Sep 20, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson (49) looks on against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the third inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
PHILADELPHIA - The plan for this year's five-day break for the Phillies between the end of the regular season and the start of the NLDS is going to be similar to last year's plan with a couple subtle changes and one big change.
You.
The Phillies announced on Friday that they were opening up Wednesday's intrasquad game to fans.
And while part of the reason for that is to raise money for charity and to offer an affordable opportunity for fans to see the team play, part of it was designed from a psychological approach.
They want the players to feel like it's an actual game in every aspect.
"We want to make the game as real as possible," manager Rob Thomson said. "We did it last year with all the walk-up songs, the scoreboard and everything like that. But now we're going to add this layer to it. Hopefully that helps."
Playing an intrasquad game with music and scoreboard stuff without fans is akin to what it was like playing games in empty stadiums in 2020 during the pandemic.
Something just doesn't feel right.
Adding fans, who will be reacting to every pitch, every play, will only enhance the feel of the game.
Rob Thomson on the difference between being an opponent at Citizens Bank Park in the playoffs versus the home team
(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/rRBQinhWZi
Thomson said there are other subtle changes that the team will employ this year that is different than last - he said they'll ramp up the high velocity and curveball machine, for example.
But really, the only major difference is the inclusion of the fans.
The Phillies have gotten a great response from fans already. They are now considering opening up the upper levels of the ballpark to accommodate an ever-growing crowd.
Pretty cool: Phillies have already sold 18,000 tickets for Wednesday’s intrasquad game at Citizens Bank Park. Possible they open sales to upper decks. The ticket proceeds are being donated to Phillies Charities.
And it makes sense. The Phillies want their players to stay locked in as much as they can with five days off. It's not easy to do in a sport that relies on the consistency of playing every day.
And on top of that, the Phillies have been more locked in this season then they were last season at this point.
There's no question that for a contending team, the trade deadline is an inflection point. This year, since the trade deadline, the Phillies were 34-18 going into Saturday's penultimate game of the season against Minnesota.
Last year, in the same stretch of games, the Phillies were 29-24. But even then, they went 9-10 in the last 19 games leading into the final weekend of the season. This year? 13-6.
Things are a little different this time around. They're not coasting in the final month waiting to flip a switch.
"There's always urgency, but I think they stayed locked in and focused (this year) and really focused on the goals at hand," Thomson said. "One was obviously getting in the playoffs. Then winning the division, getting (a bye) and now it's getting home field (advantage) throughout. I think they've stayed focused on that."
The Phillies still do have an outside shot at clinching the No. 1 seed. They need to win their last two games and the Milwaukee Brewers lose their last two games. The Brewers are playing Cincinnati, who is tied with the New York Mets for the final wild card spot in the NL with two to play.
So, it's not a complete long shot.
That said, if things don't go the Phillies way on Saturday night, then how they handle Sunday will be a little different.
"(Sunday's) probably going to be about workload with (Cristopher Sanchez), but that could change," Thomson said. "If we win tonight and Milwaukee loses, then we'll get after it."
Thomson said there would probably be two different lineups that he would have ready - one if the they could still pass the Brewers, and one if they can't.
One guy who may or may not be a part of it regardless of the situation is Trea Turner. Turner again went through a full workout on Saturday and is a possibility to play Sunday.
Trea Turner says when it comes to hitting and defensive work he feels great. Says the last step for him is being able to go full speed without thinking about it.
Said he’d love to get a game in before the season ends, but the priority is obviously the postseason. pic.twitter.com/harqiB72Sk
The Phillies would like to get him a few at bats at game-level so he's not coming into the playoffs having not faced Major League pitching in almost a month.
But Thomson said there are a lot of factors that would dictate that, and that he didn't have a resolution before the game.
But would he know by postgame?
"I think I'll know," he said. "But whether I announce it or not, I'm not sure."
Always keeping his cards close to his vest, Thomson is - but it's that time of year. Not sure anyone is opposed to that tactic, or any other the team feels it needs to employ in pursuit of a championship.
