Phightin' Words: A Phillies Podcast

Trea Turner back at SS for Phillies? Reaction to Dombrowski | Ep 118 | 10/15/26 | Phightin' Words

Show notes

Dave Dombrowski answered media questions for an hour on Thursday, and some answers were curious, like that Trea Turner will be given a chance to stay at SS. There was much more, including the re-hiring of Don Mattingly. On planning to stay employed for a few more seasons. On hiring a new hitting coach. On hiring Carlos Mendoza. The future of roster construction ... and a lot more. Bob and Ant react to a busy day for the Phillies. Subscribe to Phightin' Words wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on X: https://x.com/antsanphilly https://x.com/Bob_Wankel https://x.com/PhightinPodcast Want more Flyers talk? Subscribe to Snow The Goalie: https://www.youtube.com/@snowthegoalie Looking for more Philly Sports Talk? Watch The Russ Joy Show: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRussJoyShow Are you a pro wrestling fan? Check out It's Just Wrestling: https://www.youtube.com/@itsjustwrestlingpod#Phillies

#RingTheBell #PhiladelphiaPhillies #MLB

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Oct 16, 2026 1 hr 6 min

Could the Phillies Move Off a Big Money Player This Winter? | Ep 117 | 10/5/26 | Phightin' Words

Show notes

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Oct 5, 2026 1 hr 3 min

Phillies -Braves Wild Card Series Game 2 was bonkers | Ep 116 | 10/1/26 | Phightin' Words

Show notes

Bob and Ant react to the absolutely epic Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series between the Phillies and the Braves, and the emotional roller coaster it brought. From Bryce Harper's legacy-saving home run after a near-legacy-tarnishing misplay in the field, to Alec Bohm being at the center of a comeback for the ages both offensively and defensively, to Andrew Painter having what J.T. Realmuto called a "career-altering performance." The guys then look ahead to Game 3. Will it be Aaron Nola? Will it be Zack Wheeler? Will it be both? Can they put together enough offense to beat back the Braves in the playoffs yet again? Plenty to discuss this morning. Don't miss it! Subscribe to Phightin' Words wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on X: https://x.com/antsanphilly https://x.com/Bob_Wankel https://x.com/PhightinPodcast Want more Flyers talk? Subscribe to Snow The Goalie: https://www.youtube.com/@snowthegoalie Looking for more Philly Sports Talk? Watch The Russ Joy Show: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRussJoyShow Are you a pro wrestling fan? Check out It's Just Wrestling: https://www.youtube.com/@itsjustwrestlingpod#Phillies

#RingTheBell #PhiladelphiaPhillies #MLB

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Oct 1, 2026 55 min

Instant reaction to Game 1, Phillies -Braves Wild Card Series | Ep 115 | 9/29/26 | Phightin' Words

Show notes

Bob and Ant react to everything that happened in Game 1 of the Wild Card series between the Phillies and Braves. Subscribe to Phightin' Words wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on X: https://x.com/antsanphilly https://x.com/Bob_Wankel https://x.com/PhightinPodcast Want more Flyers talk? Subscribe to Snow The Goalie: https://www.youtube.com/@snowthegoalie Looking for more Philly Sports Talk? Watch The Russ Joy Show: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRussJoyShow Are you a pro wrestling fan? Check out It's Just Wrestling: https://www.youtube.com/@itsjustwrestlingpod

#Phillies #RingTheBell #PhiladelphiaPhillies #MLB

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Sep 30, 2026 44 min

The Phillies Escape Collapse & Face the Braves in the Playoffs | Ep 114 | 9/28/26 | Phightin' Words

Show notes

This episode could have gone in a completely different direction if a couple things went differently Sunday. Instead, they didn't, and the Phillies advanced to the postseason for the fifth straight year and draw the Braves... again. Ant and Bob look back at the weekend that was (or wasn't) and look ahead to the Wild Card series that begins Tuesday afternoon. Subscribe to Phightin' Words wherever you get your podcasts! Follow on X: https://x.com/antsanphilly https://x.com/Bob_Wankel https://x.com/PhightinPodcast Want more Flyers talk? Subscribe to Snow The Goalie: https://www.youtube.com/@snowthegoalie Looking for more Philly Sports Talk? Watch The Russ Joy Show: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRussJoyShow Are you a pro wrestling fan? Check out It's Just Wrestling: https://www.youtube.com/@itsjustwrestlingpod#Phillies #RingTheBell #PhiladelphiaPhillies #MLB

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Sep 28, 2026 1 hr 2 min

The Phillies Season Has Reached the Brink | Ep 113 | 9/25/26 | Phightin' Words

Show notes

The Phillies still haven't clinched a playoff berth as the season enters its final weekend. Bob thinks they're done-zo. Anthony isn't confident they can do much in the playoffs, but is clinging to one thing that can make them turn things around quickly. The guys debate and discuss and also talk about the Luis Arraez injury, Andrew Painter's strong finish, and pick on a couple of usual targets who deserve more criticism today. All that and more!

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Sep 25, 2026 1 hr 4 min

Extreme Philllies Playoff Bullpen Makeover | Ep 112 | 9/21/26 | Phightin' Words

Show notes

The Phillies split with the Mets. It wasn't great. One reliever got hurt. Another was shipped out. Dave Dombrowski said they have to fix it - and they have a plan. He wouldn't say it specifically, but it sounds like Jesus Luzardo (who is now playing catch) and Andrew Painter could be shifted into the 'pen. Jonathan Bowlan is also expected back. Ant and Bob tackle this whole plan and see if they think it can work. They also talk about the hard fall of Orion Kerkering, some positives at the top of the lineup, and some negatives at the bottom of it. All that and more on this episode.

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Sep 21, 2026 1 hr 3 min

No Luzardo? No Problem. Phillies Leaning on an "Old Reliable" | Ep 111 | 9/18/26 | Phightin' Words

Show notes

Admittedly, Bob saw a decent second half from Aaron Nola (kudos to him), but he didn't see THIS. Nola has been one of baseball's better pitchers for the past six weeks, maybe since the All-Star break. Ant and Bob discuss how he's helped save the season, in a way. Also, a look at the Luzardo injury. Oh yeah, the Jonathan Bowlan injury. And now the Phillies are bringing in Jose Urquidy to eat innings in the final week of the season. The offense is struggling so much that they had three sac bunts in a game for the first time since the DH was introduced. Alec Bohm is decent at the end of a season - for once. All the hand-wringing here, but if Philadelphia rooted for the Cubs, it would be the same, if not worse. And for one last thing: a player Philly loves to boo, but who deserves some real cheers (double entendre) this week. All that and more in a slightly shortened, yet jam-packed episode.

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Sep 18, 2026 46 min

Back to School for the Phillies, Who Need Baserunning 101 | Ep 110 | 9/11/26 | Phightin' Words

Show notes

Bob and Ant are flummoxed by the Phillies' inability to grasp even the most basic understanding of base-running fundamentals sometimes. It cost them a pair of games this week and, ultimately, probably cost them the N.L. East. There were some positives from a losing series to Houston, but not many. Zack Wheeler looked the best he has in six weeks. Trea Turner hit four balls the other way in the same game (baby steps); Kyle Schwarber seems to be back in his groove. But not much else came out of it. Andrew Painter didn't pitch well. Cristopher Sanchez got hit around - and with a lot of hard contact. Bryce Harper has cooled off. And what happened to that approach at the plate that was so infectious in August? The Phillies are chasing everything again all of a sudden. This episode is probably not for the optimists out there, but you pessimists will likely relish it.

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Sep 11, 2026 1 hr 3 min

The Phillies Could Have Swept the Braves, But Didn't. | Ep 109 | 9/8/26 | Phightin' Words

Show notes

Ant and Bob react to the four-game split with Atlanta that certainly should have gone the Phillies way but didn't. And why? Because their margin for error is so slim. Friday's loss was nightmare fuel for the playoffs. Sunday's loss was stubbornness to a fault that did the Phillies in. All the while, the starting pitching was in the range of good to superhuman, and yet, the Phillies find themselves in the same place they were in before the series began. There's still hope, but the Phillies have to keep winning and get some help. Needless to say, it's looking more and more like the Cubs and the Wild Card is in their future. The question is , where would it be better for them to start? Also, is the Wild card the better path? A former MLB pitcher told Ant the Phillies have a better shot reaching the World Series as either the No. 4 or No. 5 seed. And Ant has not one, but two items for "One Last Thing." Consider it a bonus!

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Sep 9, 2026 1 hr 5 min

A Showdown for the NL East Between the Phillies and Braves | Ep 108 | 9/4/26 | Phightin' Words

Show notes

Bob and Ant break down every possible aspect of the massive four-game series between the Phillies and Braves that begins Friday at Citizens Bank Park with one heck of a pitching matchup between Chris Sale and Christopher Sanchez. Bob asks if Jonathan Bowlan is leaking oil. Ant wonders if Luis Arraez hasn't been as big an acquisition as fans think. Andrew Painter won't pitch this series, but we almost wish he was. And what's up with this Aidan Miller tease? What do you make of it? All that and more!

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Sep 4, 2026 1 hr 9 min

Is it Time to Believe in the Phillies? Maybe, Maybe Not. | Ep 107 | 9/1/26 | Phightin' Words

Show notes

Ant is back from Anaheim; Bob still doesn't know what to make of the Phillies. But they've won 14 of 16, although some nights, you wonder how. The guys discuss Zack Wheeler's encouraging performance on Sunday. Alex McFarlane as a bullpen dude, especially after Monday. Speaking of the bullpen, was Monday an example of how it will be used in the playoffs? How about the Phillies' baserunning recently? Oh, and where do they stand as an ABS challenge team? That and a lot more.

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Sep 4, 2026 56 min

Put These Phillies Pitchers in the Proper Playoff Order | Ep 106 | 8/27/26 | Phightin' Words

Show notes

Ant woke up before the cows and chickens in Anaheim to chat with Bob about the Phillies as they prepare for their weekend series against the Angels. They discuss the order the Phillies should be thinking about for the rotation in the postseason - assuming they get there - and also look at what went wrong in Seattle and what went right. They discuss whether a conversation between Trea Turner and Ichiro Suzuki can finally unlock the Phillies shortstop's season. Bob is ready to give Bryce Harper his elite label back, and on a trip around baseball, Ant points out a worse defensive shortstop than Turner, Chris Sale making the Dodgers look silly, and his favorite long-shot story in a long time. Plus, one last thing where baseball, again, can't get out of its own way and trips all over itself with its latest proposal.

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Aug 28, 2026 1 hr 7 min

Children of the Corn: Phillies Trip to Iowa Changed Everything | Ep 105 | 8/24/26 | Phightin' Words

Show notes

Bob and Ant are still trying to find the words to talk about the Phillies nine-game winning streak, especially with the way it continued on Sunday. But they find a way to talk about four two-strike hits that scored six two-out runs and pulled a victory from the jaws of defeat. They'll also discuss the outstanding performance by Andrew Painter on Saturday, the best bench they've had in this five-year run, and Ant will tell you why this is starting to feel like a previous season from the not-too-distant past.

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Aug 24, 2026 1 hr 15 min

Phillies: Object in the Rearview Mirror Closer Than It Appears | Ep 104 | 8/21/26 | Phightin' Words

Show notes

Bob and Ant try to make sense of the Phillies, who are the most unconventional good team, maybe ever. Thanks to their season-best six-game winning streak entering Friday, they are back within shouting distance in the NL East race. Is it realistic that they can catch the Atlanta Braves? The boys discuss. Also, a look at Aaron Nola turning into a phoenix rising from the ashes, a defensive assessment of the team after watching the new-look positional alignment, and Ant argues that Bryce Harper has been the catalyst for this Phillies turnaround on offense more than any other player. All that and more.

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Aug 21, 2026 1 hr 13 min

Do We Have to Be Nice to the Phillies' Alec Bohm for Now? | Ep 103 | 8/18/26 | Phightin' Words

Show notes

Ant is back from Iowa and Minnesota, and the Phillies have won four straight, with a good offense all of a sudden, thanks, in part, to the scorching hot Alec Bohm. Bob's not ready to send the guy flowers, but he does recognize it's been a good run for the oft-criticized first baseman. The team's offensive approach has been excellent, but can they sustain it? A guy who does deserve a bouquet is Derek Hill, who just always seems to do something positive when he gets his chance. There are always concerns, however. Andrew Painter is one, especially since he has a bunch of starts remaining. And the bullpen was going well - until Monday. All that and more on this episode.

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Aug 18, 2026 1 hr 11 min

All That Once Was Good About the Phillies Could Be Again | Ep 102 | 8/14/26 | Phightin' Words

Show notes

Ant is in Iowa, and ready to share everything he can with Bob about the Field of Dreams, which he'll say was the coolest place he's ever seen a sporting event. Meanwhile, as bad as the Phillies looked in St. Louis, they looked good in Dyersville. Kyle Schwarber hit two more homers, Luis Arraez had three hits, Brandon Marsh looked like his first half All-Star self, and Aaron Nola is starting to become somewhat reliable again. But we can't let all the good feeling of a schmaltzy baseball story get in the way of what happened under the arch at Busch Stadium, right? There's still some ugly that needs to be chewed through, and the boys will do that while looking ahead to the rest of the weekend in Minnesota.

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Aug 15, 2026 1 hr 5 min

The Phillies Just Seem to Drive You to Drink | Ep 101 | 8/10/26 | Phightin' Words

Show notes

Don Mattingly said it best when taking the podium for his post game press availability on Sunday when he looked at a bottle of water sitting on the dais and said, "It feels like this should have tequila in it." Yes. Yes it does. Bob and Ant discuss the long, long weekend of baseball against the Toronto Blue Jays, including the following: Is it fair to justify poor performance from the bullpen because they are gassed? Do the strategic decisions Mattingly makes make you long for the days of Rob Thomson? At what point do the Phillies say enough is enough with starting Alec Bohm? Are the Phillies too conservative on ABS challenges? Is Kyle Schwarber back after hitting one more home run on Sunday than he had since the All-Star break? What the hell with Zack Wheeler and rubbergate? All that and more. Don't miss this episode!

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Aug 10, 2026 1 hr 16 min

Phillies Offense Starting to Arraez from the Dead | Ep 100 | 8/7/26 | Phightin' Words

Show notes

On the 100th Episode of Phightin' Words, Bob and Ant talk about the impact the arrival of Luis Arraez has had on the Phillies, and not just offensively; Bryce Harper looks like Nick Castellanos in right field; Ant explains why Don Mattingly's defensive substitution for Harper makes no sense; Bryson Stott is officially on fire, can he sustain it? Ditto Jose Alvarado; What's up with Cristopher Sanchez being a little wild all of the sudden? It looks like the Phillies dodged a bullet on some injuries, but the fact that they were holding their breath speaks to their utter lack of depth. And is Kyle Schwarber FINALLY starting to emerge from his more than one month long freefall? All that and more.

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Aug 7, 2026 1 hr 14 min

Phillies Take a Bird Bath in Baltimore as Deadline Arrives | Ep 99 | 8/3/26 | Phightin' Words

Show notes

Today (August 3) is the trade deadline and, well, the Phillies haven't done anything yet. They will, but it's starting to look more and more like it's going to e a measured approach to improve on the margins and not make a big splash. Maybe Dave Dombrowski pulls a rabbit out of a hat somehow and a bigger name is headed to the Phillies in about nine hours, but it's starting to feel like that's not going to be the case. Bob and Ant look at the deadline for what it is, and also look back at a weird weekend in Baltimore including one of the wildest rain-related decisions in the history of the sport. You had to be there to truly experience it. Also, a one last thing that hearkens back to the days of Curt Schilling.

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Aug 4, 2026 1 hr 11 min

Phightin' Words: A Phillies Podcast

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