Opposition research: George Springer

The slugger has seemed to catch his second wind

After last season, it was easy to think that George Springer’s career was winding down. In his prime, Springer was a perennial All-Star who won a couple of Silver Slugger awards and was the MVP of the 2017 World Series (Although the real MVP of that series might have been the trash can). But last season, his OPS was down to .674, marking the third straight year that it had declined. At age 34, it was worth wondering just how much longer he had left.

So far in 2025, Springer’s bat has look revitalized. His slash line is a much more palatable .259/.356/.488 and while he’s unlikely to put up any more 30+ home run seasons, he’s on pace to easily top 20.

Perhaps the key to Springer’s revival is that he’s spending much more of his time at designated hitter. Springer was regarded as a decent outfielder in his prime, but like many players, he’s slowed down in his advanced age. And it seems like saving his energy for when he’s up at the plate has agreed with him:

For all of his career success, Springer has poor numbers against the Phillies. His career average is just .218 and he’s never homered against them. (Feel free to thank me after he hits two of them this weekend.)

Also, please check out this Springer highlight and note the Phillies aren’t the only team to make stupid baserunning errors:

X-Men character of the series

Major Mapleleaf II

Since the Phillies are playing the Blue Jays, I looked for Canadian characters who have interacted with the X-Men. I realized that Major Mapleleaf would be a good analogy for a different Blue Jay: Vlad Guerrero, Jr. But since this preview was about George Springer, and not Vladito, I wasn’t sure I could use it.

And then I realized: Who cares: It’s supposed to be a fun segment of a Phillies’ series preview. If anyone complains, I’ll offer them a refund.

Like Vlad Guerrero, Sr., Louis Sadler, the original Major Mapleleaf was one of Canada’s greatest heroes. (He kind of went a little nuts and tried to kill a baby once, but let’s ignore that.) After Sadler’s retirement, his son Louis Sadler, Jr. eventually took up the mantle of Major Mapleleaf as a member of Alpha Flight. He didn’t have any special powers per se, but he rode a magical horse. (And then he died.)

Additional thought about the series

When these teams met a week ago, the Phillies unloaded on starting pitcher Bowden Francis but struggled offensively in the other two games. The good news is that they’ll face Francis again on Saturday. But the other two starters may prove tougher: Veterans Kevin Gausman and Jose Berrios, the latter of whom just held the Phillies to one run in six innings.

Zack Wheeler will face Berrios on Sunday, which happens to be Fathers’ Day. Coincidentally, he was also the Phillies’ starter on Fathers’ Day in 2024 when he faced Corbin Burnes and the Orioles in an anticipated matchup of aces. The would-be duel turned out to be a dud, as Wheeler turned out his worst effort of the season, allowing eight runs (on four home runs) in 4.1 innings.

Here’s hoping that Wheeler fares better this year and also hoping that all of the dads out there have a great Fathers’ Day!