Phillies fan mood — September 22, 2026

Duran and McFarlane are the only universally trusted arms heading into October — Kirkering has been demoted, Bolin is hurt, Raley is untouchable, and Alvarado inspires more dread than confidence despite a recent ERA dip.

Playing catch Sunday at Citi Field and reporting it a 'great day,' Luzardo's shoulder progression is trending toward a bullpen role in the wildcard round — a development described as shifting from below 50% odds to genuinely realistic.

The rookie striking out Juan Soto on three 100-plus MPH fastballs in a two-on, two-out jam was the weekend's most electrifying moment — and the clearest signal that he may be the second-most trusted arm on this roster heading into October.

The team's worst-in-baseball OPS+ tells the whole story — Marsh's second half has been catastrophic, Realmuto has posted three sub-.200 months, Turner is walking more but producing less, and the plan for October is built on scoring three or four runs and praying the starters go deep.

Sanchez's death stare leaving the mound after being pulled at 98 pitches crystallized ongoing unease about the manager — one host flatly said she wishes his tenure to end, and questions about whether he'll deploy Durant and McFarlane smartly in the playoffs are real and unresolved.