Extra Innings: a Phillies podcast

The Phillies have plenty on their plate before the regular season starts. Filling out their bullpen and dealing with injuries remain on the priority list. The center-field competition is still brewing and wide open. Scott Lauber, Matt Breen and Bob Brookover break down the latest.

Adam Haseley is out for four weeks due to a groin strain, leaving Roman Quinn, Odubel Herrera, Scott Kingery and Mickey Moniak to compete for the CF job. Who's leading the race?

Matt Moore, Chase Anderson, Vince Velasquez and Spencer Howard are competing for the final two spots in the starting rotation. Scott Lauber, Matt Breen and Bob Brookover preview the competition brewing in spring training and discuss the return of fans for the 2021 MLB season.

Spencer Howard shed some light on his injury-related struggles last season. What went wrong? Scott Lauber, Matt Breen and Bob Brookover break it down, among other storylines emerging from Phillies spring training.

As the Phillies open spring training this week, the Extra Innings crew is here to break down the biggest developments to follow in camp: J.T. Realmuto, relief pitching, and COVID-19.

After a slow start to the offseason, the Phillies have gotten down to business. JT Realmuto re-signed, Didi Gregorius has a new two-year deal, and Matt Moore signed a one-year contract – all in the last week. Will the organization's recent moves translate into a playoff berth?

After a slow start to the offseason, the Phillies have gotten down to business. JT Realmuto re-signed, Didi Gregorius has a new two-year deal, and Matt Moore signed a one-year contract – all in the last week. Will the organization's recent moves translate into a playoff berth?

From Blake Snell’s early hook to Justin Turner’s postgame celebration after testing positive for COVID-19, the Extra Innings crew wraps up the season that was in MLB and sets the table for the Phillies' offseason.

Matt Klentak has stepped down as the Phillies GM. We’ve heard from Phillies owner John Middleton, but we’re awaiting word from team president Andy MacPhail and interim GM Ned Rice. Scott Lauber, Matt Breen and Bob Brookover decipher Middleton’s news conference and forecast what’s to come this offseason (and beyond).

The playoffs unofficially start Friday night for the Phillies, who take on the Rays in a pivotal matchup with postseason implications. The Inquirer's Scott Lauber, Matt Breen and Bob Brookover examine the crucial weekend series, break down the scenarios to making the playoffs and predict whether the Phillies will advance.

The Marlins' COVID-19 outbreak threw a wrench into the Phillies' season, forcing games to be postponed through the end of the week. The Inquirer's Scott Lauber, Matt Breen and Bob Brookover attempt to pick up where the team left off to start a much-needed new week.

The Inquirer’s Scott Lauber and Matt Breen examine how the 2020 MLB season will look a lot different from seasons past ahead of Friday’s opener against the Marlins and preview what to expect from the Phillies over the course of the 60-game regular season.

As MLB approaches Part 2 of spring training, the Inquirer's Scott Lauber and Matt Breen dive into the Phillies' expectations and outlook for the 2020 season. The biggest opponent on the schedule? The coronavirus.

MLB and the MLB Players Union still haven't reached an agreement to start the 2020 season. Scott Lauber and Bob Brookover follow the twists and turns of the ongoing negotiations and debate whether or not the season will be canceled.

The Phillies drafted a pitcher in the first round for the first time since selecting Aaron Nola. The Inquirer's Scott Lauber and Bob Brookover break down their first impressions of the high school right-hander.

The owners aren't opening their checkbooks. The players won't take any more pay cuts. Where does that leave us? Scott Lauber and Bob Brookover review MLB's financial proposal to save the 2020 season.

The Inquirer's Scott Lauber and Bob Brookover break down MLB's 67-page health/safety manual protocol proposal, which raises plenty of questions about how the league can resume the 2020 season.

Major League Baseball and the Players Association opened negotiations about resuming the 2020 season on Tuesday. The Inquirer's Scott Lauber and Bob Brookover examine the proposal's key points.

Where does MLB stand in its decision-making process to start the 2020 season? The Inquirer's Matt Breen, Scott Lauber and Bob Brookover provide reasons for optimism as time winds down for Rob Manfred to make a final call.

The Inquirer's Matt Breen, Scott Lauber and Bob Brookover are joined by special guest Todd Zolecki of MLB.com to discuss Roy Halladay, the Phillies' last postseason game and more.

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.

Matt Breen and Scott Lauber talk about the evolution of defensive shifts, and how Bryce Harper will try to combat what he sees this season. Plus, they discuss Harper's defense, and his claim that playing in center field last year made him struggle. Lastly, Breen and Lauber answer your questions about the starting rotation, talk adding Dallas Keuchel and wonder how many wins it will take for the Phillies to make the playoffs.

Bryce Harper's Phillies jersey is a bestseller, and ticket sales are through the roof. The line on wins is 88.5, and expectations are higher than ever. Bob, Scott and Matt give their predictions and discuss what Harper's addition will mean for the rest of the outfield. Plus, who will be on the bench come opening day and the change Jake Arrieta made that he thinks will help him have better season than 2018.

You can't call the Phillies cheap anymore. Bryce Harper agreed to a 13-year, $330 million deal that shows the Phillies are ready to contend for a World Series on a yearly basis. We explore what that means -- plus talk about if there are any more moves to be made and reflect on how far the Phillies have come -- in the latest episode. Also ... what about Mike Trout?

What does Bryce Harper want? It's hard to answer that, but it might determine if he chooses to sign with Philadelphia or takes a short-term deal with a team like the Dodgers. Matt Breen, Bob Brookover and Scott Lauber discuss worst-case scenarios, Harper fatigue and how free agency affects other players, and also offer up gut predictions on if the outfielder will pick the Phillies.

The ball is in the Phillies court. What will they do with it? With Manny Machado headed to the Padres, the writers discuss how it's Bryce Harper or bust and make predictions on if they think the superstar will choose to play in Philadelphia.

From Clearwater, Fla., Matt Breen, Bob Brookover and Scott Lauber discuss what's on every Phillies fan's mind -- Bryce Harper and Manny Machado. Plus, what Jean Segura brings to the lineup and how Gabe Kapler will use him. And what does the revelation of Jake Arrieta's injury mean for the starter early on in the season?

It's an exciting time to be following the Phillies, and the Philadelphia Inquirer will be there from first pitch to game 162 (and maybe beyond). Join us for the ride.