The final four are set, the lockout clock is ticking, and the Phillies' offseason is already taking shape. Josh Liddick and Austin Myers break it all down on Catchin’ Phils.

The Brewers opened the NLCS with a 2-1 victory over the Dodgers in a pitcher’s duel, and the Guardians and Rays are set for the ALCS. Three of the four remaining teams are small or mid-market clubs, with the CBA expiring December 1. So what does that mean for the salary cap fight? Josh and Austin dig into it, and into what the Phillies can learn from teams that built through player development.

Then it's on to the Phillies' offseason. Austin makes the case for locking up Don Mattingly. Josh makes the case for Aidan Miller, who is tearing up the Arizona Fall League, as the third baseman in 2027. They also get into the Japanese posting window, which opens November 1, and why Teruaki Sato, the Hanshin Tigers' Triple Crown winner, could be a fit.

Plus, a rough stretch for Philly sports. The Eagles' last-second loss in London puts Nick Sirianni's game management under the microscope, the Flyers are still searching for their first win, and the Sixers tip off with LeBron on October 20. The guys also shout out the Union, who might be the most fun team in the city right now.

Is this the year small-market baseball finally takes down the Dodgers?

Follow and leave a five-star review for Catchin’ Phils: A Phillies Podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeartRadio⁠⁠⁠⁠, and subscribe to Josh Liddick (⁠⁠⁠⁠Red Pinstripe Press⁠⁠⁠⁠) and Austin Myers (⁠⁠⁠⁠Phillies Perspective⁠⁠⁠⁠) on Substack to get their latest work straight to your inbox. The podcast is also streaming weekly on the Catchin' Phils ⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠.

Follow Catchin’ Phils on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter/X for more content.

Episode timestamps:

00:00 — Intro and episode preview

00:26 — LCS kickoff: Brewers edge Dodgers in NLCS Game 1

02:11 — Small markets take over October

09:09 — Could the Phillies have hung with the final four?

14:20 — Picking our dream World Series

17:40 — CBA looming: Salary cap, parity and the Dodgers

26:18 — Buying talent vs. player development: The Phillies problem

28:38 — Phillies offseason priorities: The manager question

38:33 — Aidan Miller and the third base plan

42:48 — Teruaki Sato and the Japanese posting window

48:26 — Eagles heartbreak in London: Is Sirianni on the hot seat?

56:36 — Flyers winless start

1:00:24 — Sixers opening night and LeBron

1:04:02 — Shoutout to the Union

1:07:40 — Wrap-up

Nearly a week removed from the Phillies’ early playoff defeat, it’s time to take a step back and evaluate where the team stands heading into a pivotal offseason.

In this episode, Josh Liddick and Austin Myers hand out offseason grades for the Phillies’ offense, defense, bench, starting rotation, bullpen, and coaching staff. They also revisit some of their preseason and midseason projections to see what they got right — and what they got very wrong.

Then, the conversation turns toward the offseason ahead. With the MLB CBA set to expire in December, what should be at the top of the Phillies’ priority list? Could the team move on from Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott, or Brandon Marsh? How important is adding an infielder or multiple outfielders? And what should the Phillies do at manager?

With Alex Cora no longer expected to manage in 2027 and reports from Matt Gelb and Jayson Stark that the Phillies are considering retaining Don Mattingly, the guys discuss whether Mattingly has done enough to earn another season — or whether it’s time for a new voice.

Finally, Josh and Austin look around the MLB postseason, breaking down the NLDS and ALDS matchups and discussing which teams have stood out as the LCS picture begins to take shape.

Follow and leave a five-star review for Catchin’ Phils: A Phillies Podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeartRadio⁠⁠⁠⁠, and subscribe to Josh Liddick (⁠⁠⁠⁠Red Pinstripe Press⁠⁠⁠⁠) and Austin Myers (⁠⁠⁠⁠Phillies Perspective⁠⁠⁠⁠) on Substack to get their latest work straight to your inbox. The podcast is also streaming weekly on the Catchin' Phils ⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠.

Follow Catchin’ Phils on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter/X for more content.

Episode timestamps:

00:20 Offseason Reflections on the Phillies

13:14 Analyzing the Phillies' Performance

24:15 Future Prospects and Team Development

30:58 Evaluating Player Performance: Strengths and Weaknesses

33:40 Defensive Versatility and Adaptability

36:06 Bench Improvement: A Closer Look

40:06 Rotation Strength: Key Pitchers and Their Impact

49:13 Bullpen Struggles: Analyzing the Weak Links

54:37 Managing Changes: Don Mattingly's Impact and Future

Recorded live on YouTube immediately after the final out, Josh Liddick and Austin Myers react to a 6-2 loss in Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series that ends the Phillies' 2026 season in Atlanta and sends them on a flight back to Philly.

It was quiet from the very start. Braves lefty Ray Kerr shut down the Phillies offense, Atlanta scored three in the first off Aaron Nola, and the Phillies never found an answer. The guys debate whether Zack Wheeler should have started Game 3 instead, though they agree the offense—not the rotation—was the real problem.

The guys pay respects to Alec Bohm's likely final game in a Phillies uniform, get into the bigger picture: baserunning mistakes, inconsistent leadership, and a core that's now taken a step back in each of the last several postseasons, and revel in likely Don Mattingly's final managerial decision: inserting Otto Kemp as a pinch hitter.

Looking ahead, it's a pivotal offseason for John Middleton, Dave Dombrowski, and the front office, with money coming off the books and real questions about how this roster needs to change. Josh and Austin close out their first season of the podcast with thanks to listeners and a preview of what's coming during the offseason.

Is this core still good enough to get over the hump, and where does this organization go from here?

Follow and leave a five-star review for Catchin’ Phils: A Phillies Podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeartRadio⁠⁠⁠⁠, and subscribe to Josh Liddick (⁠⁠⁠⁠Red Pinstripe Press⁠⁠⁠⁠) and Austin Myers (⁠⁠⁠⁠Phillies Perspective⁠⁠⁠⁠) on Substack to get their latest work straight to your inbox. The podcast is also streaming weekly on the Catchin' Phils ⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠.

Follow Catchin’ Phils on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter/X for more content.

Episode timestamps:

00:00 – Phillies season ends, falling 6-2 in game three
01:12 – A low-event dud with no momentum from yesterday's win
02:32 – Crediting the Braves and Walt Weiss's managing
04:48 – Ray Kerr's dominant start silences the offense
05:55 – Harper, Schwarber, and Turner lead into the next era
06:41 – Zack Wheeler's future and a shortened 2027 season
09:10 – Learning from the lost 2020 season
11:34 – The five-year window and the fear of stepping back again
13:26 – Otto Kemp's rough final at-bat
14:41 – Second-guessing the decision to start Nola over Wheeler
16:37 – Flexibility this offseason and what has to change
21:24 – Braves ticket prices and a flat atmosphere in Atlanta
21:51 – A season that could never fully right itself after a slow start
23:39 – Base-running mistakes and accountability among leaders
25:56 – Comparing this ending to last year's collapse
27:08 – A slow death versus last year's sudden one
28:07 – Grateful for a first season of postseason podcasts
28:44 – Closing thoughts, thank-yous, and what's next for the show

Recorded live on YouTube moments after the final out, Josh Liddick and Austin Myers break down a heroic Phillies’ 4-3 Game 2 victory over the Braves.

Philadelphia rallied from a 3-1 deficit to stun the Braves in 10 innings and force a decisive Game 3 in the NL Wild Card Series. Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper went back-to-back in the eighth to tie the game before Alec Bohm delivered the game-winning solo homer in the 10th.

Andrew Painter was huge out of the bullpen, throwing three scoreless innings to close out the victory, while Cristopher Sánchez battled through 6⅔ innings.

Now, it all comes down to one game.

The guys break down the wild comeback, the biggest moments, and what the Phillies need to do to win the next one.

Can the Phillies advance to the NLDS? Catchin’ Phils will be live on YouTube following Game 3 to debrief.

Follow and leave a five-star review for Catchin’ Phils: A Phillies Podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeartRadio⁠⁠⁠⁠, and subscribe to Josh Liddick (⁠⁠⁠⁠Red Pinstripe Press⁠⁠⁠⁠) and Austin Myers (⁠⁠⁠⁠Phillies Perspective⁠⁠⁠⁠) on Substack to get their latest work straight to your inbox. The podcast is also streaming weekly on the Catchin' Phils ⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠.

Follow Catchin’ Phils on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter/X for more content.

Episode timestamps:

00:20 Phillies' Dramatic Game Two Victory

03:26 Alec Bohm's Heroics and Future Prospects

06:24 Pitching Performances and Team Resilience

09:21 The Importance of Mental Toughness

12:17 Looking Ahead: Game Three and Beyond

24:34 The Value of Catching in Playoff Baseball

27:57 Do or Die: The Importance of Game Three

31:01 Pitching Strategies: Wheeler vs. Nola

36:44 Trusting the Bullpen: Nola's Role

39:44 All Hands on Deck: The Pitching Staff's Commitment

43:27 Looking Ahead: Game Three Preview and Stats

Recorded live on YouTube moments after the final out, Josh Liddick and Austin Myers break down a 5-3 Game 1 loss to the Braves that puts the Phillies on the brink of elimination.

Jesús Luzardo was the story early, working as the opener and pitching five brilliant innings just weeks removed from a shoulder injury. Alec Bohm's RBI double got the Phillies on the board early, and after the Braves took the lead off Alex McFarlane, J.T. Realmuto's two-RBI triple gave the Phillies a 3-2 lead in the seventh.

That’s when the bullpen unraveled. Jhoan Duran came into the game in the seventh, getting within one out of handing off a clean ninth, but instead gave up a three-run homer to Austin Riley that proved to be the dagger.

Looking ahead, the Phillies face elimination Wednesday with Cristopher Sánchez on the mound against Tyler Mahle and the Braves. The guys dig into who's actually available out of the bullpen, the lineup questions with Edmundo Sosa presumably banged up, and a grim historical stat to close it out: the Phillies have never won a postseason series after losing Game 1.

Can the Phillies avoid a repeat of their recent Game 1-lead-blowing history, or is this season over on Wednesday?

Follow and leave a five-star review for Catchin’ Phils: A Phillies Podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeartRadio⁠⁠⁠⁠, and subscribe to Josh Liddick (⁠⁠⁠⁠Red Pinstripe Press⁠⁠⁠⁠) and Austin Myers (⁠⁠⁠⁠Phillies Perspective⁠⁠⁠⁠) on Substack to get their latest work straight to your inbox. The podcast is also streaming weekly on the Catchin' Phils ⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠.

Follow Catchin’ Phils on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter/X for more content.

Episode timestamps:

00:00 – Phillies fall in game one, on the brink of elimination

01:45 – Bullpen, not the matchup, is what lost this game

04:02 – Duran's line and the broadcast confusion over who's next

06:19 – Jesús Luzardo's brilliant start as the opener

08:32 – Why the extension made this start possible

10:13 – Taking Luzardo out early and saving him for game three

14:47 – Alec Bohm's RBI double gets the Phillies on the board

16:15 – Alex McFarlane's high-leverage sixth inning

18:23 – Second-guessing the bullpen decisions

21:32 – Could Duran have been saved for a two-inning save?

25:25 – Broadcast gripes and missing the local call

26:38 – The plan behind bringing Duran in for the seventh

28:12 – Austin Riley's history of torching the Phillies

29:38 – How close Duran came to pulling it off

31:35 – J.T. Realmuto's clutch triple in the seventh

34:46 – Breaking down the lineup construction

36:20 – Setting up game two: Sánchez vs. Mahle

38:29 – Who's actually available out of the bullpen on Wednesday

40:34 – Tipping the hand for a game three starter

43:09 – Closing thought: the Phillies have never won a series after losing game one

The Phillies are headed to Atlanta for a third postseason matchup with the Braves in five seasons — and there are plenty of questions heading into Game 1.

Jesús Luzardo gets the ball Tuesday, but how long will he actually pitch? Andrew Painter is expected to be available out of the bullpen, while Cristopher Sánchez is lined up for Game 2 and Aaron Nola could get the start in a potential Game 3. And where does Zack Wheeler fit into the equation?

Josh Liddick and Austin Myers break down the Phillies’ Wild Card roster, including Luis Arraez being left off with an ankle sprain and Otto Kemp taking his place. They also discuss the decision to carry three catchers, the remaining bullpen questions and what the Phillies’ lineup has historically done against Atlanta.

Plus, the guys revisit the Phillies-Braves postseason history from 2022 and 2023, examine the key head-to-head numbers for Philadelphia’s hitters and pitchers, and make their predictions for the entire National League Wild Card Series slate.

Can the Phillies take care of business in Atlanta and advance to the NLDS?

Follow and leave a five-star review for Catchin’ Phils: A Phillies Podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeartRadio⁠⁠⁠⁠, and subscribe to Josh Liddick (⁠⁠⁠⁠Red Pinstripe Press⁠⁠⁠⁠) and Austin Myers (⁠⁠⁠⁠Phillies Perspective⁠⁠⁠⁠) on Substack to get their latest work straight to your inbox. The podcast is also streaming weekly on the Catchin' Phils ⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠.

Follow Catchin’ Phils on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter/X for more content.

Episode timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to the Playoff Series

02:57 Phillies vs. Braves: A Rivalry Renewed

05:56 Pitching Concerns and Strategies

09:01 Game One Preview: Lazardo's Role

12:06 Game Two and Three Predictions

14:48 Roster Changes and Player Availability

17:46 Final Thoughts and Expectations

32:15 Postseason Roster Decisions and Managerial Strategies

34:43 Rivalry Dynamics: Phillies vs. Braves

37:59 Playoff Atmosphere and Fan Engagement

39:06 Pitching Matchups and Their Impact

41:02 Key Player Performances and Historical Context

45:24 Exploiting Weaknesses: Phillies vs. Braves

48:32 Home Field Advantage: Myth or Reality?

50:01 Predictions and Expectations for the Series

Recorded live on YouTube moments after the final out, Josh Liddick and Austin Myers provide their instant reactions to a Game 162 win that sent the Phillies back to the postseason for the fifth consecutive year.

It took a week from hell against the Brewers and Rays, but the Phillies came through when it mattered most. Zack Wheeler closed the door on the final day, going six strong innings before Alex McFarlane, Jesús Luzardo, and Jhoan Duran finished the job out of the bullpen. The win avoided what would have been the franchise's worst collapse since 1964.

The offense showed up, too. J.T. Realmuto snapped an 0-for-34 skid with a big double, Bryson Stott went 3-for-3 out of the cleanup spot, and Bryce Harper and Edmundo Sosa each went deep. Josh and Austin also break down the lineup changes that worked and the case for keeping Trea Turner at leadoff.

Then it's on to Atlanta for the NL Wild Card Series. With Luis Arráez on the mend from his ankle sprain and the roster shrinking down to 26 men, the guys break down the rotation puzzle for Game 1, who makes the cut, and what the rest of the Wild Card slate looks like. Game 1 is Tuesday at 2 p.m. on NBC.

Can the momentum from a celebration on Sunday translate into October success, or did the Phillies spend all their magic just getting in?

Follow and leave a five-star review for Catchin’ Phils: A Phillies Podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeartRadio⁠⁠⁠⁠, and subscribe to Josh Liddick (⁠⁠⁠⁠Red Pinstripe Press⁠⁠⁠⁠) and Austin Myers (⁠⁠⁠⁠Phillies Perspective⁠⁠⁠⁠) on Substack to get their latest work straight to your inbox. The podcast is also streaming weekly on the Catchin' Phils ⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠.

Follow Catchin’ Phils on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter/X for more content.

Episode timestamps:

00:00 – Phillies clinch: surviving a weekend from hell

01:30 – Five straight playoff appearances and what it means

03:14 – One of the best runs in franchise history (and a near collapse)

05:37 – Momentum, champagne (ugh), and the mood heading to Atlanta

09:16 – Looking ahead: Braves, Dodgers, and how to get back to CBP

13:36 – Recapping the clinching game and a shoutout to the D-Backs

16:47 – Wheeler as the closer and Turner back at leadoff

20:38 – Austin's bold preseason prediction and Luzardo's return

21:52 – Stott and the doubles that powered the offense(s)

28:28 – Game 1 lineup: Sosa, Harper, and Bohm

32:51 – Cutting down to the 26-man roster

39:43 – Arráez's ankle injury and what it means

41:44 – The rotation puzzle for the Wild Card Series

48:25 – Wild Card schedule and matchups around the league

51:56 – Closing thoughts

The magic number to clinch a playoff spot is three—but with the Brewers and Rays coming to Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies have to prove they're actually ready for October.

Josh Liddick and Austin Myers are back together after a couple weeks of solo shows, and there's a lot to unpack. The Phillies are clinging to the final NL Wild Card spot, a game back of the Cubs and Padres, with a four-game cushion over the D-Backs. But the vibes are shaky—after a scorching August, the offense has gone cold in September, and the Braves already wrapped up the division without much resistance.

The guys dig into what a Wild Card matchup in Atlanta would actually look like, and why Austin isn't as scared of the Braves' pitching as you'd expect given the season series. They also break down the scramble atop the Wild Card race, with the red-hot Padres (winners of nine of their last 10) looking like the team nobody wants to face.

On the pitching side, Aaron Nola's second-half turnaround takes center stage—a 2.92 ERA since July 5th that's quietly made him the Phillies' most reliable arm not named Wheeler or Sánchez, even as questions swirl about Jesús Luzardo's health and return timeline. The bullpen conversation isn't as rosy: Orion Kerkering's late-season collapse has him optioned to Triple-A, leaving Andrew Painter, Alex McFarlane, and a resurgent Jose Alvarado to fill the gaps behind Jhoan Duran.

Offensively, Josh and Austin give credit where it's due—Alec Bohm, Justin Crawford, and Luis Arráez have carried the lineup lately—but the message is clear: Schwarber, Turner, and Harper need to wake up if this team wants to make noise in October.

Looking ahead, the Phillies open a three-game set with the Brewers on Tuesday before setting up a pivotal final weekend against the AL's top-seeded Rays. Can the Phillies find their swing before the games start counting for real?

Follow and leave a five-star review for Catchin’ Phils: A Phillies Podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeartRadio⁠⁠⁠⁠, and subscribe to Josh Liddick (⁠⁠⁠⁠Red Pinstripe Press⁠⁠⁠⁠) and Austin Myers (⁠⁠⁠⁠Phillies Perspective⁠⁠⁠⁠) on Substack to get their latest work straight to your inbox. The podcast is also streaming weekly on the Catchin' Phils ⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠.

Follow Catchin’ Phils on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter/X for more content.

Episode timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome back & setting the stage for the final week

05:19 – Breaking down the NL wild card race

09:25 – The red-hot Padres and trade deadline what-ifs

13:47 – Aaron Nola's remarkable turnaround

24:59 – Bullpen crisis: Kerkering demoted, who steps up?

33:11 – Alvarado's redemption and the Painter/Urquidy bullpen question

42:52 – The offense needs to wake up

44:58 – Bohm, Crawford, and Arráez carrying the lineup

50:21 – Previewing the Brewers and Rays series

52:23 – Chasing 90 wins and closing thoughts