If you just typed "who won the Phillies game" into your search bar, I have some news that might be a little jarring. It’s January 18, 2026. The grass at Citizens Bank Park is likely frosty, the Phanatic is probably hibernating, and the Phillies haven't played a game of baseball in months.
But I get why you're asking. Maybe you saw a headline about a "win" or a "loss" and thought you missed an early Spring Training exhibition. Or perhaps, like many of us in Philly, you're just so hungry for Red October vibes that your brain is skipping the winter entirely.
Honestly, the only "game" happening right now is played in front of computer screens and over expensive steak dinners. It’s the MLB offseason, and while there are no scores on the board, the wins and losses in the front office are piling up fast.
Why There’s No Score for the Phillies Game Today
Right now, the Phillies are in the dead center of the "Hot Stove" season. The 2026 regular season doesn't actually kick off until March 26, 2026, when the Phils are scheduled to face the Texas Rangers.
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If you saw a notification about a Philadelphia team losing a heartbreaker yesterday, you were likely looking at the Philadelphia Flyers. They dropped a rough one to the New York Rangers on January 17, losing 6-3. It’s easy to get the alerts mixed up when you’re scanning your phone quickly, especially since both teams share that iconic orange-and-red DNA of South Philly sports.
But in the world of baseball, the "game" being played is for the roster. And lately, Dave Dombrowski has been taking some heat for how that game is going.
The Big "Win" of the Week: J.T. Realmuto is Back
If we’re talking about who won the Phillies game in the front office, the biggest news just dropped a couple of days ago. On January 16, 2026, the Phillies officially re-signed J.T. Realmuto to a three-year, $45 million deal.
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It’s a win for stability. The "Best Catcher in Baseball" moniker might be debated more these days as he enters his mid-30s, but the pitching staff reportedly would have been "fit to be tied" if he hadn't returned. He’s the floor general.
Recent Transactions (The Offseason Scorecard)
- J.T. Realmuto: Re-signed (3 years, $45M).
- Kyle Schwarber: Back on a 5-year deal signed earlier this winter.
- Adolis García: The new face in right field.
- Jesus Luzardo: A massive trade acquisition from the Marlins to bolster the rotation.
- The Big Miss: Bo Bichette.
That last one is the "loss" fans are talking about. The Phillies were heavily linked to Bichette, but the New York Mets swooped in at the last second with a high-AAV short-term deal that Philly just wouldn't match. Seeing a target like that go to a division rival feels like a walk-off home run against you in the bottom of the ninth.
What Most People Get Wrong About January Baseball
People often think Spring Training starts on New Year's Day. It doesn't. We still have about a month before "Pitchers and Catchers Report" becomes the most beautiful phrase in the English language.
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The current focus isn't on batting averages; it's on arbitration. Just last week, the Phillies settled with a huge chunk of their core. Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott, Brandon Marsh, and the newly acquired Jesus Luzardo all signed one-year deals to avoid arbitration.
It’s technical, it’s dry, and it doesn't involve any diving catches. But it’s how you keep a 96-win team (which they were in 2025) from falling apart.
When Can You Actually See a Game?
If you're looking for an actual box score, you've got to wait until the Grapefruit League starts in Clearwater. The Phillies will start playing exhibition games in late February.
Until then, the "score" is really just about whether the roster is better than it was last year. Some fans are grumpy. They feel like the team is just "running it back" with the same guys who flamed out in the NLDS recently. Others look at the addition of Luzardo and Adolis García and see a team that’s finally addressed its biggest holes.
Actionable Next Steps for Phillies Fans
- Check the Schedule: Mark March 26 on your calendar for Opening Day against the Rangers.
- Follow the Prospects: Keep an eye on Andrew Painter and Justin Crawford. Painter is officially on the 40-man roster now, and 2026 is widely expected to be his breakout year after his long recovery.
- Monitor the Bullpen: The Phils still feel a bit light in the late innings. Expect more minor league signings with Spring Training invites over the next two weeks.
- Ignore the "Ghost" Scores: If you see a score for a Phillies game before February 20, it’s either a glitch, a simulation, or you’re looking at a replay of the 2008 World Series (which, honestly, is always a good use of time).
The Phils aren't playing today, but the quest for a parade down Broad Street is very much active in the front office. We're just in the quiet part of the year where no news is usually good news, unless the Mets sign someone else we wanted.