Maybe this was a fitting way for it all to end: an MIA offense, a bullpen meltdown, and a fundamental lapse. The lineup has mostly disappeared in October ever since the Phillies collapsed in Arizona in 2023. The bullpen has been a constant source of postseason pain. And if you watched the Phils this summer, you know fundamentals are not their strong suit. The throw was to first. Now it’s all over. Changes are coming.
Also in this edition:
- There for Orion: After a brutal loss, Kerkering learned he had plenty of support.
- No bunt this time: Rob Thomson pulled the right strings in Game 4. It just didn’t work out.
- Painful: You would think we’d be accustomed by now to painful losses. Nope.
— Matt Breen (extrainnings@inquirer.com)
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Changes are coming
Now what?
There are only so many changes the Phillies can make to their roster and it’s not exactly a smart idea to “break up” a team that won 96 games and lost in October to the defending champs. But I’d be stunned if the Phils decided to “run it back” like they did after last year’s postseason flop.
The Phillies need to be reshaped and Thursday night’s 2-1 loss certainly felt like an end of era.
It’s hard to see the Phils being outbid for Kyle Schwarber, and J.T. Realmuto is too valuable to let walk. The market for Ranger Suárez could be too steep as the Phillies already have Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo for 2026 along with the expected arrival of Andrew Painter and the hopeful return of Zack Wheeler.
But their lineup can use some upgrades. They could again try to move Alec Bohm as they need better protection for Bryce Harper in the No. 4 spot. The Phils had a .720 OPS this season (11th worst) from the cleanup spot. The outfield is an obvious area to address.
Nick Castellanos has one year left on his deal and Thursday night may have been his last game with the Phillies. Harrison Bader was a good fit for two months and could return as a free agent, a class headlined by Cody Bellinger and Kyle Tucker. Justin Crawford spent most of the season in triple A and should be a contender to win an outfield job in spring training. If the Phillies are going to move the needle this winter, the outfield seems like the place to do it.
And then the manager. You can only survive so many postseason exits and it sure seems like Rob Thomson is on his way out. Dave Dombrowski did not hire Thomson as he was already here when Dombrowski arrived. Dombrowski promoted him after firing Joe Girardi, the Phillies went to the World Series, and they decided to ride with Philly Rob. But that ride may have ended at Dodger Stadium. Dombrowski will get the chance to hire his own manager this winter. Alex Cora, the guy he won with in Boston, is under contract with the Red Sox through 2027. So Dombrowski will likely have to look elsewhere. If the Phillies need a manager, it will be interesting to see the type of candidate Dombrowski targets.
Coverage cleanup
