Still shocked and frustrated about the Phillies?

Didn’t it feel strange not watching them Sunday night?

Most Phillies fans feel that way on both accounts after their latest debacle against the Mets. This one may have been worse than last year’s collapse at home against the Diamondbacks.

So, where do they go from here?

In this week’s version of my Behind the Plate column — investigating present and past trends involving the Phillies, Yankees and Mets — I’ll take a look at a few possible solutions for the Phillies problems, and will continue to follow up on them in the weeks to come.

Also, I’ll look at some postseason clippings as baseball’s most important season begins.

Ta Ta Thomson? ... Phils president Dave Dombrowski and manager Rob Thomson will address the media Tuesday, and it will begin the next phase.

Will Thomson be gone? Surely, there has to be a fall guy here, and it likely could be hitting coach Kevin Long or pitching coach Caleb Cotham? Or does bullpen coach Cesar Ramos go? Is low-profile GM Sam Fuld in trouble?

Thomson has been criticized for the team’s lack of fire and regular execution besides hitting the long ball. There has been plenty of chatter about starting Zack Wheeler for Game Four against the Mets or bringing him in the game.

Through the year, plenty of Thomson’s moves have been critiqued and debated. What can save him is the team’s World Series appearance. However, Charlie Manuel was bounced in August 2013 after a World Series appearance in 2009.

Best guess here is that Thomson is back. Yes, he has made his share of slip-ups. Yet, he played the hand he was dealt, and the players let him down in the end.

Set The Table ... Kyle Schwarber has played an admirable role for the Phillies in the leadoff spot, but it’s becoming more evident that they need a speedy, pesky player in the role.

Schwarber has delivered power with 131 homers in three years, but his batting averages have been .248, .197, and .218. Schwarber has 881 strikeouts, and 15 stolen bases during the span. Keep Schwarber for his power, but move him in the lineup. To his credit, Schwarber did have a .366 on-base percentage, among the league’s top 10 in the role.

One who may be available via a trade is Boston outfielder Jarren Duran. The 28-year-old outfielder was the AL All-Star Game MVP last season. He hit .285 with 21 homers, 75 RBIs, scored 111 runs and stole 34 bases. His downside is 54 walks and 160 strikeouts. Reportedly, the Red Sox would trade Duran for a starting pitcher, and the Phils might be able to put together a package for him.

There also is Reading outfielder and top 2022 draft pick Justin Crawford, who is currently projected to be with the parent club in 2026. Crawford hit a combined .313 between single-A Jersey Shore and Reading this past season with nine homers, 61 RBIs, 79 runs scored, 42 stolen bases, 32 walks and 93 strikeouts.

It’s hard to find a fit in the 2025 free-agent pool, so it looks like a trade would be a better option.

Minor Details ... If you look back to the 1980 and 2008 Phillies title teams, they were built through the farm system. It always amazes me how the Braves can roll out prospect after prospect.

When you look at the Phillies minor league prospect success over the last few years, it’s hard to find the next Mike Schmidt or Cole Hamels. Can Alec Bohm or Bryson Stott fully develop over the next few years? That will be a story for another column.

In the near future, the Phils will need to revamp the system that flows from Lehigh Valley and Reading.

On a promising note, Dombrowski indicated over the weekend that oft-injured pitching prospect Andrew Painter is expected to be fully recovered from Tommy John surgery, and likely will be part of the 2025 staff. Taijuan Walker, who was injured and never regained his status from last year, figures to be back with $36 million remaining on his contract.

Fox Hunts ... FOX and MLB execs are hungry for a Yankees-Dodgers World Series based on the possibilities of huge ratings, as well as monumental revenue streams between the two largest markets. It’s also a showdown between Aaron Judge and Shonei Ohtani, which would also generate an international base.

The 1978 Yankees-Dodgers World Series still holds the largest viewer share at 44.2 million viewers, while the 1980 Phillies-Royals is close behind with 42.3.

Last year’s World Series between the Diamondbacks and Rangers generated only a 4.7, the lowest since rating began in 1972, despite it being an interesting series.

Time Passages ... In 1988, Dodgers pitcher Orel Hershiser won the NLCS MVP and helped his team win the pennant in six games over the Mets.

Hershiser twirled a five-hitter in the deciding Game Seven in a 6-0 victory in one of the more intense postseason bouts at the time. The right-hander finished with a 1-0 record and a save with a stingy 1.09 ERA with 15 strikeouts in three starts. Tim Belcher was 2-0 with 16 strikeouts and 4.11 ERA.

Dwight Gooden recorded 20 strikeouts in two starts, and Randy Myers picked up two wins in relief for the Mets.

Mike Scioscia led the light-hitting Dodgers (.214 team average) with a .364 clip, while the Mets hit just .242 — led by ex-Phillies Lenny Dykstra (.429) and Gregg Jeffries (.333).

Do you remember John Tudor? The ex-Cardinal made one start for the Dodgers, but gave up four runs and eight hits over five innings.

Speaking of the Yankees-Guardians series, do you remember Jaba Chamberlain? He spent seven years with New York and ended his career in Cleveland.

However, Chamberlain is most remembered for the “bug game” in the 2007 ALDS. As a rookie set-up man for closer Mariano Rivera, Chamberlain tried to preserve a 1-0 lead in the eighth.

He was swarmed by bugs on the mound in the humid Cleveland night, and lost his command and the lead. Cleveland won the game, 2-1, in 11 innings, and the series in four games. The Game Four winning pitcher was ex-Phillie Paul Byrd.

Trivia Time ... With Ohtani currently having the inside track for the NL MVP, who was the last Japanese player to win a major award?

Readers Write

Another Phillies Pflounder

Hi Jeff,

Well, it’s going to be another long winter in the city of Brotherly Love.

Here are some of my thoughts about Games Three and Four against the Mets:

Game Three: 1. starting pitching - Aaron Nola didn’t have a good game; 2. relief pitching- Instead of keeping it close, they just plain (stank); 3. - offense - Where was it?

Game Four: 1. starting pitching - Although it wasn’t one of his best games, Ranger Suarez kept their offense in line; 2. relief pitching - See game 2 and 3. So what else is new?; 3a - offense - Again, “Gone With The Wind; 4. - the Phillies had a difficult time in putting runners on base. When they did, their attempts to drive them home were futile.

Although Nola is under contract until 2030 and a few high-level players are signed through 2025, don’t be surprised when the roster changes occur in the not so distant future.

Richard Ochs

Walnutport, PA

On Starting Pitching

Dear Jeff,

I really enjoyed your article on the changing role of major league starting pitchers over the years.

This was highlighted by the way Dave Roberts managed the Dodgers’ pitching staff this season. The Dodgers’ starters were on the IL (injured list) more than on the mound. Dodger success can be credited to their strong relievers.

Their Games Four and Five against the Padres was concrete evidence. A potent Padres’ lineup was stymied for 24 consecutive innings by mainly the relief staff. Perhaps having a pitcher throw only one strong inning is the key.

We shall see if this winning formula continues against the Mets.

Paul J. Dallara

Hawley, PA

Trivia Answer ... Ichiro Suzuki is the last Japanese player to win an award besides Shohei Ohtani, winning the AL MVP award in 2001.

For What’s It’s Worth ... I’m going with the Dodgers in seven, and the Yankees in six. Still believe the Mets have their mojo, and Yanks-Guardians could be a good one unless Aaron Judge breaks out and Gerrit Cole finds his mark.

Your letters, thoughts, ideas, and comments are always welcomed by emailing tnsports@tnoline.com