Extra Innings: A Phillies Podcast

On this week's episode of the Extra Innings podcast, Matt Breen, Scott Lauber and Bob Brookover discuss one of the most crushing losses in Phillies history.

On this week's episode of the Extra Innings podcast, Matt Breen, Scott Lauber and Bob Brookover discuss the Phillies' return to the postseason after a 14-year drought.

Opening day is postponed, but we’re still rolling. Join us for the ride every Thursday on the Extra Innings podcast, featuring Matt Breen, Bob Brookover and Scott Lauber. This week, we look back at Game 4 of the 2008 NLCS.

The Inquirer's Matt Breen, Scott Lauber and Bob Brookover discuss the Phillies' classic postseason game against the Astros.

The Inquirer's Matt Breen, Scott Lauber and Bob Brookover rewatched Game 6 of the 1993 NLCS and discuss one of Philadelphia's greatest games in lieu of opening day.

The coronavirus crisis raises key questions for MLB after the league postponed opening day. But what would happen if the 2020 season is canceled? Matt Breen, Scott Lauber and Bob Brookover discuss the challenges ahead on this week's Phillies podcast.

On this week's Extra Innings podcast, Matt Breen, Scott Lauber and Bob Brookover discuss the Phillies' leadoff hitter with Andrew McCutchen ruled out for opening day and the biggest surprises of spring training.

After last Thursday's arbitration hearing, will the Phillies and J.T. Realmuto reach a contract extension before the season begins? Can Jean Segura handle third base? And how about the not-so-extreme makeover for the Phillie Phanatic? The Inquirer's Bob Brookover and Scott Lauber discuss on this week's Extra Innings podcast.

From Clearwater, Fla., Matt Breen, Bob Brookover and Scott Lauber discuss their first impressions of new Phillies manager Joe Girardi. Plus, who will win the competition for the fifth-starter job?

Remember "stupid money?" The Phillies weren't willing to spend any of it -- or give up anything in the farm system, for that matter -- to make their rotation better at the trade deadline. If you're feeling disappointed, take solace in the fact that, with the exception of a few teams, no one else got better either. Plus: And analyzing the Corey Dickerson trade; David Robertson out for the year, and who'd you rather see come out of the bullpen: Pivetta or Eflin?

The Phillies are in buy mode, and they're approaching the trade deadline with a critical series against the Braves looming. This weekend could make-or-break GM Matt Klentak's mind when it comes to trading away key prospects for a much-needed arm or adding a big contract to ensure a wild-card spot.

There's no shame in a wild-card spot, right? So what's up with Andy MacPhail's comments about the Phillies not wanting to give up prospects for a chance to compete? Our beat team is back and talking about moves the Phillies can make to contend, and discussing the differences between Gabe Kapler and Dallas Green.

Gabe Kapler floated the idea that Nick Pivetta, currently excelling in triple A, could join the bullpen. But does that make any sense? Plus, discussing Bryce Harper's recent struggles (is it a blip, or something more?) and the recent promotion of last year's first-round pick, Alec Bohm.

The last time the Phillies were in Colorado, they were in the midst of a dreadful slide. This weekend, they escaped Denver with one win in four games, and didn't fare much better in Queens. But is this a cause for concern or a natural ebb and flow of a season? Plus, exploring what Bryce Harper's ejection means, what the Phillies will do with Cesar Hernandez when Scott Kingery returns and the fact that if Aaron Nola is OK, the Phillies should be, too.

Is it time to be worried about Aaron Nola? Matt Breen, Bob Brookover and Scott Lauber offer up their opinions. Plus, the Phillies would be 9-1 if not for the bullpen's struggles. Would paying Craig Kimbrel be worth it? And more on Scott Kingery's at-bats and Maikel Franco's position in the lineup.

Bryce Harper said he expects to get booed at every visiting ballpark. But what happens when it's the city where he spent seven years and made the playoffs four times? We explore what might happen in D.C. on Tuesday, and talk about the Phillies' historic start (really) and what kind of tone the team set against Atlanta.

"There's no break in this lineup." Talking the power from 1 through 9, the players who survived the rebuild and showed up in big ways against the Braves, the fanfare surrounding Bryce Harper's debut and the trust Aaron Nola and Gabe Kapler have between each other. Plus, looking ahead to the rest of the series.

Rhys Hoskins joins the podcast to talk about Bryce Harper, last year's collapse and what the team learned from it, and what it was like to come back from a broken jaw. Plus - what Hoskins thought of his offseason spent in the city, and Matt Breen's Philly tips.

Discussing Mike Trout's record-breaking contract, how much of a chance the Phillies might have had to land him and the reality that large contracts like Trout and Bryce Harper's won't discourage teams from chasing the stars. Plus: A behind-the-scenes explanation of the Phillies clubhouse, and if it's possible the team was playing Fortnite and Gabe Kapler didn't know about it. Lastly: What is up with the Mets?

Phillies second-year manager Gabe Kapler sits down with Matt Breen and Scott Lauber and goes deep on the similarities between him and Bryce Harper, and what he thought when he first met his new star. Kapler also talks about integrating Harper into the clubhouse, what it's like to have such high expectations, his shifting lineups (and how that will change this year)... and MVP Baseball 2005.