Podcast Episode
#49 | They’re In! Phillies Secure Postseason Berth in Game 162
About this episode
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 hell01:30 – Five straight playoff appearances and what it means03:14 – One of the best runs in franchise history (and a near collapse)05:37 – Momentum, champagne (ugh), and the mood heading to Atlanta09:16 – Looking ahead: Braves, Dodgers, and how to get back to CBP13:36 – Recapping the clinching game and a shoutout to the D-Backs16:47 – Wheeler as the closer and Turner back at leadoff20:38 – Austin's bold preseason prediction and Luzardo's return21:52 – Stott and the doubles that powered the offense(s)28:28 – Game 1 lineup: Sosa, Harper, and Bohm32:51 – Cutting down to the 26-man roster39:43 – Arráez's ankle injury and what it means41:44 – The rotation puzzle for the Wild Card Series48:25 – Wild Card schedule and matchups around the league51:56 – Closing thoughts