After the Phillies took two of three games in Chicago against a strong Cubs team, a known Philadelphia sports engagement-baiter posted his favorite engagement bait to X and Bluesky.
Through 28 games...
2025 Phillies: 15-13
2008 Phillies: 15-13
1980 Phillies: 15-13 pic.twitter.com/blYe5zI2kX
— John Foley (@2008Philz) April 28, 2025
The replies, as always, were fascinating. A mix of optimism ("Done deal Phils win the title simple math," "WORLD SERIES CHAMPS"), pessimism ("This team isn't close to those two teams in talent," "This Phillies team stinks"), and a surprising amount of rage ("Fuck off with this shit," "Name your price. I'll pay you anything to not tweet these ever again").
Why does this win/loss oddity seem to occur every year? Why do Phillies' fans reactions to this information differ so wildly? Why should anyone care? Why is Jadakiss as hard as it gets?
A quick Q&A may be helpful.
How does this happen almost every year?
The first 142 seasons of Phillies baseball produced two championship teams. And both of those teams--the 1980 club and the 2008 WFCs--hovered around .500 much of the year before catching fire late in the season. So their records will occasionally line up with most Phillies squads.
Things just felt different in 1980 and 2008 though, correct?
Not really.
On August 10, 1980, for example, a mediocre Pittsburgh Pirates squad finished off a four-game sweep of the Fightins by winning both ends of a doubleheader. The Phils scored a total of three runs in the final three games of the series. With 107 games down and 55 to go, their record was just 55-52. Fans weren't exactly planning a parade.
Similarly, the 2008 Phillies were just 54-49 in late July after an 8-2 loss to the Braves. Brad Lidge served up five runs in that game without recording an out. Morale was low.
Phillies are on against the braves, man do they need to win a series. charlie should sit howard against lefties...
Phillies suck!!!!
This phillies team is simply falling apart
With the benefit of hindsight, the championships feel as if they were inevitable. In the moment, of course, they were anything but.
"But look at the stars on those 1980 and 2008 teams!" "Eye test, bro." Surely, even at 15-13, everyone knew those guys were incredible, right?
Nah, not so much. After 28 games in 1980, Pete Rose was hitting .243. After 28 games in 2008, Ryan Howard was hitting .172.
Does this phenomenon mean the 2025 Phillies will win the World Series?
Absolutely not. The Phillies have started exactly 15-13 through 28 games 14 different times. In those seasons, their final regular season win totals ranged from 59 (in 1972) to 101 (in 1977). In addition to the two championship teams, three other 15-13 Phillies teams made the playoffs (1977, 2009, and 2023). Nine did not.
Does this phenomenon mean the 2025 Phillies won't win the World Series?
Absolutely not. C'mon, keep up. The two championship seasons looked just like this after 28 games.
Well wtf is the point of all this, then?
The point is this: Anyone who tells you they have this Phillies team figured out is lying. Doesn't matter if they're a baseball writer, someone with a popular podcast, or an anonymous social media account being unnecessarily aggressive towards a very nice On Pattison gentleman.
They. Don't. Know.
Anything can happen from here. It's why they play the games.
