Phillies managing partner John Middleton said a CEO not only has the authority but "the responsibility and obligation to step in" when there's an impasse on decisions such as whether to fire a manager.
Another dominant Gerrit Cole playoffs performance has Buster and Karl Ravech comparing the Houston ace to another all-time great (14:32). The guys also discuss Tyler Glasnow's pitch-tipping, X-factors in each championship series, the firing of Gabe Kapler and more. Plus, Rena Banena's "Bleacher Tweets" and some jovial conversations about underage drinking and baseball sitcoms (31:33).
Gabe Kapler has been fired as manager of the Phillies after just two seasons, including an 81-81 finish this year after adding Bryce Harper amid a $401 million free-agent spending spree.
The Phillies announced plans Tuesday to extend safety netting for 2020, becoming the 13th MLB team to commit to or put in extensions since a toddler's 5/29 head injury on a foul liner in Houston. The Astros, Braves, Chisox, Dodgers, Nats & O's have installed extensions & the Brewers, D-backs, Jays, Pirates, Rangers & Royals said they plan to. Some teams say they're considering extensions and the Marlins had extended theirs to 150 feet past each dugout before the 2019 season.
The Astros, Yankees and Dodgers clearly were up to the task all season, but which teams were pleasant surprises and which ones disappointed?
Bryce Harper got two hits and a standing ovation to close out his first season in Philadelphia, and the Phillies finished at 81-81 after a 4-3 loss to the Miami Marlins on Sunday.
Bryce Harper hit one of three Philadelphia home runs, and Zach Eflin pitched 7 2/3 strong innings as the Phillies beat the Miami Marlins 9-3 on Saturday night.
Adam Haseley's fielder's choice scored Rhys Hoskins with the winning run in the 15th inning as the Philadelphia Phillies outlasted the Miami Marlins 5-4 on Friday night.
Stephen Strasburg was dominant in his final regular-season start and the Washington Nationals held their lead in the NL wild-card chase, beating the Philadelphia Phillies 6-3 on Thursday to sweep the five-game series.
Buster and Keith Law discuss the Brewers' hot streak and how the organization's recent success stems from the top-down (12:49). Plus, Keith defends Gabe Kapler's managing style and also speculates on the future of the Phillies and Indians. Nationals OF Adam Eaton also explains what's so special about his team (32:45) before Sarah Langs plays "The Numbers Game" (36:36) and before MLB.com's Mandy Bell explains why tonight is a must-win for the Indians (40:58).
Phillies slugger Bryce Harper called out some Nationals fans, saying they crossed the line while heckling him in the eighth inning Wednesday.
Wilmer Difo drove in the go-ahead run with an RBI single in the seventh inning and Anibal Sanchez pitched seven solid innings as the Washington Nationals beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-2 on Wednesday night.
Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto won't play again this season and will have surgery Friday to clean up the meniscus in his right knee.
ESPN Chicago's Jesse Rogers talks about the Cubs' epic collapse (33:35) but before that, Buster speaks with Jessica Mendoza about Gabe Kapler's future, the return of Jose Ramirez, Washington's incredible second half and why the league must figure out a way to shorten extra-inning games (15:34). Plus, a newly-married Hembo joins for "Hembo Knows" (27:42) and Buster and Troy give the season's final "Power 10" (42:28).
Trea Turner's go-ahead grand slam in the sixth inning lifted Washington to a 6-5 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies for a doubleheader sweep Tuesday that helped the Nationals clinch an NL wild card, capping quite a turnaround for a team that was...
The Phillies and their $330 million right fielder, ex-Nats star Bryce Harper, were eliminated from postseason contention with a loss to Washington in Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader.
Anthony Rendon drove in Washington's first two runs with a pair of sacrifice flies to raise his major league-leading RBI total to 124, and the Nationals moved closer to clinching an NL wild-card berth by winning a doubleheader opener against the...
Did the two free agents we talked about all winter live up the hype in Year 1? Would their new teams sign them again? And who will play in October first?
Patrick Corbin pitched six effective innings, and the Washington Nationals beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-2 on Monday night to strengthen their playoff positioning.
Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto sat out Monday night's 7-2 loss to the Nationals with right knee soreness after leaving Sunday's loss in Cleveland in the eighth inning.
This is it! Here's how to enjoy -- or sweat out -- the race to the finish line for the teams still in the running and players pursuing hardware.
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 97 | 65 | .599 | - | L3 |
| Washington | 93 | 69 | .574 | 4 | W8 |
| New York | 86 | 76 | .531 | 11 | W3 |
| Philadelphia | 81 | 81 | .500 | 16 | L1 |
| Miami | 57 | 105 | .352 | 40 | W1 |
