Hittin' Season: A Philadelphia Phillies podcast

After a 9-19 start, the Phillies have fired their manager, Rob Thomson. Hosts John Stolnis, Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher react to the news many had anticipated, their reported failure to hire Alex Cora to replace him, and how Don Mattingly can help the team try to claw their way back from a disastrous first month.

After another series loss in Atlanta, the Phillies entered their off-day Monday with serious questions about the future of their coaching staff and their manager, Rob Thomson. Will Dave Dombrowski make major changes after a disastrous week against the Cubs and Braves? And does the Red Sox' firing of Alex Cora increase the odds of Thomson being let go? Hosts John Stolnis, Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher discuss on an all new Hittin' Season, powered by WHYY.

Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher look back at the Phillies' current nine-game losing streak, an increasingly and historically awful start to the 2026 season. From unique pitching statistics to endless offensive plummets, there's not much going right for the Phillies so far.

The Phillies have lost 8 games in a row heading into Thursday's series finale against the Cubs in Chicago, and show no signs of pulling out of their early season slump. Is Rob Thomson in trouble? How desperate are the Phillies? Host John Stolnis is joined by Jeff Warren of the Philadelphia Sports Table to discuss the team's awful start and whether it has already submarined their chances of reaching the postseason.

The Phillies were swept by the Braves at Citizens Bank Park over the weekend, the continuation of a brutal homestand. What's going wrong? Is Rob Thomson's job in jeopardy? John Stolnis, Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher run down their favorite terrible Phillies stats of the season's first three weeks. Also, who is more likely to pull out of their early funk, the Phils or the Mets, losers of 11 in a row?

The Phillies have had some problem areas to start the 2026 season ... but stats indicate they may not be problems forever. Try some medical-grade coping as Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher talk about how (and when) the Phillies might turn things around while the hot, hot Braves come to town for a weekend series.

Jesus Luzardo got blown up again, the offense continues to be mostly MIA and injuries are making their way through the bullpen. Other than that, the Phillies are doing great! John Stolnis and Justin Klugh recap another Phils series loss, this one to the Cubs at home, and discuss whether Justin Crawford and/or Andrew Painter should get contract extensions sooner rather than later.

Another series loss in which the offensive went limp, the starting pitching was inconsistent and the bullpen blew a late lead Sunday. All in all, a typical 2026 Phillies series thus far! John Stolnis and Liz Roscher discuss the Phils' series against the Diamondbacks. How much rope does manager Rob Thomson and hitting coach Kevin Long have? Is the fanbase the unhappiest it's been since the beginning of the rebuild?

The Phillies had a rough final two games in San Francisco. Will a return to Citizens Bank Park get them going again? On a new Hittin' Season, hosts John Stolnis and Liz Roscher discuss their level of concern and potential fixes, including lineup changes and the validity of moving on from their hitting coach. Also, Justin Klugh previews this weekend's series against Arizona with Diamondbacks beat writer Nick Piccoro.

The Phillies won a series against the Rockies in Colorado over the weekend, thanks to an offensive outburst on Friday and solid pitching throughout. Up next, a trip to San Francisco and the struggling Giants. Is this the year the Phils finally win a series at Oracle Park? Join John Stolnis, Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher as they discuss Jesus Luzardo, Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler's rehab and Jo Adell's insane home robberies over the weekend as well!

Bryce Harper homered, Edmundo Sosa did it all, and Justin Crawford walked it off to finish the Phillies homestand. Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher talk about some progress at the plate, the Mets' three-game slide, and how Aaron Nola has pitched at homer-happy Mile High Stadium.

The Phillies win their first series of the season thanks to the contributions of their two prized rookies, Justin Crawford and Andrew Painter. On this edition of Hittin' Season, host John Stolnis of The Good Phight recaps the series against the Washington Nationals and how the kids saved the Phils from a nightmarish result against one of baseball's worst teams. Also, Rob Friedman, a.k.a., the creator of Pitching Ninja, stops by to talk about his new book "Unhittable," and discuss who his favorite Phillies pitchers to watch are.

After a supremely enjoyable Opening Day win, the Phillies' bats disappeared in losses to the Texas Rangers on Saturday and Sunday, an unsatisfying weekend of baseball in Philadelphia on opening weekend. Is there reason for concern? On Episode 1057 of Hittin' Season, John Stolnis, Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher react to the Phillies' 1-2 start and whether anyone should be worried about what transpired. Plus, a quick look ahead to this week's series against the Nationals.

Kyle Schwarber said it best—the Phillies looked like a complete team as they defeated the Texas Rangers on opening day, 5-3. Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher break down the game's big moments, from Schwarbombs to Bohm-bombs to the dominance of Cristopher Sánchez.

The Phillies' 2026 season is finally here, and the Hittin' Season crew is ready! Will the Phils win the NL East for the third year in a row? Who wins MVP? Cy Young? Is this the year they win it all? Hosts John Stolnis, Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher make their official picks, and discuss all the ways Phillies owner John Middleton failed to read the room with his comments about Harry the K's and the Connie Mack clock going away at Citizens Bank Park.

The Phillies rewarded All Star left-hander Cristopher Sanchez with a new contract extension this week that recognizes his stature as one of the five best pitchers in baseball. Also, the Phils' Opening Day roster is set, and we know how the lineup and starting rotation are going to line up, days ahead of the start of the regular season. On Episode 1054 of Hittin' Season, powered by WHYY in Philadelphia, host John Stolnis of SB Nation's The Good Phight breaks down the roster, Sanchez' new deal, and the news that a top division rival has suffered another devastating injury setback.

Bryce Harper had his "elite" moment at the World Baseball Classic, slugging the biggest home run of the tournament for Team USA. John Stolnis of The Good Phight breaks down another iconic blast from Harper and ranks it among his top-10 HRs all time as a Phillie. Also on Episode 1053 of Hittin' Season, powered by WHYY, John breaks down the latest Phillies' position battles in spring training, Adolis Garcia's big day, and chats with Atlanta Braves writer Demetrius Bell of SB Nation's Battery Power to preview their 2026 season.

What will Bryce Harper's batting average be with runners in scoring position? How many home runs will Kyle Schwarber hit? How low will Aaron Nola's ERA be? On Episode 1052 of Hittin' Season, John Stolnis of The Good Phight sets the line on the most important numbers for the most important Phillies in 2026, as Baseball Prospectus' Justin Klugh and SABR's Liz Roscher try to decide if the number is too high or too low. Also, a Phils World Baseball Classic update. Are you concerned about Harper's struggles? Encouraged by Schwarber's start? Subscribe to the Hittin' Season podcast on Apple Podcasts here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Subscribe on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/show/6fMSJlk... Follow all WHYY podcasts here: https://whyy.org/radio-podcasts/ Follow John on X: https://x.com/JohnStolnis Follow John on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johnstolnis.... Follow Liz on X: https://x.com/lizroscher Follow Liz on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/lizroscher.b... Follow Justin on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/justinklugh.... Read John at The Good Phight: https://www.thegoodphight.com Read Justin at Baseball Prospectus: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/au.... Become a Member: https://whyy.org/membership. Buy Justin's NEW book, "Summer of the Cheap Weiners: What the 1941 Phillies Were Up To While Joe DiMaggio Was Making History" at Brookline Books! https://www.brooklinebooks.com/978195...

Justin Klugh and Liz Roscher talk about a recent Jayson Stark column in which Dave Dombrowski shared some stirring thoughts on the Phillies' off season. Also, the Phillies extended Jesus Luzardo, Aaron Nola and Dante Nori are dominating at the WBC, and the Phillies have a new Wall of Fame inductee!

The Phillies signed left-handed starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo to a five-year contract extension on Monday, locking up one of the best southpaw starters in the National League! Powered by WHYY, host John Stolnis analyzes the contract, explains why it's a good and smart deal for both sides, and how Luzardo's 2026 season may play out.