The Philadelphia Phillies extended their division lead with a second consecutive win over the New York Mets on Tuesday. Despite regular-season success, the team faces growing pressure to deliver in the postseason, especially after deep playoff runs in recent years—including a World Series appearance three years ago, followed by a National League Championship Series and a Division Series exit.
Owner John Middleton has made significant financial investments in the roster and is known for being unafraid to make changes if expectations aren’t met. As ESPN’s Buster Olney noted, Middleton may look to make a managerial change if the team falls short again, particularly with an aging core of high-priced stars such as Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Zack Wheeler.
Manager Rob Thomson has led the team to a .577 winning percentage during the regular season, but expectations remain high, and the window for a championship with the current roster may be closing.
Olney pointed to Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus as a potential candidate if the Phillies decide to move on from Thomson. Ausmus previously worked under Phillies President of Baseball Operations David Dombrowski in Detroit, where he was hired as the Tigers’ manager. The two reportedly had a strong working relationship.
A former All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner, Ausmus played for the Padres, Astros, Tigers, and Dodgers. Following his playing career, he held several coaching and front-office roles, including with the Angels and Athletics, before joining the Yankees’ staff.
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