Hittin' Season: A Phillies Podcast

On Episode 157, host John Stolnis talks to Ben Harris, Phils writer for The Athletic and former Phillies beat writer for MLB.com about the Phillies' managerial search. What kind of manager are the Phils are looking for, and how does Matt Stairs fit into the picture? Also, an update on the MLB postseason now that the NLCS and ALCS has been set. Woe to the Washington Nationals and the fans of Washington, DC, who must feel like they are never going to win anything ever again.

On Episode 156 of The Felske Files, MLB Writer for Yahoo! Sports Jeff Passan joins the show to talk about the turmoil taking place in the Atlanta Braves' front office and the chaos taking place in the NL East. Also, predictions on the MLB playoffs, Andy MacPhail's conversation with reporters, and why the Phillies probably won't be buying big in free agency this winter.

On Episode 155, hosts John Stolnis & Justin Klugh recap the 2017 Phillies season. With its many lows and late-season highs, there's a lot to be excited about heading into 2018, but still a lot of unanswered questions. Did the Phillies handle the Pete Mackanin firing the right way? How active will they be this winter? Who will manage the team moving forward? We'll run down the final end-of-season numbers from the key players and analyze their 2017 season.

Episode 154 is a BONUS podcast, detailing the firing of Pete Mackanin as manager of the Phillies. Host John Stolnis will take you through the press conference on Friday and preview who could be on the team's radar to take over for Mackanin as skipper. Did the Phils make the right decision?

On Episode 153, host John Stolnis talks about the incredible run by the Minnesota Twins, who went from 103 losses to the postseason, and wonders, why not the Phils? Also, national baseball writer for Bleacher Report Danny Knobler joins the show to preview the postseason and tell us who he thinks the major award winners should be, and is Rhys Hoskins' slump anything to be worried about?

On this episode of the podcast, host John Stolnis is joined by former Phillies beat writer for The News Journal, Meghan Montemurro. Among the items discussed, will the Phils make a "big splash" this winter, as mentioned in a recent video by Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal? Also, what is it Pete Mackanin does well? How does the front office do about Odubel Herrera? Is J.P. Crawford going to be the team's third baseman next year? And the plight of sports writers in an ever-changing media dynamic.

On Episode 151, host John Stolnis discusses the Phillies' exciting series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and why now is the time for the Phils to improve their pitching staff. This winter. Also, Tyler Kepner of the NY Times joins the show to discuss the need to extend netting around MLB ballparks, a breakdown of the MLB pennant races, and his thoughts on the incredible Rhys Hoskins. Also, some personal thoughts about two FOPs (Friends of the Podcast), Meghan Montemurro and Kevin Cooney.

On Episode 150, hosts John Stolnis & Justin Klugh discuss whether Rhys Hoskins should finish runner-up to Cody Bellinger in the NL ROY race. Has he played enough games? Also, who will be the better player long-term, Hoskins or Aaron Judge? It looks like Pete Mackanin will be back as the Phils' manager in 2018. Is that a good thing? And Larry Andersen is stepping away from the broadcast booth a bit next season.

On Episode 149, host John Stolnis talks with Phillies beat writer for the Associated Press, Rob Maaddi about the incredible Rhys Hoskins and the potential 2018 Phillies lineup that could score a bunch of runs. Also, Graham Womack, Hall of Fame expert with The Sporting News joins the show to talk about an interview he did with former Phillie Chase Utley about his Hall of Fame chances. Also, what kind of chances do the Phillies have in landing Japanese superstar Shoehei Otani?

On Episode 148, hosts John Stolnis and Justin Klugh discuss a recent rumor that wondered if there are some in the Phillies organization who were getting "impatient" with the rebuild. Also, the Phils have played in, and lost, more 1-run games than any team in MLB. Is this a good sign for next year? And we discuss the encouraging second half by the team's offense and the continuing steady pitching of Ben Lively.

On Episode 147, host John Stolnis is joined by The Good Phight roundtable of Justin Klugh and LIz Roscher to discuss the call-up of J.P. Crawford and answer some Twitter mailbag questions.

On Episode 146, host John Stolnis talks with 94 WIP's Joe Giglio about whether the Phillies should and would target soon-to-be free agent starting pitcher Jake Arrieta this off-season. If not, what do the Phils do to improve their rotation for 2018? How will playing time work out in September with J.P. Crawford, Odubel Herrera and Aaron Altherr making things more crowded. And Stolnis bashes the September roster expansion rules for the joke that they are.

On Episode 145, hosts John Stolnis and Justin Klugh talk about the rampaging Rhys Hoskins and the havoc he's creating for NL pitchers. Can anything slow him down? Also, the Phils' pitching staff is a mess right now. How does it get fixed for 2018?

On Episode 144, a large majority of the podcast is spent talking about Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins. Phils beat writer Matt Breen of Philly.com stops by to talk about the 8 homers in 15 games Hoskins has hit, with injury updates on Odubel Herrera and Aaron Altherr as well. Tom Housenick, Iron Pigs beat writer for The Morning Call also joins the podcast to talk Hoskins, J.P. Crawford, Scott Kingery and Dylan Cozens, and what it's like to cover a minor league team that loses so many studs to the Majors. Also, host John Stolnis breaks down the NL MVP race.

On Episode 143, host John Stolnis discusses the remote possibility of Giancarlo Stanton playing for the Phillies someday soon. The reality? Don't bet on it. Also, do we want the Phillies to win in the last month and a half, or lose? Dave Cameron of Fangraphs had a very bad take about Aaron Nola, and Phillies reporter Frank Klose from ESPN 97.3 FM joins to chat about Stanton, Nola, Maikel Franco and next year's double play combination. Plus, our weekly #TrustTheProspects segment and a look at the AL Wild Card race!