97.5 The Fanatic Phillies Notebook: Chase Utley & Mets Rivalry
The best team in baseball kept the momentum rolling against the New York Mets in convincing fashion. The Philadelphia Phillies completed an unusual four-game rivalry set with three victories against the Mets following a weekend series victory in South Florida.
Chase Utley even stopped by Citizens Bank Park for a first-hand look at his old team.
Phillies vs. Miami Marlins
- Friday 5/10: Win 8-2
- Saturday 5/11: Win 8-3
- Sunday 5/12: Loss 7-6
Phillies vs. New York Mets
- Monday 5/13: Win 5-4
- Tuesday 5/14 Win 4-0
- Wednesday 5/15: Win 10-5
- Thursday 5/16: Loss 6-5
NL East Rivalry: Phillies vs. Mets
Bob Cooney and Ray Dunne will debate whether the Phillies played one long series or two short series against the Mets. Ultimately, the National League East rivals squared up four times with two home games apiece.
The Phillies took the first two at Citi Field and split the back half at Citizens Bank Park. The four-game stretch included two extra-inning games. It drew large groups of visiting crowds in both ballparks.
It included a complete game shutout from Aaron Nola and a sloppy, rain-soaked win for the Phillies on Wednesday with Ranger Suarez on the mound.
Who better to watch a beatdown of the Mets than Chase Utley? The former World Series hero flew to Philadelphia to promote the upcoming MLB London Series.
He lightheartedly talked about his infamous role in the rivalry between the Phillies and the Mets. Utley also recounted his walk-off single off Billy Wagner in a 2007 thriller that helped the Phillies steal the NL East pennant.
The Phillies lead the NL East despite losing the season’s opening series against the Atlanta Braves. They took care of the last-place Marlins in Miami over the weekend. They took a step up against the fourth-place Mets.
They’ll now face the third-place Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park in a three-game weekend set.
Although the Phillies have a solid division lead, the Braves have played fewer games. The schedule will even out to give the Braves a chance to take advantage of a smaller gap in the loss column.
Backup Catcher
J.T. Realmuto missed three games this week due to knee soreness. The short absence forced Garrett Stubbs into the most extended action of his MLB career.
The Phillies laud Stubbs for his contributions to the loose clubhouse environment that’s helped them keep a collectively positive attitude in recent seasons.
Stubbs successfully pulled an RBI drag bunt on Monday. He also mowed down Harrison Bader with a strong throw to second base later in the game.
Related Phillies Content from 97.5 The Fanatic
- Don’t Repeat The Charlie Manuel Mistake With Rob Thomson
- Chase Utley Returns To Citizens Bank Park Ahead Of MLB London Series
- Ranger Suarez Might Have The Best Pitch in Baseball Right Now
However, a .114 batting average and .319 OPS (2024 MLB Average- .696) won’t help the Phillies if the 33-year-old workhorse Realmuto misses any extended time. Stubbs also struggled to communicate with Zack Wheeler on Sunday against the Marlins.
Rafael Marchan has struggled with injuries in recent seasons. However, he returned to the lineup for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs this week.
The Phillies hope he’s healthy enough to provide some insurance on a top-heavy organizational depth chart behind an aging Realmuto.
If Marchan can’t stay in the AAA lineup, expect Dave Dombrowski to consider dealing for a backup catcher before the MLB Trade Deadline.
Taijuan Walker Injury
The fifth-starter debate raged hot when Taijuan Walker returned from the IL on April 28. The Phillies decided to send a red-hot Spencer Turnbull to the bullpen to make room in the rotation for a pitcher they signed for $72 million just over one year ago.
Walker left Thursday’s game in the fourth inning with a left toe contusion. Rob Thomson said after the game that x-rays were negative. Walker will be evaluated for his next start.
Thomson spoke optimistically about Walker’s performance in his fourth start of 2024. Caleb Cotham made an early mound visit to emphasize the need for his starter to use his splitter. Walker also got some hitters out with his four-seam fastball.
While the 31-year-old has taken his licks, he’s also pitched serviceably behind a loaded top end of the starting rotation.
Turnbull pitched 32 ⅓ innings with a 1.67 ERA in six starts before the reassignment to the bullpen. He held opponents to a microscopic .148 batting average. He also made two scoreless relief appearance before one shaky outing against the Mets on Wednesday.
Thomson acknowledged the luxury of having a fifth starter of Turnbull’s caliber. The Phillies skipper said during the offseason that he reasonably expected to use eight or nine starters in 2024.
Appreciating Success
The legendary Larry Bowa spoke confidently about the hot start. He believes in the World Series odds for a team that’s narrowly missed two years in a row.
“I think we’re a better team than the Braves. I really do. I think our pitching’s stronger than the Braves. I like our chances with any team right now. I know the Dodgers have a top five in their batting order. They’re lights out, but I like ours one through nine… Our pitching right now stands out over everybody… I really think that when it comes down to it, pitching and defense wins games.” –Larry Bowa on Kincade & Salciunas
The incredible intensity of the most passionate fan base in professional sports will inevitably lead to criticism of Rob Thomson and nitpicks of the Phillies’ shortcomings.
However, Phillies fans should enjoy the big picture of a World Series contender. This level of sustained success doesn’t come around often, especially for this franchise.
Phillies-Nationals Starting Pitcher Probables
- Friday 5/17 at 6:40pm: Zack Wheeler (4-3, 2.53 ERA) vs. Jake Irvin (2-3, 3.55 ERA)
- Saturday 5/18 at 6:05pm: Cristopher Sanchez (2-3, 3.43 ERA) vs. MacKenzie Gore (2-4, 3.38 ERA)
- Sunday 5/19 at 1:35pm: Aaron Nola (5-2, 3.10 ERA) vs. Trevor Williams (4-0, 1.94 ERA)
History of Philadelphia Phillies Ballparks
Citizens Bank Park
2004-Present
Estimated Capacity: 43,000The grand opening of Citizens Bank Park in 2004 provided a shiny new alternative to a rundown stadium that had fallen apart. The lure of Ashburn Alley, Harry the K’s, and Bull’s BBQ created excitement for a new era of baseball in a town that had endured too much losing during the 1990s.
Three years later, the Phillies won the first of five consecutive National League East pennants. The stretch included the clinching victory in Game 5 of the 2008 World Series at Citizens Bank Park.
The Phillies sold out Citizens Bank Park for 257 consecutive regular-season games from July 2009-August 2012. It was the third-longest streak in MLB history at the time, and 16 playoff games all sold out during the same stretch.
Colin Newby | BBGI Philadelphia
Veterans Stadium
1971-2003
Estimated Capacity: 62,000 (baseball)Veterans Stadium opened during an era when MLB and NFL teams trended toward a preference for sharing multipurpose stadiums. The Houston Astrodome and Three River Stadium in Pittsburgh had recently opened before the Vet, creating some excitement for a brand new venue.
The multipurpose stadium turned into a venue associated more commonly with the Philadelphia Eagles and the tough, old school identity of the fan base. The hostility against visiting teams, the infamous jail of Judge Seamus McCaffery, and the cringy field conditions all became part of local legends personified by the Vet.
Photo by Doug Pensinger /Allsport
