Philadelphia Phillies fans are no stranger to heartbreak. However, when reliever Orion Kerkering threw the series-defining dribbler home instead of to first base, this season's heartbreak stung a little more than in year's past.
With the momentum behind them, the Phillies seemed like the sure-fire champions, at least of the National League. But with the goliath of the NL West, the Phillies just couldn't get it done as it seemed as though luck, in addition to money, was on the Los Angeles Dodgers' side.
Now looking ahead to 2026, Phillies general manager Preston Mattingly has already started sowing the seeds that indicate a massive offseason is in store for Philadelphia.