The Latest Breaking News from Alec Bohm

PITTSBURGH — Before the Phillies game against the Pirates on Thursday night, interim manager Rob Thomson told his players to not take their 40-58 opponents for granted. “Get the lead,” he told them. “Step on the gas pedal.”

PHILADELPHIA — Rob Thomson has managed the Phillies on an interim basis for 55 days, not nearly long enough to establish a distinctive style of helmsmanship. If anything, the longtime coach and first-time skipper has projected consistency, calm, and a steady hand.

Despite their warts, the Phillies believe they can be a tough playoff team. It isn’t a delusional notion. They have two frontline starting pitchers, and well, anything can -- and often does -- happen in a short series.

PHILADELPHIA — When the Phillies swept the Marlins in Miami just before the All-Star break, they were playing pristine baseball. They committed no errors during that series. In their first game, they gutted out a 2-1 win despite an uncharacteristically shaky performance from closer Seranthony Domínguez. That didn’t feel like…

TORONTO — If there was ever a game to illustrate just how thin the margins are for this Phillies team, it was their 8-2 loss on Wednesday night. They had their ace on the mound in Zack Wheeler, who stepped into Rogers Centre with a 2.46 ERA. By the time…

TORONTO — Kyle Schwarber didn’t immediately commit to participating in the Home Run Derby. He gave it some thought, and, after he was voted into the All-Star Game, began to hear from his teammates. They kept asking him if he’d enter, and, finally, he announced that he would Tuesday on…

The Philadelphia catcher said, “I’m not going to let Canada tell me what I do and don’t put in my body.”

Since Joe Girardi got fired, everything’s gone right for interim manager Rob Thomson. Two starters and an MVP got hurt, but the team kept on winning. Now the Phillies have a COVID vaccination crisis looming in the Great White North, but it looks like they’ll be cool.

ST. LOUIS — If there is to be a fifth player plucked from the Cardinals’ roster and added to next week’s All-Star Game, the sage choice would be starter Miles Mikolas.

ST. LOUIS — Dylan Carlson, a late scratch because of some soreness in his right knee, became well enough to pinch run for the Cardinals' Albert Pujols after the latter had singled for his third hit of the game to open the eighth inning of a tie game with Philadelphia…

ST. LOUIS — Rob Thomson wouldn’t bite.