Phillies intrasquad game: Captains share details on fantasy drafting and extra skin in the game

When the Philadelphia Phillies clinched a 1st round bye in the 2024 MLB playoffs, there was one question on everybody’s mind. How are the Phillies going to stay sharp in their 5-day layoff?

The Phillies’ leadership decided on an intrasquad game on Wednesday. It’ll be conducted just like any other game for the Phillies. There will be umpires. The scoreboard will be going. There will even be walk-up music and crowd noise.

How the Phillies’ in Tra squad Game is Set up

The 2 teams started with 2 captains on each side. JT Realmuto and Kyle Schwarber will be on one side and Bryce Harper and Trea Turner are on the other.

A draft was set up to form the squads. A coin flip decided who got the first pick. The captains filled a hat with positions and whichever was drawn was the player group from which they selected.

Harper and Turner selected Ranger Suárez as their starting pitcher. Realmuto and Schwarber drew 3B and selected Alec Bohm. Since Ranger went to one side, Kolby Allard was drafted as the starter for Realmuto and Schwarber’s team.

“Relievers are in the grey area,” said lefty Tanner Banks. “We’re just the middleman.” The relievers will be brought in at Rob Thomson’s discretion. They are pitching to stay fresh for the postseason. President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski mentioned that rules will be loose on bullpen usage to make sure relievers don’t throw too many pitches.

Trea Turner said that they’re “trying to make it fun” and are “trying to make it competitive.” “I know we’ll take it pretty seriously,” he continued.

Although not normal, Realmuto had fun fantasy-drafting his teammates. “I’ve never done anything like that before,” said Realmuto. “It was pretty fun.”

There’s even chatter of some wager or reward on the line. “We’re going to put a little skin in the game and play for something,” said Realmuto. As to what that something was, “I can’t disclose that information,” said Realmuto.

“[we’ll] have a little bet, have a little something on the line,” echoed Turner. No one gave a clue to what could be on the line.

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports