Philadelphia is buzzing with anticipation as the Phillies, fresh off clinching their second consecutive NL East title and securing the No. 2 seed in the National League, gear up for another Red October. With Citizens Bank Park set to host the opening of the National League Division Series (NLDS) on October 4, the city’s baseball faithful are riding high—hoping this year’s squad can finally finish the job after several near-misses in recent postseasons.
Before the postseason fireworks begin, the Phillies gave fans a unique treat: a seven-inning intrasquad scrimmage at Citizens Bank Park on October 1. For just $10 a ticket, more than 31,000 fans packed the stands, with all proceeds benefiting Phillies Charities. The event wasn’t just about charity; it was a clever way for the team to stay sharp during their five-day layoff between the regular season’s close and the start of the NLDS—a break that’s sparked plenty of debate among players, pundits, and fans alike.
The exhibition, dubbed Pinstripes versus Powder Blues, saw some of the franchise’s biggest stars squaring off in two of the most iconic uniforms from the past four decades. Bryce Harper, donning powder blue, wasted no time getting into postseason mode, launching a home run off Walker Buehler—much to the delight of the crowd. In the end, Harper’s Powder Blues triumphed 3-0 over the Pinstripes. Jesus Luzardo dazzled with nine strikeouts in just three innings, while Aaron Nola tossed three scoreless frames, allowing only two hits and fanning three.
Manager Rob Thomson divided the rosters to keep things competitive. Team Powder Blue featured the likes of Brandon Marsh, Alec Bohm, Harper, J.T. Realmuto, and Nick Castellanos, with a strong pitching staff including Luzardo, Matt Strahm, David Robertson, Taijuan Walker, and Orion Kerkering. Team Pinstripes, meanwhile, boasted Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, Harrison Bader, Max Kepler, Bryson Stott, Rafael Marchan, and a pitching crew led by Nola, Tim Mayza, Buehler, Tanner Banks, and Jhoan Duran.
For the Phillies, the scrimmage was more than just fan service—it was a calculated move to fend off the dreaded "rust" that can come with a playoff bye. Since Major League Baseball introduced a third Wild Card team in 2022, the top two seeds in each league have enjoyed a first-round bye, skipping the Wild Card round and advancing directly to the NLDS. But is this extra rest a blessing or a curse?
It’s a question that’s haunted teams and their fans for years. The Phillies themselves have seen both sides of the coin. In 2022 and 2023, they battled through the Wild Card round, gaining momentum and ultimately toppling the Braves in the NLDS both times. But in 2024, after earning a bye, they stumbled in the Division Series against the Mets. The debate rages on: does a layoff sap a team’s rhythm, or does it offer a crucial chance to rest and reset?
Phillies shortstop and NL batting champ Trea Turner isn’t buying the narrative. "I'll say it until I'm blue in the face, it's just an excuse one way or another," Turner said on September 28. Teammate Nick Castellanos echoed that sentiment, wishing there was a way for top seeds to stay sharp without risking elimination, but acknowledging that the five-day break is simply part of the new playoff landscape.
Manager Rob Thomson, meanwhile, is focused on preparation and strategy. With built-in off days during the NLDS, he’s planning to go light on arms—projecting a postseason roster of 12 pitchers and 14 position players. Cristopher Sánchez is set to start Game 1, with Ranger Suárez likely to follow, assuming his recovery from a line drive to the thigh remains on track. Jesus Luzardo is the leading candidate for the third rotation spot, while Nola could also see action depending on matchups and game flow. Thomson is keeping the exact order "close to the vest," not wanting to tip his hand to potential opponents.
The Phillies’ bullpen, a source of strength all season, is anchored by right-handers Jhoan Duran, David Robertson, and Orion Kerkering, with lefties Matt Strahm and Tanner Banks ready to handle tough matchups. Thomson has shown a willingness to manage aggressively in the postseason, stretching his best arms across multiple innings and pulling starters earlier than in the regular season, thanks to the luxury of off days.
On the offensive side, the Phillies boast a deeper lineup than in years past. Harper and Turner—two of the most popular players in baseball, both finishing in the top 15 for MLB jersey sales this season—lead a group that saw 10 players hit double-digit home runs in 2025. Turner, recently returned from a three-week hamstring injury, looked sharp in the intrasquad game, going 1-for-4 with a single off Luzardo and showing no signs of lingering issues. "He could have run at full speed," Thomson noted, "but the risk just wasn’t necessary." Turner played all seven innings of the scrimmage, signaling he’s ready for the postseason grind.
The Phillies finished the regular season with a 96-66 record, their best since their surprise 2022 World Series run, and boasted the fourth-highest average attendance in MLB at 41,672. Their uniform choices have even become a talking point: the team posted an 85.7 percent winning percentage in the Powder Blues (6-1), 76.9 percent in the City Connects (10-3), and 69.2 percent in the classic Red Pinstripes (27-12). Maybe there’s some magic in those threads after all!
As they await the winner of the Dodgers-Reds Wild Card series—against whom they went 4-2 and 3-3, respectively, in the regular season—the Phillies know their path won’t be easy. The NLDS opens at Citizens Bank Park on October 4, with the start time depending on which American League team advances elsewhere. Game 2 follows on October 6, before the series shifts on the road for Game 3 and, if necessary, Games 4 and 5.
With a balanced lineup, a deep rotation, and a hungry core led by Harper, Turner, and Schwarber, the Phillies have all the ingredients for another deep run. Thomson summed it up best: "It’s great. You know, we had 10 guys on the team with 10 home runs, so that’s a pretty good balance… And, you know, our rotation led in quality starts by a bunch. So, really a lot of fun things to watch."
As October baseball returns to Philadelphia, the Phillies are rested, focused, and—perhaps most importantly—hungrier than ever. With the city behind them and Citizens Bank Park set to erupt, the stage is set for another thrilling postseason ride. The only question left: can this year’s squad finally deliver the championship the city craves?
