MLB The Show 25: All-Time Phillies Deliver Drama

MLB The Show 25 continues to prove that baseball gaming isn’t just about ratings and lineups—it’s about moments, decisions, momentum swings, and the thin margins that separate victory from defeat. Few modes highlight that reality better than Ranked Seasons, and few roster builds are more exciting than all-time teams. After cruising to a mercy-rule win with the all-time Colorado Rockies, the wheel spun again, landing on one of the most talent-rich franchises in baseball history: the Philadelphia Phillies.

As expected, the all-time Phillies roster is stacked. This isn’t a novelty lineup or a theme team you bring out for fun and hope to survive with. This is a legitimate god squad capable of competing with the very best teams in Ranked Seasons. Between elite modern stars, iconic legends, and some exciting new additions introduced in MLB The Show 25 Stubs, the Phillies bring depth, power, and pitching dominance to every part of the field.

What followed was a back-and-forth battle against elite competition, featuring dominant pitching, clutch hitting from new legends, questionable bullpen management, and one brutal ninth inning that decided everything.

Building the All-Time Phillies: Too Much Talent, Not Enough Spots

The first thing that becomes obvious when constructing the all-time Phillies is just how many difficult decisions need to be made. This roster is overflowing with players who are not only franchise icons, but also cards you regularly see on standard Ranked god squads.

The offense is headlined by names like Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Jimmy Rollins, players who bring elite power, speed, and defensive versatility. Schwarber remains a staple for many players due to his left-handed pop, while Harper and Turner offer five-tool value that plays at any difficulty.

But MLB The Show 25 also introduces exciting new legends, and this Phillies squad showcases several of them. Bobby Abreu is one of the standout additions this year, bringing smooth swings, gap power, and underrated baserunning. At third base sits Dick Allen, another legend capable of absolutely taking over games with his bat.

Then there’s Scott Rolen, a legend many players were eager to use. Unfortunately, roster construction is ruthless. With Allen locked in at third base, Harper or Ryan Howard at first, and a crowded outfield, there simply wasn’t a clean spot to start Rolen. Instead, he joined a stacked bench featuring Jim Thome, Richie Ashburn, and Andrew McCutchen—a bench so strong it could be a starting lineup on its own.

While staying true to franchise legacy might suggest starting Richie Ashburn in center field—especially considering his retired number—the desire to use Trea Turner’s speed and bat won out. With a team this deep, every decision comes with trade-offs.

A Legendary Rotation Sets the Tone

If the Phillies’ offense is intimidating, their rotation is downright terrifying.

The staff is led by Roy Halladay, supported by Steve Carlton, Cliff Lee, Zack Wheeler, and Robin Roberts. It’s an embarrassment of riches, mixing old-school legends with modern dominance.

Despite Halladay being the obvious ace, the decision was made to start Steve Carlton, one of MLB The Show 25’s newest legends. There’s always something special about debuting a new legend, and Carlton immediately showed why he’s considered one of the greatest left-handed pitchers of all time.

Zack Wheeler deserves a special mention. While a 99 overall version exists, the 96 overall Phillies captain card was chosen instead to activate valuable team boosts. In ranked play, synergy often matters more than raw ratings, and that strategic choice reflects how MLB The Show 25 rewards thoughtful roster building.

The bullpen, while solid, leaned heavily left-handed. With arms like Jeff Hoffman, Craig Kimbrel, David Robertson, and Yennier Cano, it was more than capable—but as the game would later show, bullpen decisions can make or break even the best teams.

Steve Carlton Dominates Early

From the opening pitch, Steve Carlton looked locked in. Facing a dangerous opposing lineup that included stars like Mickey Mantle, Ketel Marte, and Joe Mauer, Carlton wasted no time asserting control.

Mixing fastballs, changeups, sliders, and sinkers, Carlton carved through the lineup with confidence. Early innings flew by as he induced weak contact, froze hitters with perfectly located pitches, and piled up outs efficiently. A one-two-three inning early on set the tone, and by the third inning, Carlton was working on a perfect game.

The only hitter who seemed remotely threatening was Mickey Mantle, and even then, Carlton mostly kept him in check. The Phillies’ defense backed him up, with solid plays across the infield and outfield.

While the pitching was dominant, the offense struggled to capitalize early. Facing Jacob deGrom, one of the toughest matchups in MLB The Show, the Phillies found themselves grounding out, missing hangers, and getting fooled by devastating changeups low and away.

For several innings, the game felt like a classic pitcher’s duel—elite arms trading zeros while every at-bat felt like a battle.

Chase Utley Breaks Through

Eventually, the stalemate broke thanks to Bobby Abreu, who delivered the Phillies’ first hit of the game. That spark was all the lineup needed.

Soon after, Chase Utley stepped in and punished an inside fastball, launching a home run that gave the Phillies the lead. The crowd came alive, momentum shifted, and for a moment it felt like the game might tilt fully in Philadelphia’s favor.

Carlton continued to dominate, cruising through perfect innings and showing no fear regardless of the matchup. His confidence was evident—lefty or righty, power hitter or contact bat, it didn’t matter. Steve Carlton was dealing.

However, perfection never lasts forever.

Momentum Swings and a Tight Game

Eventually, the opposing lineup broke through, ending Carlton’s perfect game and tying the score. Just like that, the razor-thin margins of Ranked Seasons were on full display.

Both managers began dipping heavily into their benches, burning pinch hitters early. These moves added another layer of strategy, especially with so many dangerous bats waiting for matchup advantages later in the game.

Despite a few tense moments—including a Schwarber misplay scare that thankfully only resulted in a double—Carlton continued to deliver quality innings. By the seventh, he had firmly established himself as the Phillies’ MVP on the mound.

New Legends Deliver in the Seventh

The defining moment of the game came in the seventh inning, and fittingly, it belonged to MLB The Show 25’s new legends.

The inning began with a clutch double from Dick Allen, showcasing his elite timing and power. With pressure mounting, Scott Rolen finally got his chance off the bench—and he made it count, driving in the tying run with a beautiful swing.

Moments later, Bobby Abreu delivered yet again, giving the Phillies the lead with a perfectly placed hit. In one inning, all three new legends—Allen, Rolen, and Abreu—made decisive impacts.

It was a reminder of why these additions matter. New legends aren’t just nostalgic names; they can change games.

A Ninth-Inning Collapse

With a lead in hand, Steve Carlton exited after a brilliant outing, and Craig Kimbrel was entrusted with closing duties. At first, the decision made sense—experience, velocity, and a history of clutch performances.

But baseball is cruel.

A leadoff walk on a borderline pitch, followed by a series of heartbreakingly close hits, quickly unraveled the inning. A double that barely stayed fair, a sacrifice play that Schwarber nearly stopped, and relentless pressure from an elite opposing lineup all added up.

Ketel Marte proved especially dangerous, and the decision to stick with Kimbrel for one batter too many ultimately proved costly. Three runs crossed the plate, flipping the game on its head.

Sometimes, bullpen management is the difference. This was one of those times.

Final Push Falls Short

Down in the bottom of the ninth, the Phillies faced Dennis Eckersley and needed magic. Unfortunately, the offense never found its footing. Weak contact, late swings, and missed pitches defined the final inning.

JT Realmuto, struggling all game, had one last chance to be the hero—but an inside sinker ended the comeback hopes buy MLB 25 Stubs.

Game over.

A Tough Loss, But a Memorable Battle

Despite the loss, this game was everything MLB The Show 25 does best: tense, competitive, and filled with unforgettable moments. The all-time Phillies proved they belong among the elite, and Steve Carlton’s performance alone made the game worth playing.

The seventh inning, where three new legends came through in succession, was a perfect snapshot of why franchise teams and new content keep the game fresh.

In Ranked Seasons, sometimes you do everything right and still lose. That’s baseball.

With the Phillies chapter complete, the all-time team wheel spins again—and next up, it’s the Baltimore Orioles. Another historic franchise. Another stacked roster. Another chance for greatness.

And that’s the beauty of MLB The Show 25.