Todd Zolecki

NEW YORK -- Orion Kerkering sat in front of his locker inside a mostly empty visitors’ clubhouse late Friday night at Citi Field. He had started the sixth inning of a one-run game against the Mets, but five batters later, he surrendered a three-run home run to Juan Soto to

NEW YORK -- The Phillies’ late-inning bullpen situation is tenuous at best, and that was before Jonathan Bowlan left Thursday night’s 3-0 victory over the Mets at Citi Field in the eighth inning with tightness in his right groin. Bowlan tweaked his groin on a 1-1 pitch to Francisco Lindor.

ATLANTA -- Phillies rookie Andrew Painter has pitched better than he did on Sunday afternoon at Truist Park, but he showed something. Painter struggled with his command in the heat and humidity, but he left with a one-run lead in the fifth inning in a 9-4 victory over the Braves.

This story was excerpted from Todd Zolecki’s Phillies Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

How is Philly's postseason outlook with 12 games to play?

ATLANTA -- Something must have been on Bryce Harper's mind when he circled the bases in the first inning on Saturday night at Truist Park. Maybe he wanted to spark something in a rivalry that has been decidedly one-sided this year. Maybe he just wanted to have some fun. Harper

ATLANTA -- Phillies rookie Andrew Painter has pitched better than he did on Sunday afternoon at Truist Park, but he showed something. Painter struggled with his command in the heat and humidity, but he left with a one-run lead in the fifth inning in a 9-4 victory over the Braves.

ATLANTA -- Before Don Mattingly discussed the Phillies’ latest excruciating loss at Truist Park, he led with another one. Phillies left-hander Jesús Luzardo will not pitch on Saturday night because of stiffness in his left shoulder. Luzardo threw a two-hit shutout Monday against the Braves at Citizens Bank Park, but

PHILADELPHIA -- Don Mattingly was shagging fly balls in the outfield at Citizens Bank Park earlier this week, when a ballpark employee approached him from the stands and offered his opinions about the Phillies’ lineup. He told Mattingly that he needed to drop Kyle Schwarber from leadoff to cleanup.

This story was excerpted from Todd Zolecki's Phillies Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.