Matt Gelb

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Matt Gelb

PHILADELPHIA - Alec Bohm had a bad day at work Monday. He beat his roommate home afterward by about 10 minutes. This is the one hazard of living with a co-worker; it's easier to bring work home with you. Neither of the roommates has had fun for the last three weeks. "We try to keep it off our minds," Bohm said. But it's hard not to wallow when you have someone else to share the pain. Then, Brandon Marsh walked in the door.

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Matt Gelb

PHILADELPHIA - Brandon Marsh leaned on the dugout railing at Citizens Bank Park for most of Monday night's game. He wore a red T-shirt without his uniform top underneath. His long hair was not wet. He did not anticipate playing because, 16 games into this season, the manager deemed his center fielder needed a break. He is hitless in his last 26 at-bats, a brutal streak but still well shy of franchise infamy.

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Matt Gelb

Before Andrew Painter stepped on a mound in a regular-season minor-league game for the first time in 938 days - just another milepost in the prospect's path toward the majors - even Dave Dombrowski was a little excited. The Phillies' president of baseball operations has more pressing matters; he cannot begin to consider Painter as a viable call-up until the summer. But the right-hander's ascension is a meaningful subplot to this Phillies' season.

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Matt Gelb

ATLANTA - The bullpen door opened after a two hour, 45 minute rain delay, and a lefty with the last name Bummer emerged. The Phillies and Braves had postgame flights to take, but someone had decided it would be worthwhile to stick around all night to finish this baseball game. The remaining people in the soaked seats were treated to 40 percent off all food and beverages - except alcohol. The seventh-inning stretch arrived at 11:35 p.m. The game offered chances at redemption, again and again.

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Matt Gelb

ATLANTA - By the time José Alvarado fired his 30th pitch Wednesday night, he had consumed at least 10 coffee drinks. He swears this is true. The man has a tattoo of a small mug with the words "Coffee is life" inked on his left hand. He starts the day with six espressos, then it's a steady drip through the night. His final coffee at Truist Park came in the seventh inning, and this is something Alvarado can now plan. He knows he's pitching for the Philadelphia Phillies in the eighth or ninth inning.