Phillies Therapy Paul Boye and Matt Gelb, Bleav

There is no greater equalizer, no force more compelling, no gravity more inescapable than that of some grating defeats out west. It is inevitable. The Phillies finish navigating their stretch out in The Forbidden Lands having finally lost a series and consecutive games. Now, with Ronald Acuña Jr.'s season ending prematurely, the onus is squarely on the Phillies to keep the Braves at arm's length.

The Phillies continue to capitalize with the cards they're dealt, sweeping the Nationals over the weekend to reach a ludicrous 20 games over .500 before Memorial Day. Paul and Matt go over how the schedule has helped (but not caused) the hot start, the useful Kody Clemens, and a growing fascination with Cristopher Sánchez.

Another week, another winning record. Despite some dings and dents, the Phillies kept their no-loss series streak alive. Now, they take on two more NL East rivals in what should be a slightly tougher test than the one the Marlins provided. Paul and Matt talk about roster fits and flexibility, the reemergence of Bryson Stott, and how to strategize for potential summer trade pickups.

Phillies Pitching Coach Caleb Cotham (@ceetwo35) joins Paul and Matt as his (practically) league-leading staff has helped carry the Phils to their best start in years. He shares his thoughts on preparation and injury avoidance, game planning and altering repertoires. Plus, Paul and Matt on the Trea Turner injury and what lies ahead for the middle of the infield.

Paul and Matt's first Twitch simulcast episode (of which you are hearing the audio-only portion, naturally) finds them evaluating the ups and downs, reals and not-reals of the season's first nearly-complete calendar month.

The Phillies did what they were supposed to, and then some, sweeping consecutive home series against two downtrodden teams. Now, the tests resume on a swing across the country from Ohio to California. Paul and Matt review the team's readiness for keeping the division close, the coming rotation shuffle with Taijuan Walker's return, and take a moment to appreciate the team being in the midst of a new "golden age."