be fine, Stott and Marsh are keys to creating length in the lineup.
They need to squeeze one more year out of Nick and they also need to have Alvarado and Strahm be successful from the left side out of the pen and BOTH contribute. I think Kepler will be an upgrade and I think Painter will provide a lot of juice if he arrives in July and is as advertised. The rotation can be dominant and there is the real chance that they have MULTIPLE All Stars and CY finalists on their staff.
3- What can go wrong? Ranger isn't right and they slip on the #5 banana peel for half the season at least until Painter arrives. If Ranger is a problem and Painter is forced to start, it removes the possibility of different roles for Painter that might increase his contribution this year. I love the prospect of Painter in the pen post season. That might not be a possibility if he uses his 2025 innings only as a regular season starter.
I’m a tad concerned with the left side of the pen. If Strahm isn’t healthy it puts too much of a load on Alvarado. They need BOTH of these guys to be healthy and effective.
Offensively, if Daycare doesn’t provide length and there is any slippage in the core, they could struggle to score consistently.
Prediction - I actually like where they are in that everyone has conceded the pennant to the Dodgers or healthier Braves. The Phillies are not the hunted. If they catch some breaks they could be the last team standing. I have no idea and feel more uncertain this year compared to the last couple years.
I sat there on multiple days in Clearwater watching eagles flying over the field. That has to be a sign. Grease the poles.
1- Biggest story - Ranger. I can’t believe where we are as the season starts. In a contract year, I thought Ranger would be in the best shape of his career given the money at stake and place in the Phillies planning beyond this year.
Instead, we face Ranger basically needing another Spring Training timeline to get ready. The biggest advantage the Phillies had in their projected starting 5 has been neutralized out of the gate as the Phillies face another season start with a black hole at #5 with Walker. They will skip him to the extent possible and it’s manageable if Ranger is good to go May 1, but I’m concerned with Ranger.
2- What needs to go right? Daycare takes a step forward. Bohm, Stott, and Marsh are absolutely critical. If there is a parade in November, it will likely be because Daycare all stepped forward. Bohm will be fine, Stott and Marsh are keys to creating length in the lineup.
They need to squeeze one more year out of Nick and they also need to have Alvarado and Strahm be successful from the left side out of the pen and BOTH contribute. I think Kepler will be an upgrade and I think Painter will provide a lot of juice if he arrives in July and is as advertised. The rotation can be dominant and there is the real chance that they have MULTIPLE All Stars and CY finalists on their staff.
3- What can go wrong? Ranger isn't right and they slip on the #5 banana peel for half the season at least until Painter arrives. If Ranger is a problem and Painter is forced to start, it removes the possibility of different roles for Painter that might increase his contribution this year. I love the prospect of Painter in the pen post season. That might not be a possibility if he uses his 2025 innings only as a regular season starter.
I’m a tad concerned with the left side of the pen. If Strahm isn’t healthy it puts too much of a load on Alvarado. They need BOTH of these guys to be healthy and effective.
Offensively, if Daycare doesn’t provide length and there is any slippage in the core, they could struggle to score consistently.
Prediction - I actually like where they are in that everyone has conceded the pennant to the Dodgers or healthier Braves. The Phillies are not the hunted. If they catch some breaks they could be the last team standing. I have no idea and feel more uncertain this year compared to the last couple years.
I sat there on multiple days in Clearwater watching eagles flying over the field. That has to be a sign. Grease the poles.
I’ll be at 2 of 3 here in DC this weekend. I’m looking forward to some baseball!
Awesome, enjoy it. I wanted to come down there on Saturday, but we had to reschedule baseball practices for both my kids to this Saturday.
Bummed out, but I’m taking them down to CBP next Thursday. Of course, that’s looking like the Taijuan Walker game (just my luck) but we’ll make it a fun day. I’m excited.
I was hoping Moniak would like the change of scenery and find some success with the Angels. Hate to see the former #1 overall pick underachieve, especially when it was the Phils who drafted him. It looked like he was turning the corner in 2023. Hopefully someone signs him gets him going again.
All I can say is F Comcast! I tried to sign up for the NBC Sports Philly package on Peacock, zip code said I could get it, guess not. Got free MLB Extra Innings from Directv, can usually watch Phillies on away team broadcast, not friggin today, blacked out. How in the hell does someone who lives in NEPA get blacked out for friggin Phillies games.
Rant over!
Rant over!
For a sport which is reportedly losing viewership, MLB and the stupid blackout rules certainly aren't making things better. It's almost as if they're trying to chase potential viewers away.All I can say is F Comcast! I tried to sign up for the NBC Sports Philly package on Peacock, zip code said I could get it, guess not. Got free MLB Extra Innings from Directv, can usually watch Phillies on away team broadcast, not friggin today, blacked out. How in the hell does someone who lives in NEPA get blacked out for friggin Phillies games.
Rant over!
Ironically, I am able to see every Yankees, Mets and Pirates game but no Phillies.
All that time spent in spring training working on not chasing is really paying off.
Top 8th… Marsh gets a violation which results in a strike call during his at bat. Can somebody tell me what he did? WTF!
I stream most games but kept getting an error message today. I could even get the Phils radio broadcast. Turns out there was an MLB.TV outage which would explain your issue. Not a good look on opening day.All I can say is F Comcast! I tried to sign up for the NBC Sports Philly package on Peacock, zip code said I could get it, guess not. Got free MLB Extra Innings from Directv, can usually watch Phillies on away team broadcast, not friggin today, blacked out. How in the hell does someone who lives in NEPA get blacked out for friggin Phillies games.
Rant over!