The Philadelphia Phillies couldn’t have asked for a better time to take a breather, with Thursday’s day off providing some much-needed respite after an 11-4 blowout loss to the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday. That defeat marked their sixth loss in the last nine games, erasing much of the optimism that came with a strong 7-2 start to the 2025 season.
Amid this recent slump, manager Rob Thomson has been making adjustments to the lineup, hoping to spark a turnaround. However, one particular decision on Wednesday evening ended up backfiring in spectacular fashion.
Veteran catcher J.T. Realmuto has been one of the Phillies’ key contributors over the years, but this season, he’s been struggling. The three-time MLB All-Star hasn’t been able to find his usual form, leading many fans to believe he might benefit from a day off to reset. Instead, Thomson opted for a more unconventional approach—placing Realmuto at designated hitter for the first time since 2022.
“I think it’s important to keep J.T. in a rhythm while also giving him a day off behind the plate,” Thomson explained, defending the decision.
Unfortunately for the Phillies, the gamble didn’t pay off. Realmuto went hitless in five at-bats, striking out four times and drawing just one walk. The numbers are staggering: in his last nine games, Realmuto is slashing just .200/.333/.300, with six hits, one home run, three RBIs, and a concerning 10 strikeouts in 30 at-bats.
While Thomson’s intention was to keep his star catcher engaged and avoid giving him a full day off, the decision may have only compounded Realmuto’s struggles. The 34-year-old is in a contract year, and with free agency looming at season’s end, his confidence is more fragile than ever. This misstep could have a long-term impact on his mindset as he looks to rebound and prove he’s still one of the game’s elite catchers.
The hope now is that Thursday’s off day will give Realmuto the rest he needs to regain his form. The Phillies are undeniably a better team when he’s at his best, and if they are to have any hopes of contending for the World Series in 2025, they need the three-time Silver Slugger to return to his top-tier performance.
Currently, the Phillies sit with the third-best World Series odds (+1000) on FanDuel Sportsbook, but their championship aspirations will be hard to fulfill unless their veterans, like Realmuto, start to hit their stride again.