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Charlotte Varnes

@charlottevarnes.bsky.social

910 followers 89 following 38 posts

covering the phillies for the athletic • northwestern alum • other stops in IND, SF, ATL, TPA • space coast native

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Charlotte Varnes @charlottevarnes.bsky.social · 14h

The Phillies, on the brink of elimination, are fighting to play another day and get back to their home clubhouse this weekend.

On locker room dynamics, the relationships built and how quickly things could change should the Phillies lose in Los Angeles:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

Reposted by Charlotte Varnes

Matt Gelb @mattgelb.bsky.social · 3d

So many potential outfield and lineup ramifications if Harrison Bader misses even a little bit of time in this NLDS with a groin injury. Here’s @charlottevarnes.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

Harrison Bader’s injury looms over Game 1 loss: What it could mean for Phillies’ outfield

Bader, after exiting Game 1 with groin tightness, will undergo imaging on Sunday morning. What are the Phillies' options if he misses time?

www.nytimes.com

Charlotte Varnes @charlottevarnes.bsky.social · 5d

Kyle Schwarber did not want to be platooned with the Nationals in 2021.

So began a path that has made Schwarber one of the best left-on-left hitters in baseball. A look at how Schwarber’s work with his hitting coaches got him here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

How Phillies star Kyle Schwarber became one of MLB’s elite left-on-left hitters

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Charlotte Varnes

Matt Gelb @mattgelb.bsky.social · 7d

Phillies will play Game 1 of the NLDS on Saturday at either 6:08 p.m. if Red Sox advance in AL or 6:38 p.m. if Yankees advance.

Charlotte Varnes @charlottevarnes.bsky.social · 8d

“He jumped right into that stream of sunshine and made a nasty play up on the wall. And I was like, ‘Holy s —.’”

“I see a free gazelle when I watch him play.”

Harrison Bader is playing meaningful baseball in his favorite position. It’s been a gift:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

Phillies' energizer Harrison Bader embraces the 'gift' of meaningful baseball

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Charlotte Varnes

Jayson Stark @jaysonst.bsky.social · 14d

Tonight was not the first time a team hit 8 HR in a game at Citizens Bank Park.

It’s just the first time that team was known as “the Phillies.”

The A’s hit 8 last year.
The Diamondbacks did it in 2019.
The Mets did it in 2015.

But this was the first time any Philadelphia team hit 8+ in Philly

Charlotte Varnes @charlottevarnes.bsky.social · 14d

The Phillies clinched the bye.

Charlotte Varnes @charlottevarnes.bsky.social · 15d

Tonight’s game is expected to resume at 10:30.

Charlotte Varnes @charlottevarnes.bsky.social · 15d

Current status at CBP, where we’ve been in rain delay about half an hour. It’s the bottom of the ninth tied 3-3.

Charlotte Varnes @charlottevarnes.bsky.social · 15d

Zack Wheeler underwent successful thoracic outlet decompression surgery today, Rob Thomson said. A look at what could be next: www.nytimes.com/athletic/662...

What does Zack Wheeler face after TOS surgery? Merrill Kelly's recovery offers insight

www.nytimes.com

Charlotte Varnes @charlottevarnes.bsky.social · 19d

Andrew Painter made his last Triple A start of 2025 Wednesday.

July-ish did not happen. But he stayed healthy, and he learned. A look at Painter’s 2025, from focusing on fastball command to encouragement via playing video games with Jesús Luzardo: www.nytimes.com/athletic/664...

What Phillies prospect Andrew Painter learned from an up-and-down 2025 season

Painter didn't make it to the majors. But he is 118 innings wiser, 118 innings closer to his debut and helping Philly in future Octobers.

www.nytimes.com

Charlotte Varnes @charlottevarnes.bsky.social · 21d

Zack Wheeler is scheduled for thoracic outlet decompression surgery on Tuesday.

Recovery varies person to person. But the experience of Merrill Kelly, who also had venous TOS and underwent surgery in Sept. 2020, could offer some insight and optimism. www.nytimes.com/athletic/662...

What does Zack Wheeler face after TOS surgery? Merrill Kelly’s recovery offers insight

There is no one-size-fits-all recovery path. Kelly's post-surgery career success, however, offers some lessons for what could await Wheeler.

www.nytimes.com

Charlotte Varnes @charlottevarnes.bsky.social · 24d

Everyone at CBP was in wait-and-see mode watching the Rangers-Mets game on Sunday.

At the end of it all, there was no sheeting protecting the furnitures or lockers. No champagne popped. Just a quiet clubhouse getting ready for a big series in L.A. www.nytimes.com/athletic/662...

Phillies must wait to clinch NL East, but after strong week, they head west seeking more

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Charlotte Varnes

Matt Gelb @mattgelb.bsky.social · 26d

Here’s @charlottevarnes.bsky.social on one of the more impressive regular-season nights you’ll see: www.nytimes.com/athletic/662...

Phillies cap statement sweep, flex their NL East lead to 11 in ‘impressive’ fashion

It was "probably as impressive a win as we've had all year," Rob Thomson said of the Phillies' 6-4 win over the Mets after trailing by four.

www.nytimes.com

Charlotte Varnes @charlottevarnes.bsky.social · 28d

As Kyle Schwarber rounded the bases, he had one word for third base coach Dusty Wathan: Finally.

After sitting on 49 for 10 games, Schwarber became the second Phillies player to reach 50 home runs. On the moment: www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...

'Finally' 50 homers for Kyle Schwarber, who blasts his way into Phillies, MLB history

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Charlotte Varnes

Matt Gelb @mattgelb.bsky.social · 29d

The Phillies will have to be creative, at times, to reach the finish line this season. Here's @charlottevarnes.bsky.social on a key win with some outside-the-box thinking: www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...

Phillies think outside the box, snatch win over Mets to stretch NL East lead to season high

It was a day, really, of thinking outside the box at Citizens Bank Park, where the Phillies increased their NL East lead to eight games.

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Charlotte Varnes

Matt Gelb @mattgelb.bsky.social · Aug 29

Kyle Schwarber’s night wasn’t just historic — it was cathartic for a Phillies team that needed to smile about something. Here’s @charlottevarnes.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/658...

Phillies find catharsis in a ‘character win’ as homers rain at Citizens Bank Park

For a few hours in South Philly on Thursday, amid seven homers, it was easy to forget what the beginning of the week felt like.

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Charlotte Varnes

Matt Gelb @mattgelb.bsky.social · Aug 25

Some Phillies thoughts with @charlottevarnes.bsky.social from the weekend on two lefty pitchers, the outfield tea leaves: www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...

Phillies takeaways: Tanner Banks shines, Ranger Suárez’s command, the Nick Castellanos question

“He's been a godsend for us,” manager Rob Thomson said of Banks, who is enjoying his best season in the big leagues.

www.nytimes.com

Charlotte Varnes @charlottevarnes.bsky.social · Aug 18

More on Zack Wheeler’s thrombolysis procedure with comments from Rob Thomson: www.nytimes.com/athletic/656...

Zack Wheeler undergoes procedure to remove blood clot

www.nytimes.com

Charlotte Varnes @charlottevarnes.bsky.social · Aug 13

“He’s a throwback guy that fits in today’s game.”

Meet Matthew Fisher, the Phillies’ seventh rounder who signed for nearly $1 million over slot. On Evansville ties & what the multi-sport athlete brings to the organization:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/654...

Meet Phillies prospect Matthew Fisher, the big bonus pitcher with football roots

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Charlotte Varnes

Matt Gelb @mattgelb.bsky.social · Aug 9

Phillies have a 3 1/2-game lead in NL East, their largest of this season. Here’s @charlottevarnes.bsky.social on Brandon Marsh’s rise as the outfield roulette wheel keeps on spinning: www.nytimes.com/athletic/654...

Phillies’ Brandon Marsh goes 4-for-5 as outfield shuffle continues

Phillies will continue to experiment with outfield platoon situation for now.

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Charlotte Varnes

Matt Gelb @mattgelb.bsky.social · Aug 6

It's been a "roller coaster" season for Andrew Painter, who reflected it on it all with @charlottevarnes.bsky.social. Lots of insight into the top prospect in this story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/653...

Phillies prospect Andrew Painter is learning from Triple-A ‘rollercoaster’ post-Tommy John

Painter is working hard to figure out what’s next, what he can do to become better. Each start is an opportunity.

www.nytimes.com

Charlotte Varnes @charlottevarnes.bsky.social · Aug 6

“Part of the fun of this year has been, when I’ve gotten knocked down, it’s like — you still have another start.”

It has been a rollercoaster for top prospect Andrew Painter, two years removed from Tommy John. July-ish did not happen. But he’s learning:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/653...

Phillies prospect Andrew Painter is learning from Triple-A 'rollercoaster' post-Tommy John

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Charlotte Varnes

Matt Gelb @mattgelb.bsky.social · Aug 5

Kyle Schwarber's 40 HR are the most a Phillies player has ever hit in first 112 games of a season. Here's @charlottevarnes.bsky.social on another memorable Schwarber night: www.nytimes.com/athletic/653...

Kyle Schwarber hears MVP chants, hits slam to reach 40 homers: ‘The guy is unbelievable’

Schwarber remains hot for a Phillies team that leads the league with 33 homers since the All-Star break.

www.nytimes.com

Charlotte Varnes @charlottevarnes.bsky.social · Jul 22

The Phillies signed Gage Wood under-slot for $3 million. More on Wood’s first trip to Philly: www.nytimes.com/athletic/650...

Phillies first-round pick Gage Wood signs for $3 million

www.nytimes.com