Hittin' Season: A Philadelphia Phillies podcast

Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher talked about the Phillies' adrenaline-pumping sweep of the Rays and look ahead to Cleveland, while Mitch Rupert gives an update on Andrew Painter's debut with the IronPigs. Then, author Luke Epplin talks about his book on Cleveland's 1948 World Series-champion team.

Transcribed - Published: 9 May 2025

On Episode 958 of Hittin' Season, host John Stolnis of The Good Phight recaps the first two games of the Phillies series in Tampa, another series win for the boys! The Good Phight's Ethan Witte stops by to talk Kyle Schwarber extension, Zack Wheeler or Jesus Luzardo as the Phils' best Cy Young candidate, and whether Iron Pig stud Otto Kemp has a future in Philadelphia. Also, is Taijuan Walker going to be a stud reliever now?

Transcribed - Published: 8 May 2025

On Episode 957 of Hittin' Season, powered by WHYY in Philadelphia, hosts John Stolnis of The Good Phight, Baseball Prospectus' Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher of the Baseball Research Journal discuss the Phillies' weekend series win over the Diamondbacks, improvement from the offense, Max Kepler, Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, shaky defense and how to fix MLB's moronic extra innings rule.

Transcribed - Published: 6 May 2025

The Arizona Diamondbacks just did the impossible and beat the Mets in New York. Now, they come to Philadelphia with a depleted bullpen. Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher discuss the matchups of the Phillies' upcoming weekend series with the D-backs.

Transcribed - Published: 2 May 2025

On Episode 955 of WHYY's Hittin' Season, host John Stolnis from The Good Phight recaps an eventful April for the Phils. After two straight wins over the Nationals, the Phillies are on a 91-win pace. Who is their MVP thus far? Their best pitcher? Best win of the year? Worst loss?

Transcribed - Published: 1 May 2025

On Episode 954 of WHYY's Hittin' Season, John Stolnis, Liz Roscher and Justin Klugh talk about the high points of the Phillies' series win over the Cubs, Aaron Nola's bounceback, some signs of life from the offense, and a little nonsense on 4 HR-games in MLB.

Transcribed - Published: 29 April 2025

The Cubs are probably even hotter than the Mets who just swept the Phillies—but their pitching is vulnerable, just what a Phillies offense full of underlying successes could use. Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher discuss the coming weekend at Wrigley Field, as does author Stuart Shea, who talks about his book, “Wrigley Field: The Long Life and Contentious Times of the Friendly Confines."

Transcribed - Published: 25 April 2025

On Episode 952 of Hittin' Season, The Good Phight's John Stolnis recaps the three-game sweep the Phillies suffered against the Mets this week with 10 observations about where things stand with the Phils. Also, Jeff Warren, host of the Philadelphia Sports Table podcast joins the show to share his thoughts on the series, and we take a look ahead to another tough match-up this weekend in Chicago against the red-hot Cubs.

Transcribed - Published: 24 April 2025

On Episode 951 of Hittin' Season, John Stolnis of The Good Phight and SABR's Liz Roscher talk about Monday night's 5-4 loss to the Mets in New York, the Phillies' leaky bullpen, Aaron Nola now 0-5, Trea Turner and Bryce Harper's 9th inning ABs and more. Also, who's better right now, Jesus Luzardo or Cristopher Sanchez? And has Bryson Stott emerged as the answer in the leadoff spot? Plus, things aren't going so well in Atlanta for manager Brian Snitker.

Transcribed - Published: 22 April 2025

On Episode 950 of Hittin' Season, hosts John Stolnis and Justin Klugh wrap up the Phils' series split against the Giants and drool over Cristopher Sanchez' changeup. Also, Justin talks with Ely Sussman of Fish on First to preview this weekend's Marlins series, as well as with Sam Zygner, author of "The Forgotten Marlins," a book about the 1956-1960 minor-league team. Shut up, it was cool.

Transcribed - Published: 18 April 2025

On Episode 949 of WHYY's Hittin' Season, John Stolnis of The Good Phight offers five observations about the Phillies offense as the team continues to struggle to score. Also, thoughts on Aaron Nola's latest disappointing start and why a rocky beginning to the season is not cause for panic.

Transcribed - Published: 17 April 2025

Powered by WHYY... On Episode 948 of Hittin' Season, hosts John Stolnis, Justin Klugh & Liz Roscher react to a weak-hitting and ineffective offense, levels of worry about Brandon Marsh, Alec Bohm, Max Kepler, Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola, and make sure to stay until the very end of the podcast when the gang gets really mad at Rob Thomson for not defending J.T. Realmuto in Monday night's loss to the Giants. Feelings were felt!

Transcribed - Published: 15 April 2025

After a late loss to the Braves, Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher break down what lies in store for the Phillies in St. Louis. Mitch Rupert talks about Phillies top prospect Andrew Painter making his first minor league start since 2022 and author Marshall Garvey discusses his book, "Interstate '85: The Royals, the Cardinals, and the Show-Me World Series."

Transcribed - Published: 11 April 2025

On Episode 946 of Hittin' Season, John Stolnis & Liz Roscher recap the first two games of the Phillies series against the Braves in Atlanta, including the heroics of Trea Turner, Jose Alvarado and Bryce Harper in Wednesday's 4-3 win. Also, John spoke with Demetrius Bell, site producer and writer for the Braves' site Battery Power.

Transcribed - Published: 10 April 2025

On Episode 945 of Hittin' Season, The Good Phight's John Stolnis and Justin Klugh from Baseball Prospectus recap the Phillies' series victory over the previously unbeaten Los Angeles Dodgers. Why the Phils proved they are every bit the equal of the Dodgers over the weekend, with full breakdowns of each game! Plus, a quick look ahead to this week's series in Atlanta, and John & Justin try to help a Phillies fan keep his young child from being indoctrinated by his wife into becoming a Mets fan.

Transcribed - Published: 7 April 2025

The Phillies off to a great start—with plenty of baseball left—but it's still easy to see the Braves' 0-7 start as catastrophic. Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher talk about Edmundo Sosa as well as the upcoming Dodgers series.

Transcribed - Published: 4 April 2025

The Phillies 2025 season is underway, and it's off to a great start... unlike those terrible Braves you've heard so much about. Justin Klugh is joined by Leo Morgenstern of FanGraphs to discuss how the Phillies measure up with the rest of MLB, position by position.

Transcribed - Published: 2 April 2025

On Episode 942 of Hittin' Season, hosts John Stolnis and Liz Roscher recap Saturday and Sunday's games between the Phillies and Nationals. There was some good (Jesus Luzardo, Kyle Schwarber, the Saturday offense) and some bad (Aaron Nola & the Sunday offense). Also, John & Liz share their thoughts on the Yankees' Torpedo Bats, and bask in the glow of the Atlanta Braves' 0-4 start in San Diego.

Transcribed - Published: 31 March 2025

On Episode 941, host John Stolnis of The Good Phight recaps the 5 Big Storylines from the Phillies' stirring Opening Day victory against the Nationals in DC. Alec Bohm's Redemption, Strikeouts Galore, Zack Wheeler's Cy Young Push, Bryce Harper Opening Day Magic & Bullpen Usage. Plus thoughts on the benefits of the new lineup, Kyle Schwarber's success vs. lefties and a preview of this weekend's final two games of the series. Powered by WHYY & BillyPenn.com!

Transcribed - Published: 28 March 2025

On Episode 940 of Hittin' Season, hosts John Stolnis, Justin Klugh & Liz Roscher present their official picks for the 2025 season, and take some over/unders of Phillies stats with Opening Day set for Thursday in Washington, DC.

Transcribed - Published: 27 March 2025

On Episode 939 of WHYY's Hittin' Season, hosts John Stolnis, Liz Roscher and Justin Klugh react to Ranger Suarez starting the season on the Injured List, his replacement, Taijuan Walker, new acquisition reliever Carlos Hernandez, Rob Thomson talks lineups and we answer some mailbag questions, too. Email us questions, comments or statements of fact at [email protected]!

Transcribed - Published: 24 March 2025

Some developments out of Phillies camp this week: They've got a new backup catcher, Brandon Marsh will be the everyday centerfielder, and Ranger Suarez has a stiff back. Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher break it all down. Then, Craig Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus shares his Phillies takes.

Transcribed - Published: 21 March 2025

On Episode 937 of Hittin' Season, host John Stolnis from The Good Phight and BillyPenn.com discusses Ranger Suarez' back stiffness and what it could mean for his ability to pitch in the first couple weeks of the season. Also, John lists 10 Phillies having very encouraging springs, way too many thoughts about Scott Kingery being DFA'd by the Angels this week, and why Opening Day should not be played overseas anymore. Powered by WHYY and BillyPenn!

Transcribed - Published: 20 March 2025

On Episode 936 of Hittin' Season, John Stolnis of The Good Phight, Justin Klugh from Baseball Prospectus and Liz Roscher answer 10 pressing questions about the #Phillies with less than 10 days until Opening Day. Powered by WHYY & BillyPenn.com!

Transcribed - Published: 18 March 2025

Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher are flabbergasted by a new line of MLB team hats before discussing Trea Turner’s future at shortstop. Then, it’s time to discuss Jimmy Rollins’ deserving, inevitable induction onto the Phillies Wall of Fame. Oh, also; have you ever seen a picture of Mr. Met wearing jeans?

Transcribed - Published: 14 March 2025

On Episode 934 of Hittin' Season, host John Stolnis of The Good Phight, WHYY and BillyPenn.com opens up the mailbag for a solo pod chock full of Phillies nuggets, including thoughts on the state of the outfield, 26-man roster predictions, contract extension walk away numbers for Realmuto & Schwarber, 6-man rotation talk and lots more!

Transcribed - Published: 13 March 2025

On Episode 933 of Hittin' Season, John Stolnis of The Good Phight is joined by The Athletic's Jayson Stark as he discusses his article on whether the trend line for the 2025 Phillies is on the way up, or on the way down. What will their legacy be if they don't win a World Series? And will J.T. Realmuto or Kyle Schwarber sign a contract extension this spring? Also, Justin Klugh from Baseball Prospectus and Liz Roscher appear on the roundtable to discuss Jayson's article, the spate of injuries to the Mets and Braves, and our level of concern over Matt Strahm's shoulder soreness. Powered by WHYY & BillyPenn.com!

Transcribed - Published: 11 March 2025

Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher discuss Bryce Harper's recent Pete Alonso comments, as well the Phillies week-long losing streak down in Clearwater. Then, Joe Edinger of The Good Phight talks about what to expect from the Phillies outfield in 2025.

Transcribed - Published: 7 March 2025

On Episode 931 of Hittin' Season, John Stolnis of The Good Phight & BillyPenn.com gives his 10 bold predictions for the upcoming season and chats with Evan Macy of The Philly Voice about which players' stocks are up or down down in Clearwater. Also, Bryce Harper tells The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal he's open to changing positions.

Transcribed - Published: 6 March 2025

On Episode 930 of Hittin' Season, hosts John Stolnis, Liz Roscher and Justin Klugh recap the weekend's three Phillies exhibition games down in Florida against the Blue Jays, Orioles and Tigers. Alec Bohm goes deep twice, Sanchez, Nola and Taijuan Walker all looked good. Is Sanchez or Nola the second-best pitcher on the team? Will someone come calling to take Walker off the Phils' hands? Also, Trea Turner messing with Max Scherzer and Rob Thomson wasn't wild about it!

Transcribed - Published: 3 March 2025

Justin Klugh and guest Mike Robertson talk about Phillies starters Zack Wheeler and Jesus Luzardo's spring training debuts. And why does everybody keep making Garrett Stubbs explain what he's doing here?

Transcribed - Published: 1 March 2025

On Episode 928 of Hittin' Season, John Stolnis of The Good Phight and BillyPenn.com is joined by John Foley of OnPattison.com to chat about the latest happening in Clearwater, why it's not a big deal that Phils have the worst collection of MLB players 26 and under in the league, and Bryce Harper avoids an injury scare!

Transcribed - Published: 27 February 2025

On Episode 927 of Hittin' Season, John Stolnis of The Good Phight and Justin Klugh from Baseball Prospectus chat about the first few games of the Phillies' spring training schedule, a new-look lineup they would have debuted on Monday, prospects opening eyes in camp, and how the Phils will fill out their bench in the wake of Weston Wilson's oblique injury.

Transcribed - Published: 25 February 2025

On Episode 926 of Hittin' Season, host John Stolnis of The Good Phight and BillyPenn.com is joined by Fangraphs Senior Writer Dan Szymborski to get his thoughts on the Phillies and how they compare to the rest of the contenders in the National League. Also, John ranks the 10 most important Phillies of the 2025 season, the need for Trea Turner to step up his game, and why the Day Care moniker needs to be retired for Stott, Bohm and Marsh.

Transcribed - Published: 20 February 2025

On Episode 925 of Hittin' Season, John Stolnis and Liz Roscher discuss the latest news & notes from the first week of spring training in Clearwater. Nick Castellanos says there's less pressure on the Phillies this year (there isn't), J.T. Realmuto and Edmundo Sosa could get time in the outfield this spring, Kyle Schwarber wants an extension, expectations for Johan Rojas and Alec Bohm speaks!

Transcribed - Published: 17 February 2025

As the 2025 Phillies get ready to write their story, Justin Klugh takes you back five, ten, and fifteen years to discuss how and what the Phillies were getting up to as they prepared for their seasons in the recent past.

Transcribed - Published: 12 February 2025

On Episode 923 of Hittin' Season, hosts John Stolnis, Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher talk for a bit about the Eagles' Super Bowl win on Sunday. Now that Jalen Hurts has his title, will Bryce Harper ever win one for the Phillies? Also, we ask and answer five burning questions for the Phils as pitchers and catchers report on Wednesday.

Transcribed - Published: 11 February 2025

On Episode 922 of Hittin' Season, John Stolnis of The Good Phight and BillyPenn.com runs down his prediction of what the Phillies' 26-man roster will be on Opening Day, whether the Mets' re-signing Pete Alonso moves the needle for them, Fangraphs' playoff odds and we answer some mailbag questions about potential breakout performers in 2025.

Transcribed - Published: 7 February 2025

On Episode 921, hosts John Stolnis, Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher discuss whether there is anything the Phillies could do to distract the city from Eagles Super Bowl week (there isn't), PECOTA projections down on the Phils', and burning questions about who leads off and bounce back seasons from Bryson Stott, Brandon Marsh and Trea Turner.

Transcribed - Published: 4 February 2025

Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher talk about the Phillies packing the truck to head down to Clearwater ahead of the Super Bowl, as well as the ultimate fate of free agent Mets slugger Pete Alonso.

Transcribed - Published: 31 January 2025

On Episode 919 of Hittin' Season, host John Stolnis of The Good Phight and BillyPenn.com is joined by Fangraphs' Eric Longenhagen as he breaks down his top-30 Phillies prospects (not all of them because that would be a three-hour podcast, obviously), including his very interesting ranking of Justin Crawford.

Transcribed - Published: 30 January 2025

On Episode 918, hosts John Stolnis of The Good Phight, Justin Klugh from Baseball Prospectus and Yahoo! Sports' Liz Roscher discuss how a win or loss by the Eagles in the Super Bowl will affect fan mood and expectations for the Phillies in 2025. Also, the Braves sign OF Jurickson Profar, how much better does that make them? And Rob Manfred celebrates 10 years as MLB Commissioner, what we love and don't like about MLB right now.

Transcribed - Published: 28 January 2025

The Phillies have the second-highest payroll in MLB, and the team with the highest one has been adding talent all winter. Is this more of a problem for every other team or baseball itself? Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher talk about that, Ruben Amaro Jr.'s new sport, and the Hall of Fame.

Transcribed - Published: 24 January 2025

On Episode 916, host John Stolnis of The Good Phight and BillyPenn.com talks about the induction of Billy Wagner to the Hall of Fame, the status of Chase Utley's candidacy, as well as what Jimmy Rollins and Bobby Abreu need to do to get in. Also, Cole Hamels is on the ballot next year, what are his chances? Four Phils are ranked in Baseball America's Top 100, and more discussion on the Dodgers' insane spending spree.

Transcribed - Published: 23 January 2025

On Episode 915, John Stolnis of The Good Phight, Justin Klugh from Baseball Prospectus and Yahoo Sports' Liz Roscher react to more high impact signings by baseball's super-team, the Dodgers. Are they, once again, ushering in a new evil empire in MLB, and will this spur the league to enact salary caps/floors in the near future? Also, how do the Phils stack up in light of the Dodgers' acquisitions? And, the Phillies sign a Japanese import, will it have an impact on future signings out of Japan? And the gang also tries to figure out what John's "vibe" is.

Transcribed - Published: 21 January 2025

Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher talk about recent passing of "Mr. Baseball," MLB player and broadcaster Bob Uecker, his time with the Phillies, and his impact on the game.

Transcribed - Published: 17 January 2025

On Episode 913 of Hittin' Season, host John Stolnis dips in on various tidbits of Phillies news including spring training non-roster invitees of note, international signings, Zack Wheeler named the Best Pitcher in Baseball by MLB Network, Alec Bohm NOT listed among the 10 best third basemen, and the sad news of Bob Ueker's passing.

Transcribed - Published: 16 January 2025

On Episode 912, John Stolnis of The Good Phight and Baseball Prospectus' Justin Klugh discuss Jeff Hoffman's free agent deal with Toronto, whether Justin Crawford or Andrew Painter will have a bigger impact with the 2025 Phils and our top-10 teams in the Majors as of right now.

Transcribed - Published: 14 January 2025

Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher talk about the six players the Phillies were able to avoid arbitration with this winter, as well as team's recently debuted 2024 video yearbook, "Chasing Greatness." Then, Leo Morgenstern of FanGraphs talks about Max Kepler's deal with the Phillies and what role he could play in 2025.

Transcribed - Published: 10 January 2025

On Episode 910 of Hittin' Season, host John Stolnis of The Good Phight and BillyPenn.com discusses the release of the 2024 Phillies video yearbook entitled "Chasing Greatness" and why he couldn't bear to watch it yet. Also, at what point might the Phils get interested in outfield free agents Anthony Santander and/or Jurickson Profar? MLB Network says Brandon Marsh is the 6th-best center fielder in baseball (!!!) and how the front office will likely handle the seven Phils who are out of options in 2025.

Transcribed - Published: 9 January 2025