Hittin' Season: A Philadelphia Phillies podcast

Cole Hamels is coming back to retire with the Phillies, and the Diamondbacks are in Philadelphia to give everyone nightmares about their last visit in the 2023 NLCS. Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher talk their favorite Hamels memories, and Diamondbacks beat writer Nick Piecoro talks about the 2024 version of the team that knocked the Phillies out of the 2023 postseason.

On Episode 829 of Hittin' Season, John Stolnis is joined by Dan Szymborski of Fangraphs to chat about the Phillies' unexpected race to the top of the NL East, the play of the Braves and Dodgers, and whether Willie Mays is the greatest player of all time.

On Episode 828 of Hittin' Season, hosts John Stolnis, Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher recap a fun-filled win over the Padres Monday night and explain what was behind a 2-4 road trip through Boston and Baltimore. Also, the first round of All Star voting is out and the Phils are really well represented thus far. And the latest Phillies trade rumors. Should they be going all-in at the trade deadline this time?

On Episode 827 of Hittin' Season, hosts Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher lament the Phillies' series loss to the Red Sox and talk about former closer and 2008 World Series hero Brad Lidge's post-playing career. Then, Orioles beat writer Andy Kostka gives a sense of what to expect from the rampaging O's this weekend.

On Episode 826 of Hittin' Season, host John Stolnis is joined by Leo Morgenstern to discuss how the Phillies will miss J.T. Realmuto, on the shelf with a knee injury for at least a month. Also, are the Braves in a real decline, which Phils will be All Stars a month from now and a recap of the first two games of their series against the Red Sox in Boston.

On Episode 825 of Hittin' Season, hosts John Stolnis of The Good Phight, Baseball Prospectus' Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher from Yahoo! Sports recap a fun-filled weekend in London for the Phillies. They discuss some of Rob Thomson's moves, Bryce Harper "The Showman," and the prospects of making the London Series a longer event. Also, how much should the Phils be willing to give up in trading for a stud young outfielder like Luis Robert Jr. or Kyle Tucker? And we look ahead to a challenging week with series in Boston and Baltimore.

This weekend, the Phillies are Mets will square off in two games at London Stadium. Episode 824 of Hittin' Season is all about the event, as hosts Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher discuss potential outcomes and the general state of the Mets, while Mets lifer and podcaster Linda Surovich from A Pod of Their Own provides thoughts on the series and her least favorite Phillies player ever (It's Chase Utley, obviously).

On Episode 823 of Hittin' Season, host John Stolnis recaps yet another series sweep, this time the first place Milwaukee Brewers, by the Phillies, and delivers 7 Truths about the team and the 2024 MLB season, too.

On Episode 822 of Hittin' Season, hosts John Stolnis, Liz Roscher and Justin Klugh recap Rhys Hoskins' emotional return to the Citizens Bank Park in the Phillies' 3-1 win over the Brewers Monday night. Also, how will the Phils handle the loss of Brandon Marsh and Kody Clemens? What outfielders are available in trades? And on the two-year anniversary of Rob Thomson being named manager, we grade his performance thus far.

The Phillies are back at Citizen Bank Park this weekend to face the Cardinals after an annoying west coast trip. Hosts Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher talk about the contentious final game against the Giants before guests Tim Jackson of Baseball Prospectus gives us the lowdown on Ranger Suarez's 2024 success and BP's editor Craig Goldstein talks about the abrupt retirement of umpire Angel Hernandez.

On Episode 820 of Hittin' Season, host John Stolnis recaps a disappointing series in San Francisco that ended on a high note with the Phillies' 6-1 win on Wednesday. Should the Phils ask Trea Turner to play outfield to give Edmundo Sosa more playing time? How much rope does Taijuan Walker have to right the ship? Also, the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves are riding the struggle bus right now, and legendary awful umpire Angel Hernandez abruptly retires!

On Episode 819 of Hittin' Season, hosts John Stolnis of The Good Phight and Liz Roscher from Yahoo! Sports recap the Phillies' first series loss since the first few days of April, losing 2 out of 3 to the Rockies in Colorado. Also, the Braves lose the reigning NL MVP, Ronald Acuna Jr. for the season after an ACL injury on Sunday. Is Atlanta cooked?

On Episode 818 of Hittin' Season, Sam Stafford of the new Phillies Nation TV show stops by to chat with host John Stolnis about the Phils' record-setting first 50 games. Are they becoming a legendary team as John Middleton had hoped? Also, we're taking Bryce Harper for granted, Ranger Suarez' record-book shattering start, and are the Atlanta Braves at a crossroads in their 2024 season?

On Episode 817 of Hittin' Season, hosts John Stolnis of The Good Phight, Baseball Prospectus' Justin Klugh & Liz Roscher from Yahoo! Sports recap another outstanding weekend of Phillies baseball after their sweep of the Washington Nationals. Also, are the Braves imploding, and how much longer do we have to hear about the Phils' schedule?

On episode 816 of Hittin' Season, Justin Klugh talks to Nationals beat writer Andrew Golden from the Washington Post about who the Nats are this year, how their pitching could hold back the Phillies' vaunted offense, and the general vibes surrounding the team.

On Episode 815 of Hittin' Season, host John Stolnis recaps the Phillies' 10-5 win over the Mets Wednesday night and Aaron Nola's 4-0 complete game shutout from Tuesday. Also, the Phils have shown Dave Dombrowski was right to run it back, and what's up with Johan Rojas' subpar defense so far in 2024?

On Episode 814 of Hittin' Season, listen to hosts John Stolnis, Liz Roscher and Justin Klugh react live to the Phillies' clutch 5-4, 10-inning win over the Mets Monday night. Was it their best win of the season? Plus, the 2024 season is officially 25% done, what is the biggest takeaway from an amazing first-quarter? What are the team's weaknesses? Are they atop our power rankings?

As the Phillies get ready to spend the weekend in Miami, hosts Justin Klugh, John Stolnis, and Liz Roscher break down just how low things have sunk for the Marlins and how high the Phillies are flying. Voice of the Clearwater Threshers Josh Sperber also joins the show to talk about the hot-hitting 19-year-old Phillies prospect Aidan Miller.

On Episode 812 of Hittin' Season, John Stolnis of The Good Phight recaps the Phillies' quick two-game series with the Blue Jays and previews a struggling Marlins team that just last year lost to the Phils in the playoffs. Why are they doing what they're doing? Also, Trea Turner's hitting advice says more about the team than you think.

On Episode 811 of Hittin' Season, hosts John Stolnis, Liz Roscher and Justin Klugh recap the red-hot Phillies' 4-game sweep over the San Francisco Giants. Bryce Harper is getting hot, Zack Wheeler remains on fire, and the team is tearing through their early season easy schedule. Also, the gang discusses how the Phils will deal with Trea Turner's extended absence and their plan for the starting rotation, a notable "good" problem to have.

A missing gator, a sixth starting pitcher, and a beatable opponent. It's another weekend of Phillies baseball on episode 811 of Hittin' Season with hosts Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher.

A missing gator, a sixth starting pitcher, and a beatable opponent. It's another weekend of Phillies baseball on episode 811 of Hittin' Season with hosts Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher.

On Episode 810 of Hittin' Season, host John Stolnis of The Good Phight and BillyPenn.com recaps a strange and successful series against the Angels, wrapping up a 7-3, 10-game road trip with the most wins in baseball! As the calendar flips to June, where does John rank the Phils among baseball's best? His answer may surprise you!

On Episode 809 of Hittin' Season, hosts John Stolnis, Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher ask a few important questions. Who's had the better April, Alec Bohm or Ranger Suarez? Who won the Brandon Marsh-Logan O'Hoppe trade? And will Mike Trout finally try to force a trade from the Angels so he can play playoff baseball again?

On episode 808 of Hittin' Season, hosts Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher talk about the Phillies' four-game series split with the Reds in Cincinnati--what worked (Alec Bohm, Zack Wheeler, Bryce Harper's dad strength) and what didn't (Seranthony Dominguez, Rob Thomson's decision-making). Then, Justin talks to Phillies minor league evaluator Mitch Rupert about prospect Gabriel Rincones, Jr.'s recent 500+ foot home run.

On Episode 807, John Stolnis of The Good Phight and BillyPenn.com opens up the Hittin' Season mailbag, grouses about Rob Thomson's lineups for Tuesday and Wednesday night's losses to the Reds, as well as yet another seemingly endless slump by Nick Castellanos.

On Episode 806 of Hittin' Season, John Stolnis of The Good Phight and Baseball Prospectus' Justin Klugh discuss the Phillies' 7-game winning streak following their win Monday night over the Reds. Justin & John analyze the win streak, the outstanding starting rotation and the waking bats with a NEW segment called "BULL or BOWA?" Plus, thoughts on the future of umpiring in MLB given some disastrous performances by the dudes calling the balls and strikes.

On Episode 805 of Hittin' Season, hosts Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher go down the Phillies' struggling batting order and talk about who is doing their job, who is still scuffling, who is perhaps starting to turn a corner--and why.

Host John Stolnis recaps the Phillies' three-game sweep of the Rockies, lauding the starting pitching, with special bouquets thrown to Ranger Suarez. Plus, former 94 WIP afternoon host Jon Marks joins the show for his thoughts on the pitching, the bats breaking out, the future of Nick Castellanos and what lies ahead for the Phils.

Presented by WHYY & BillyPenn.com, hosts John Stolnis of The Good Phight, Justin Klugh from Baseball Prospectus and Liz Roscher of Yahoo! Sports break down the Phillies' disappointing weekend against the Pirates, Zack Wheeler's rough 6th-inning Sunday, silent bats, bad defense, and a .500 baseball team being saved by good pitching. April Phillies will drive you crazy.

On Episode 802 of Hittin' Season, hosts Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher laud the Phillies' starting rotation for its MLB-best numbers and discuss the merits of "fixing" the Phillies' free-swinging offensive approach... or letting them off the leash.

Host John Stolnis is joined by Fangraphs' Michael Baumann to discuss the recent string of big-name superstar pitchers to go down with elbow injuries, some of them requiring Tommy John surgery. Also, John recaps the big storylines from the Phillies series win over the Cardinals, and talks a little Mike Trout trade, too.

Hosts John Stolnis of The Good Phight, Justin Klugh from Baseball Prospectus and Yahoo! Sports' Liz Roscher talk about the Spencer Strider injury and what it means for the Phillies chances of winning the division. Also, the Phillies win a series in Washington, but should we expect more?

On Episode #799 of Hittin' Season, hosts Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher share their feelings on the Phillies' new City Connect jerseys, Rhys Hoskins' hot start in Milwaukee as the Phillies flounder at the plate, and the Oakland Athletics' decision to play games in Sacramento.

On Episode 798, host John Stolnis recaps the final two games of the Phillies' series against the Reds and their 2-4 start to the season, Harper's huge 3-HR night on Tuesday, star turns by Spencer Turnbull & Ricardo Pinto, flailing bats not named Harper, and an interview with Keith O'Brien, author of "Charlie Hustle: The Rise and Fall of Pete Rose, and the Last Glory Days of Baseball."

On Episode 797, John Stolnis of The Good Phight, Liz Roscher from Yahoo! Sports and Baseball Prospectus' Justin Klugh react to the Phillies' frustrating 1-3 start, things we liked and didn't like from opening weekend, whether it was a good idea to raise a 2023 flag at Citizens Bank Park, and Rhys Hoskins' wild weekend in New York. Powered by WHYY & BillyPenn.com.

Host John Stolnis recaps a disappointing Phillies Opening Day loss to the Atlanta Braves on Friday, falling 9-3 and wasting a stellar Zack Wheeler start thanks to an anemic offensive performance and a blowup by the normally reliable bullpen. It wasn't as bad as last year, but it wasn't great.

With Opening Day just hours away, John Stolnis of The Good Phight, Baseball Prospectus' Justin Klugh and Yahoo! Sports' Liz Roscher preview the upcoming Phillies/MLB season with their full rundown of division winner and playoff predictions, MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year picks, Phillies team leader predictions, and why the Phils will regret not signing Jordan Montgomery to a free agent contract.

On Episode 794 of Hittin' Season, John Stolnis analyzes the weekend moves made by the Phillies as they firm up their Opening Day roster. Johan Rojas and Christian Pache are IN! Jake Cave is now a Rockie! Taijuan Walker & Orion Kerkering on the IL, Spencer Turnbull joins the rotation! Also, does Walker's injury mean the Phils are making a late push for Jordan Montgomery? John runs down the latest rumors!

On Episode 793 of Hittin' Season, hosts John Stolnis and Liz Roscher discuss the bizarre story of illegal gambling accusations involving Shohei Ohtani's interpreter. Exactly what is going on, and is Ohtani an innocent victim or something else? Also, the latest Phillies roster machinations, Johan Rojas, the light-hitting lineup, and the possibility of a sports complex expansion in South Philadelphia!

On Episode 792 of Hittin' Season, hosts John Stolnis, Liz Roscher and Justin Klugh discuss the revelation that Bryce Harper is dealing with back stiffness. Is this why he's had some a rough spring at the plate? Also, Zack Wheeler ends Aaron Nola's six-year reign as Opening Day starter, some thoughts on Phillies prospects who played in the Showcase over the weekend, and the genius of Whit Merrifield.

Brandon Marsh has returned! The Phillies can play defense in the outfield! We'll see the City Connect jerseys soon! This and more--including Ranger Suárez's spring training shutout--are discussed on Episode 791 of Hittin' Season with Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher.

On Episode 790 of Hittin' Season, host John Stolnis runs down his annual faceplant 10 bold predictions for the upcoming Phillies season, talks best case scenarios for the starting rotation, catches you up on the latest news and notes from spring training and runs down the top headlines from around the Majors, including a major trade that could shake up the National League!

On Episode 789 of Hittin' Season, hosts John Stolnis, Justin Klugh & Liz Roscher talk more Phillies spring training action, including Zack Wheeler's deadly new splitter, Mick Abel's solid run, quiet bats and whether Johan Rojas is playing his way to AAA to start the season. Also, is Taijuan Walker going to break camp in the starting rotation? John, Liz and Justin rank the top 15 teams in MLB with their annual snake draft as well.

On Episode 788 of Hittin' Season, hosts Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher talk about Bryson Stott's homer off the Astros in spring training, as well as Johan Rojas learning to bunt--and what a weapon bunting can be.

On Episode 787 of Hittin' Season, host John Stolnis of The Good Phight reacts to one national baseball writer's prediction the Phillies will beat the Yankees in the World Series and runs down his reasons why they will, too. Also, the Phils' bats are off to a slow start this spring, is it a concern? And we take a closer look at the schedule and why a fast start is important this season. Plus, we continue to take a tour around the NL East with Kevin Barral, reporter for Fish on First talking about the Marlins' off-season and whether they have the pieces to build off last season's surprise playoff appearance.

On Episode 786 of Hittin' Season, hosts John Stolnis of The Good Phight, Justin Klugh from Baseball Prospectus and Yahoo! Sports' Liz Roscher discuss the record-setting contract extension the Phillies gave to Zack Wheeler, the chances of adding Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery, and what having so many big-money players on the roster means for their flexibility in 2025 and beyond.

On episode 785 of Hittin' Season, hosts Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher catch you up with all of the Phillies Grapefruit League action thus far, lament the end of Dollar Dog Nights at CBP, and break down Jake Cave and Cristian Pache's potential roles with the team.

On Episode 784 of Hittin' Season, host John Stolnis recaps spring training action featuring big days at the plate for J.T. Realmuto & Alec Bohm and sparkling defense from Bryce Harper. Also, John's 10 favorite Harper moments since he signed five years ago, Cristopher Sanchez' new stuff, and a deep dive into the Atlanta Braves with BatteryPower.com's Kris Willis.

On Episode 783 of Hittin' Season, John Stolnis of The Good Phight, Liz Roscher from Yahoo! Sports and Justin Klugh of Baseball Prospectus chat about the Phillies' opening weekend of spring games, with thoughts on Aaron Nola, Mick Abel, Whit Merrifield, Johan Rojas, and the battle for the final spot in the outfield. Also, Cody Bellinger signs with the Cubs, and this week's Where Are They Now Phillie features a playboy from the 1960s.