Since Rob Thomson took over as manager of the Phillies, the rivalry with the Atlanta Braves has intensified.
On Thursday, Thomson compared the competition between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox in the early-mid 2000s to the competition between the Phillies and the Braves.
Thomson, a longtime Yankees front office executive and coach, sees similarities between the talented and competitive ball clubs in the Phillies-Braves and Yankees-Red Sox matchups.
The Phillies and Braves are set to face off on Friday at 3:05 p.m., after a rain delay, in a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park.
The Phillies, led by Thomson, have a 13-19 (.406) record against the Braves in the regular season, including a 5-8 record last year. Thomson's Phillies have eliminated the Braves in the last two NLDS playoffs, winning 3-1 both times.
In 2023, the Phillies reached the NLCS for the second consecutive season after missing the playoffs for 10 years. Thomson took over for Girardi when the Phillies were 22-29.
Thomson, with a 155-118 (.568) record as manager of the Phillies, is determined to lead the team to win the pennant this year against the formidable Braves, who won 104 games last year.
Thomson sees the rivalry between the Phillies and the Braves as a source of respect rather than animosity, as they have faced tough battles over the past couple of years.
Thomson embraces the challenge of managing at CBP, knowing that the fans expect total effort from players and managers. He emphasizes the importance of toughness, especially when times are tough, as the fanbase can be harsh, but incredibly supportive when things are going well.
Thomson believes that managing the Phillies in Philadelphia presents a unique environment that requires toughness. He highlights the intense support from home fans and the overwhelming atmosphere for visiting teams as challenging, yet something that builds character.
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Not a big surprise, but Thomson confirmed that Kyle Schwarber will be the first batter for the Phillies. Despite his low .191 batting average and .343 OBP last season, the 47 home runs and 104 RBIs he achieved were much more significant.
Schwarber hit five home runs in the NLCS against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
