1978 Philadelphia Phillies season

Offseason

• March 7, 1978: George Bell was signed as an amateur free agent by the Phillies.
• March 24, 1978: Fred Andrews was traded by the Phillies to the New York Mets for Bud Harrelson.

Regular season

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Notable transactions

• April 23, 1978: Julio Franco was signed by the Phillies as an amateur free agent.
• June 14, 1978: Bobby Brown and Jay Johnstone were traded by the Phillies to the New York Yankees for Rawly Eastwick.
• June 30, 1978: Carmen Castillo was signed by the Phillies as an amateur free agent.
• September 2, 1978: Dan Warthen was traded by the Phillies to the Houston Astros for Dan Larson.
• September 14, 1978: Horacio Piña was purchased by the Phillies from the Rieleros de Aguascalientes.

Draft picks

• June 6, 1978: 1978 Major League Baseball draft
  • Ed Hearn was drafted by the Phillies in the 4th round.
  • Ryne Sandberg was drafted by the Phillies in the 20th round. Player signed June 15, 1978.
  • Rick Leach was drafted by the Phillies in the 24th round, but did not sign.

Phillie Phanatic

The Phillie Phanatic debuted on April 25, 1978, at The Vet when the Phils played the Chicago Cubs. Tim McCarver introduced the Phanatic on the "Captain Noah and His Magical Ark" show on WPVI-TV in his role promoting the team. The Phanatic was originally portrayed by Dave Raymond.

Game log

|- style="background:#fbb" | 1 || April 7 || Cardinals || 1–5 || Bob Forsch (1–0) || Steve Carlton (0–1) || None || 47,791 || 0–1 |- style="background:#bfb" | 2 || April 8 || Cardinals || 7–0 || Larry Christenson (1–0) || Eric Rasmussen (0–1) || None || 24,441 || 1–1 |- style="background:#bfb" | 3 || April 9 || Cardinals || 12–3 || Randy Lerch (1–0) || John Urrea (0–1) || None || 35,104 || 2–1 |- style="background:#bbb" | – || April 11 || Expos || colspan=6 | Postponed (rain); Makeup: September 26 as a traditional double-header |- style="background:#fbb" | 4 || April 12 || Expos || 7–8 || Steve Rogers (1–1) || Jim Lonborg (0–1) || Bill Atkinson (1) || 19,110 || 2–2 |- style="background:#bfb" | 5 || April 14 || @ Cardinals || 4–3 || Steve Carlton (1–1) || Pete Vuckovich (0–1) || Tug McGraw (1) || 17,921 || 3–2 |- style="background:#bfb" | 6 || April 15 || @ Cardinals || 3–2 (10) || Tug McGraw (1–0) || Pete Vuckovich (0–2) || None || 13,844 || 4–2 |- style="background:#fbb" | 7 || April 16 || @ Cardinals || 0–5 || Bob Forsch (3–0) || Randy Lerch (1–1) || None || 11,495 || 4–3 |- style="background:#bfb" | 8 || April 17 || @ Pirates || 6–2 || Jim Lonborg (1–1) || John Candelaria (1–2) || None || 7,343 || 5–3 |- style="background:#bbb" | – || April 18 || @ Pirates || colspan=6 | Postponed (rain); Makeup: August 4 as a traditional double-header |- style="background:#bbb" | – || April 21 || @ Expos || colspan=6 | Postponed (rain); Makeup: April 22 as a traditional double-header |- style="background:#fbb" | 9 || April 22 (1) || @ Expos || 3–7 || Wayne Twitchell (1–1) || Steve Carlton (1–2) || Stan Bahnsen (1) || see 2nd game || 5–4 |- style="background:#fbb" | 10 || April 22 (2) || @ Expos || 3–5 || Ross Grimsley (3–0) || Larry Christenson (1–1) || Stan Bahnsen (2) || 19,237 || 5–5 |- style="background:#fbb" | 11 || April 23 || @ Expos || 2–5 || Steve Rogers (2–2) || Jim Lonborg (1–2) || Darold Knowles (1) || 17,922 || 5–6 |- style="background:#bfb" | 12 || April 24 || Cubs || 12–2 || Randy Lerch (2–1) || Woodie Fryman (0–1) || None || 20,115 || 6–6 |- style="background:#bfb" | 13 || April 25 || Cubs || 7–0 || Jim Kaat (1–0) || Dennis Lamp (1–3) || None || 17,227 || 7–6 |- style="background:#fbb" | 14 || April 26 || Cubs || 2–4 || Rick Reuschel (3–2) || Steve Carlton (1–3) || Bruce Sutter (3) || 17,299 || 7–7 |- style="background:#bfb" | 15 || April 28 || Padres || 3–2 || Larry Christenson (2–1) || Bob Owchinko (1–2) || Ron Reed (1) || 26,872 || 8–7 |- style="background:#bfb" | 16 || April 29 || Padres || 7–2 || Jim Lonborg (2–2) || Dave Freisleben (0–2) || None || 28,390 || 9–7 |- style="background:#bfb" | 17 || April 30 || Padres || 11–4 || Randy Lerch (3–1) || Randy Jones (1–2) || None || 31,101 || 10–7 |- style="background:#bfb" | 18 || May 1 || @ Reds || 12–1 || Steve Carlton (2–3) || Tom Seaver (0–3) || None || 21,476 || 11–7 |- style="background:#fbb" | 19 || May 3 || @ Reds || 3–12 || Fred Norman (4–0) || Larry Christenson (2–2) || None || 26,054 || 11–8 |- style="background:#bfb" | 20 || May 5 || Mets || 9–4 || Jim Lonborg (3–2) || Nino Espinosa (1–2) || Tug McGraw (2) || 22,116 || 12–8 |- style="background:#bfb" | 21 || May 6 || Mets || 7–2 || Steve Carlton (3–3) || Pat Zachry (3–1) || None || 22,250 || 13–8 |- style="background:#bfb" | 22 || May 7 || Mets || 8–5 || Gene Garber (1–0) || Craig Swan (1–2) || Tug McGraw (3) || 39,106 || 14–8 |- style="background:#bbb" | – || May 8 || Astros || colspan=6 | Postponed (rain); Makeup: July 21 as a traditional double-header |- style="background:#fbb" | 23 || May 9 || Astros || 1–5 || J. R. Richard (2–3) || Larry Christenson (2–3) || None || 18,144 || 14–9 |- style="background:#bfb" | 24 || May 10 || Astros || 3–1 || Jim Lonborg (4–2) || Mark Lemongello (2–4) || None || 20,096 || 15–9 |- style="background:#bfb" | 25 || May 11 || Reds || 4–1 || Steve Carlton (4–3) || Tom Seaver (1–4) || None || 32,580 || 16–9 |- style="background:#fbb" | 26 || May 12 || Reds || 0–3 || Bill Bonham (4–0) || Randy Lerch (3–2) || Paul Moskau (1) || 38,179 || 16–10 |- style="background:#fbb" | 27 || May 13 || Reds || 3–4 || Manny Sarmiento (3–1) || Tug McGraw (1–1) || None || 35,802 || 16–11 |- style="background:#bfb" | 28 || May 14 || Reds || 7–4 || Larry Christenson (3–3) || Tom Hume (2–5) || Ron Reed (2) || 30,482 || 17–11 |- style="background:#fbb" | 29 || May 15 || @ Astros || 0–5 || J. R. Richard (3–3) || Jim Lonborg (4–3) || None || 9,943 || 17–12 |- style="background:#fbb" | 30 || May 16 || @ Astros || 1–6 || Mark Lemongello (3–4) || Steve Carlton (4–4) || None || 11,381 || 17–13 |- style="background:#fbb" | 31 || May 17 || @ Astros || 1–2 || Joaquín Andújar (3–2) || Randy Lerch (3–3) || Tom Dixon (1) || 11,856 || 17–14 |- style="background:#bfb" | 32 || May 18 || @ Astros || 8–5 || Gene Garber (2–0) || Joe Sambito (2–1) || None || 10,828 || 18–14 |- style="background:#fbb" | 33 || May 19 || @ Mets || 3–4 || Skip Lockwood (3–3) || Tug McGraw (1–2) || None || 13,181 || 18–15 |- style="background:#bfb" | 34 || May 20 || @ Mets || 9–4 (11) || Tug McGraw (2–2) || Dale Murray (1–2) || None || 14,110 || 19–15 |- style="background:#fbb" | 35 || May 21 || @ Mets || 5–6 (10) || Skip Lockwood (4–3) || Tug McGraw (2–3) || None || 18,183 || 19–16 |- style="background:#bbb" | – || May 23 || @ Cubs || colspan=6 | Postponed (rain); Makeup: June 30 as a traditional double-header |- style="background:#fbb" | 36 || May 24 || @ Cubs || 4–6 (10) || Bruce Sutter (4–2) || Gene Garber (2–1) || None || 17,901 || 19–17 |- style="background:#fbb" | 37 || May 25 || @ Cubs || 1–5 || Rick Reuschel (5–3) || Steve Carlton (4–5) || Bruce Sutter (6) || 19,788 || 19–18 |- style="background:#fbb" | 38 || May 26 || @ Braves || 2–4 || Phil Niekro (5–6) || Randy Lerch (3–4) || None || 16,638 || 19–19 |- style="background:#bfb" | 39 || May 27 || @ Braves || 6–5 || Tug McGraw (3–3) || Rick Camp (0–2) || Gene Garber (1) || 15,081 || 20–19 |- style="background:#fbb" | 40 || May 28 || @ Braves || 3–5 || Preston Hanna (4–0) || Larry Christenson (3–4) || Jamie Easterly (1) || 22,233 || 20–20 |- style="background:#bfb" | 41 || May 29 || Pirates || 4–3 (14) || Warren Brusstar (1–0) || Dave Hamilton (0–1) || None || 34,353 || 21–20 |- style="background:#bfb" | 42 || May 30 || Pirates || 6–1 || Steve Carlton (5–5) || Bert Blyleven (3–5) || None || 26,123 || 22–20 |- style="background:#fbb" | 43 || May 31 || Pirates || 1–2 || John Candelaria (5–6) || Randy Lerch (3–5) || Kent Tekulve (5) || 29,595 || 22–21 |- style="background:#bfb" | 44 || June 2 || Dodgers || 4–2 || Jim Lonborg (5–3) || Burt Hooton (4–5) || Gene Garber (2) || 42,347 || 23–21 |- style="background:#bfb" | 45 || June 3 || Dodgers || 5–1 || Tug McGraw (4–3) || Terry Forster (1–1) || None || 31,442 || 24–21 |- style="background:#bfb" | 46 || June 4 || Dodgers || 9–4 || Jim Kaat (2–0) || Tommy John (7–3) || None || 42,066 || 25–21 |- style="background:#bfb" | 47 || June 5 || Giants || 4–3 || Steve Carlton (6–5) || Vida Blue (6–4) || Ron Reed (3) || 37,684 || 26–21 |- style="background:#bfb" | 48 || June 6 || Giants || 7–6 || Tug McGraw (5–3) || Gary Lavelle (4–4) || None || 28,093 || 27–21 |- style="background:#bfb" | 49 || June 7 || Giants || 5–4 || Tug McGraw (6–3) || Randy Moffitt (5–2) || None || 20,708 || 28–21 |- style="background:#bfb" | 50 || June 9 || Braves || 6–1 || Larry Christenson (4–4) || Eddie Solomon (1–4) || None || 40,272 || 29–21 |- style="background:#bfb" | 51 || June 10 || Braves || 6–2 || Jim Kaat (3–0) || Dick Ruthven (2–6) || Gene Garber (3) || 33,292 || 30–21 |- style="background:#fbb" | 52 || June 11 || Braves || 0–4 || Phil Niekro (7–6) || Steve Carlton (6–6) || None || 58,367 || 30–22 |- style="background:#fbb" | 53 || June 12 || @ Dodgers || 5–6 || Burt Hooton (5–5) || Jim Lonborg (5–4) || Lance Rautzhan (1) || 26,604 || 30–23 |- style="background:#fbb" | 54 || June 13 || @ Dodgers || 3–5 || Don Sutton (5–6) || Randy Lerch (3–6) || None || 41,257 || 30–24 |- style="background:#fbb" | 55 || June 14 || @ Giants || 1–2 || Vida Blue (8–4) || Larry Christenson (4–5) || Randy Moffitt (4) || 13,902 || 30–25 |- style="background:#fbb" | 56 || June 15 || @ Giants || 1–6 || John Montefusco (6–2) || Jim Kaat (3–1) || None || 14,754 || 30–26 |- style="background:#bfb" | 57 || June 16 || @ Padres || 5–0 || Steve Carlton (7–6) || Randy Jones (5–5) || None || 21,124 || 31–26 |- style="background:#fbb" | 58 || June 17 || @ Padres || 0–7 || Bob Owchinko (4–6) || Jim Lonborg (5–5) || None || 27,319 || 31–27 |- style="background:#fbb" | 59 || June 18 || @ Padres || 1–4 || Gaylord Perry (7–2) || Dick Ruthven (2–7) || Rollie Fingers (15) || 21,195 || 31–28 |- style="background:#fbb" | 60 || June 20 || Cardinals || 2–4 || Bob Forsch (8–6) || Larry Christenson (4–6) || Mark Littell (2) || 30,119 || 31–29 |- style="background:#bbb" | – || June 21 || Cardinals || colspan=6 | Postponed (rain); Makeup: September 8 as a traditional double-header |- style="background:#bfb" | 61 || June 22 || Cardinals || 2–1 || Steve Carlton (8–6) || John Denny (6–6) || None || 29,183 || 32–29 |- style="background:#bfb" | 62 || June 23 (1) || Cubs || 6–1 || Dick Ruthven (3–7) || Dave Roberts (3–2) || None || see 2nd game || 33–29 |- style="background:#bfb" | 63 || June 23 (2) || Cubs || 6–1 || Jim Lonborg (6–5) || Dennis Lamp (2–8) || None || 45,234 || 34–29 |- style="background:#bfb" | 64 || June 24 || Cubs || 6–2 || Jim Kaat (4–1) || Ken Holtzman (1–2) || Ron Reed (4) || 41,605 || 35–29 |- style="background:#bfb" | 65 || June 25 || Cubs || 4–2 || Larry Christenson (5–6) || Rick Reuschel (8–5) || None || 36,075 || 36–29 |- style="background:#fbb" | 66 || June 26 || @ Expos || 1–5 || Steve Rogers (9–7) || Steve Carlton (8–7) || None || 19,487 || 36–30 |- style="background:#bfb" | 67 || June 27 || @ Expos || 1–0 || Dick Ruthven (4–7) || Hal Dues (1–4) || None || 36,885 || 37–30 |- style="background:#bfb" | 68 || June 28 || @ Expos || 7–5 || Jim Lonborg (7–5) || Mike Garman (0–3) || Tug McGraw (4) || 35,182 || 38–30 |- style="background:#bfb" | 69 || June 29 || @ Cubs || 9–3 || Jim Kaat (5–1) || Dave Roberts (3–3) || Tug McGraw (5) || 25,669 || 39–30 |- style="background:#fbb" | 70 || June 30 (1) || @ Cubs || 0–2 || Mike Krukow (1–0) || Larry Christenson (5–7) || None || see 2nd game || 39–31 |- style="background:#bfb" | 71 || June 30 (2) || @ Cubs || 6–5 || Tug McGraw (7–3) || Bruce Sutter (5–3) || None || 29,525 || 40–31 |- style="background:#bfb" | 72 || July 1 || @ Cubs || 2–1 || Randy Lerch (4–6) || Dennis Lamp (2–10) || Ron Reed (5) || 26,042 || 41–31 |- style="background:#bfb" | 73 || July 2 || @ Cubs || 6–5 || Dick Ruthven (5–7) || Ken Holtzman (1–3) || Tug McGraw (6) || 25,934 || 42–31 |- style="background:#bbb" | – || July 3 || @ Mets || colspan=6 | Postponed (rain); Makeup: July 5 |- style="background:#fbb" | 74 || July 4 (1) || @ Mets || 0–4 || Pat Zachry (10–3) || Larry Christenson (5–8) || None || see 2nd game || 42–32 |- style="background:#bfb" | 75 || July 4 (2) || @ Mets || 3–2 || Rawly Eastwick (3–1) || Craig Swan (1–5) || Ron Reed (6) || 10,410 || 43–32 |- style="background:#bfb" | 76 || July 5 || @ Mets || 7–5 || Warren Brusstar (2–0) || Jerry Koosman (2–9) || Tug McGraw (7) || 8,667 || 44–32 |- style="background:#bfb" | 77 || July 6 || Expos || 7–6 || Rawly Eastwick (4–1) || Ross Grimsley (11–6) || None || 50,149 || 45–32 |- style="background:#fbb" | 78 || July 7 || Expos || 4–7 || Steve Rogers (11–7) || Dick Ruthven (5–8) || Mike Garman (6) || 45,193 || 45–33 |- style="background:#bfb" | 79 || July 8 (1) || Expos || 6–3 || Larry Christenson (6–8) || Woodie Fryman (3–7) || Ron Reed (7) || see 2nd game || 46–33 |- style="background:#fbb" | 80 || July 8 (2) || Expos || 1–8 || Hal Dues (3–4) || Jim Lonborg (7–6) || None || 50,098 || 46–34 |- style="background:#bfb" | 81 || July 9 || Expos || 8–7 || Tug McGraw (8–3) || Darold Knowles (2–2) || None || 40,949 || 47–34 |- style="background:#bbcaff;" | – || July 11 ||colspan=7 |1978 Major League Baseball All-Star Game at San Diego Stadium in San Diego |- style="background:#fbb" | 82 || July 14 || @ Braves || 2–7 || Phil Niekro (10–9) || Steve Carlton (8–8) || None || 17,464 || 47–35 |- style="background:#fbb" | 83 || July 15 || @ Braves || 2–3 || Rick Camp (2–2) || Jim Kaat (5–2) || Gene Garber (12) || N/A || 47–36 |- style="background:#bfb" | 84 || July 16 || @ Braves || 4–2 || Dick Ruthven (6–8) || Preston Hanna (7–6) || Ron Reed (8) || 20,734 || 48–36 |- style="background:#fbb" | 85 || July 17 || @ Astros || 1–2 (11) || Joe Niekro (6–7) || Rawly Eastwick (4–2) || None || 14,397 || 48–37 |- style="background:#fbb" | 86 || July 18 || @ Astros || 1–9 || J. R. Richard (9–9) || Jim Lonborg (7–7) || None || 15,478 || 48–38 |- style="background:#fbb" | 87 || July 19 || Reds || 2–7 || Dave Tomlin (6–1) || Steve Carlton (8–9) || Doug Bair (16) || 45,608 || 48–39 |- style="background:#bfb" | 88 || July 20 || Reds || 8–6 || Warren Brusstar (3–0) || Manny Sarmiento (7–6) || Tug McGraw (8) || 44,054 || 49–39 |- style="background:#bfb" | 89 || July 21 (1) || Astros || 6–1 || Dick Ruthven (7–8) || Joe Niekro (6–8) || None || see 2nd game || 50–39 |- style="background:#bfb" | 90 || July 21 (2) || Astros || 8–2 || Larry Christenson (7–8) || Rick Williams (1–2) || None || 35,389 || 51–39 |- style="background:#bfb" | 91 || July 22 || Astros || 3–2 (10) || Ron Reed (1–0) || Ken Forsch (4–4) || None || 33,672 || 52–39 |- style="background:#bfb" | 92 || July 23 || Astros || 13–2 || Steve Carlton (9–9) || Tom Dixon (5–7) || None || 30,554 || 53–39 |- style="background:#fbb" | 93 || July 24 || Braves || 1–5 || Eddie Solomon (3–4) || Jim Lonborg (7–8) || Craig Skok (2) || 30,184 || 53–40 |- style="background:#fbb" | 94 || July 25 || Braves || 0–4 || Tommy Boggs (2–5) || Larry Christenson (7–9) || None || 25,954 || 53–41 |- style="background:#fbb" | 95 || July 26 || Braves || 2–4 || Phil Niekro (12–10) || Jim Kaat (5–3) || None || 50,218 || 53–42 |- style="background:#bfb" | 96 || July 28 (1) || @ Reds || 12–2 || Randy Lerch (5–6) || Fred Norman (9–6) || None || see 2nd game || 54–42 |- style="background:#fbb" | 97 || July 28 (2) || @ Reds || 1–2 || Tom Seaver (10–9) || Steve Carlton (9–10) || Doug Bair (18) || 51,779 || 54–43 |- style="background:#fbb" | 98 || July 29 || @ Reds || 2–6 || Paul Moskau (2–2) || Jim Lonborg (7–9) || None || 49,108 || 54–44 |- style="background:#fbb" | 99 || July 30 || @ Reds || 3–5 || Tom Hume (5–10) || Larry Christenson (7–10) || Doug Bair (19) || 44,092 || 54–45 |- style="background:#bfb" | 100 || July 31 || Mets || 6–1 || Dick Ruthven (8–8) || Nino Espinosa (9–9) || None || 21,133 || 55–45 |- style="background:#fbb" | 101 || August 1 || Mets || 1–5 || Kevin Kobel (2–2) || Steve Carlton (9–11) || None || 31,085 || 55–46 |- style="background:#bfb" | 102 || August 2 || Mets || 8–6 || Randy Lerch (6–6) || Jerry Koosman (3–12) || Tug McGraw (9) || 32,382 || 56–46 |- style="background:#bfb" | 103 || August 4 (1) || @ Pirates || 2–0 || Larry Christenson (8–10) || Jim Rooker (6–8) || None || see 2nd game || 57–46 |- style="background:#fbb" | 104 || August 4 (2) || @ Pirates || 2–5 || Don Robinson (6–5) || Jim Kaat (5–4) || None || 30,865 || 57–47 |- style="background:#bbb" | – || August 5 || @ Pirates || colspan=6 | Postponed (rain); Makeup: September 29 as a traditional double-header |- style="background:#bfb" | 105 || August 6 (1) || @ Pirates || 3–2 || Dick Ruthven (9–8) || Bert Blyleven (9–7) || None || see 2nd game || 58–47 |- style="background:#bfb" | 106 || August 6 (2) || @ Pirates || 5–0 || Steve Carlton (10–11) || Jim Bibby (6–6) || None || 31,141 || 59–47 |- style="background:#fbb" | 107 || August 7 || @ Cardinals || 3–6 || Aurelio López (1–1) || Randy Lerch (6–7) || Mark Littell (6) || 18,671 || 59–48 |- style="background:#fbb" | 108 || August 8 (1) || @ Cardinals || 0–2 || Pete Vuckovich (9–9) || Larry Christenson (8–11) || None || see 2nd game || 59–49 |- style="background:#fbb" | 109 || August 8 (2) || @ Cardinals || 2–6 || Tom Bruno (2–0) || Jim Lonborg (7–10) || None || 26,880 || 59–50 |- style="background:#bfb" | 110 || August 9 || @ Cardinals || 6–3 || Jim Kaat (6–4) || Bob Forsch (9–13) || Ron Reed (9) || 16,172 || 60–50 |- style="background:#bfb" | 111 || August 10 || Pirates || 3–1 || Dick Ruthven (10–8) || Bert Blyleven (9–8) || None || 34,672 || 61–50 |- style="background:#bfb" | 112 || August 11 || Pirates || 15–4 || Steve Carlton (11–11) || Bruce Kison (3–4) || None || 35,101 || 62–50 |- style="background:#bfb" | 113 || August 12 || Pirates || 10–1 || Randy Lerch (7–7) || Jim Bibby (6–7) || None || 30,110 || 63–50 |- style="background:#fbb" | 114 || August 13 || Pirates || 3–7 || Don Robinson (8–5) || Larry Christenson (8–12) || None || 38,119 || 63–51 |- style="background:#fbb" | 115 || August 15 || Dodgers || 4–5 || Doug Rau (12–7) || Dick Ruthven (10–9) || Lance Rautzhan (4) || 38,386 || 63–52 |- style="background:#fbb" | 116 || August 16 || Dodgers || 2–5 || Bob Welch (5–0) || Jim Kaat (6–5) || None || 37,660 || 63–53 |- style="background:#fbb" | 117 || August 17 || Dodgers || 2–5 || Burt Hooton (13–8) || Tug McGraw (8–4) || Terry Forster (15) || 36,325 || 63–54 |- style="background:#fbb" | 118 || August 18 || Giants || 5–6 || Gary Lavelle (10–9) || Tug McGraw (8–5) || None || 36,554 || 63–55 |- style="background:#bfb" | 119 || August 19 || Giants || 3–0 || Steve Carlton (12–11) || John Montefusco (9–5) || None || 54,288 || 64–55 |- style="background:#bfb" | 120 || August 20 || Giants || 5–3 || Dick Ruthven (11–9) || Jim Barr (6–10) || Ron Reed (10) || 51,088 || 65–55 |- style="background:#fbb" | 121 || August 21 || Padres || 3–7 || Gaylord Perry (15–5) || Warren Brusstar (3–1) || Bob Shirley (4) || 27,124 || 65–56 |- style="background:#bfb" | 122 || August 22 || Padres || 5–3 || Larry Christenson (9–12) || Eric Rasmussen (12–10) || Ron Reed (11) || 36,339 || 66–56 |- style="background:#fbb" | 123 || August 23 || Padres || 5–6 || Rollie Fingers (5–11) || Ron Reed (1–1) || None || 31,032 || 66–57 |- style="background:#fbb" | 124 || August 24 || @ Dodgers || 4–5 || Tommy John (15–9) || Warren Brusstar (3–2) || Charlie Hough (7) || 49,064 || 66–58 |- style="background:#fbb" | 125 || August 25 || @ Dodgers || 5–6 || Lance Rautzhan (2–0) || Ron Reed (1–2) || None || 46,548 || 66–59 |- style="background:#bfb" | 126 || August 26 || @ Dodgers || 3–1 || Randy Lerch (8–7) || Doug Rau (12–8) || None || 50,194 || 67–59 |- style="background:#bfb" | 127 || August 27 || @ Dodgers || 9–3 || Larry Christenson (10–12) || Bob Welch (5–2) || None || 43,065 || 68–59 |- style="background:#bfb" | 128 || August 28 || @ Padres || 6–1 || Jim Kaat (7–5) || Randy Jones (11–12) || None || 33,768 || 69–59 |- style="background:#bfb" | 129 || August 29 || @ Padres || 9–5 || Dick Ruthven (12–9) || Bob Owchinko (8–11) || None || 13,568 || 70–59 |- style="background:#bfb" | 130 || August 30 || @ Padres || 6–5 || Warren Brusstar (4–2) || Rollie Fingers (5–12) || None || 15,941 || 71–59 |- style="background:#fbb" | 131 || September 1 || @ Giants || 3–4 || Gary Lavelle (11–9) || Steve Carlton (12–12) || None || 16,413 || 71–60 |- style="background:#bfb" | 132 || September 2 || @ Giants || 3–1 (10) || Larry Christenson (11–12) || Gary Lavelle (11–10) || None || 27,457 || 72–60 |- style="background:#fbb" | 133 || September 3 (1) || @ Giants || 1–4 || Bob Knepper (15–9) || Dick Ruthven (12–10) || None || see 2nd game || 72–61 |- style="background:#fbb" | 134 || September 3 (2) || @ Giants || 2–3 || John Montefusco (10–6) || Warren Brusstar (4–3) || John Curtis (1) || 39,596 || 72–62 |- style="background:#fbb" | 135 || September 4 (1) || @ Cardinals || 2–3 || Bob Forsch (11–15) || Randy Lerch (8–8) || Mark Littell (9) || see 2nd game || 72–63 |- style="background:#bfb" | 136 || September 4 (2) || @ Cardinals || 10–2 || Jim Lonborg (8–10) || Silvio Martínez (8–8) || None || 19,015 || 73–63 |- style="background:#bfb" | 137 || September 6 || @ Cubs || 8–1 || Steve Carlton (13–12) || Rick Reuschel (13–12) || None || 14,269 || 74–63 |- style="background:#bfb" | 138 || September 7 || @ Cubs || 5–3 || Warren Brusstar (5–3) || Donnie Moore (9–7) || Ron Reed (12) || 11,427 || 75–63 |- style="background:#bfb" | 139 || September 8 (1) || Cardinals || 1–0 || Dick Ruthven (13–10) || Tom Bruno (4–2) || None || see 2nd game || 76–63 |- style="background:#bfb" | 140 || September 8 (2) || Cardinals || 2–1 || Ron Reed (2–2) || Dan O'Brien (0–1) || None || 35,160 || 77–63 |- style="background:#bfb" | 141 || September 9 || Cardinals || 6–3 || Randy Lerch (9–8) || Bob Forsch (11–16) || None || 35,824 || 78–63 |- style="background:#fbb" | 142 || September 10 || Cardinals || 6–8 (10) || Mark Littell (2–8) || Ron Reed (2–3) || Buddy Schultz (6) || 33,106 || 78–64 |- style="background:#bfb" | 143 || September 11 || Pirates || 10–3 || Steve Carlton (14–12) || Don Robinson (12–6) || None || 33,198 || 79–64 |- style="background:#fbb" | 144 || September 12 || Pirates || 1–5 || John Candelaria (11–11) || Larry Christenson (11–13) || Kent Tekulve (29) || 31,355 || 79–65 |- style="background:#bfb" | 145 || September 13 || Cubs || 6–2 || Dick Ruthven (14–10) || Ray Burris (5–12) || None || 30,114 || 80–65 |- style="background:#bfb" | 146 || September 14 || Cubs || 11–5 || Warren Brusstar (6–3) || Rick Reuschel (14–13) || Ron Reed (13) || 20,037 || 81–65 |- style="background:#fbb" | 147 || September 15 || Mets || 4–5 (10) || Dale Murray (9–5) || Tug McGraw (8–6) || None || 29,257 || 81–66 |- style="background:#bfb" | 148 || September 16 || Mets || 2–1 (10) || Steve Carlton (15–12) || Dwight Bernard (1–2) || None || 44,307 || 82–66 |- style="background:#fbb" | 149 || September 17 || Mets || 0–2 || Mike Bruhert (4–9) || Larry Christenson (11–14) || None || 35,301 || 82–67 |- style="background:#fbb" | 150 || September 19 || @ Expos || 2–5 || Scott Sanderson (3–2) || Dick Ruthven (14–11) || Mike Garman (13) || 9,429 || 82–68 |- style="background:#bfb" | 151 || September 20 || @ Expos || 4–2 || Randy Lerch (10–8) || Dan Schatzeder (7–6) || Ron Reed (14) || 9,298 || 83–68 |- style="background:#bbb" | – || September 21 || @ Expos || colspan=6 | Postponed (rain); Makeup: September 25 in Philadelphia |- style="background:#bbb" | – || September 22 || @ Mets || colspan=6 | Postponed (rain); Makeup: September 23 as a traditional double-header |- style="background:#bfb" | 152 || September 23 (1) || @ Mets || 1–0 || Larry Christenson (12–14) || Mike Bruhert (4–10) || None || see 2nd game || 84–68 |- style="background:#bfb" | 153 || September 23 (2) || @ Mets || 6–3 || Dick Ruthven (15–11) || Dwight Bernard (1–3) || None || 9,694 || 85–68 |- style="background:#bfb" | 154 || September 24 || @ Mets || 8–2 || Steve Carlton (16–12) || Nino Espinosa (10–15) || None || 25,473 || 86–68 |- style="background:#bfb" | 155 || September 25 || Expos || 3–2 (12) || Ron Reed (3–3) || Stan Bahnsen (1–5) || None || 11,651 || 87–68 |- style="background:#bfb" | 156 || September 26 (1) || Expos || 5–3 || Jim Kaat (8–5) || David Palmer (0–1) || Ron Reed (15) || see 2nd game || 88–68 |- style="background:#fbb" | 157 || September 26 (2) || Expos || 0–3 || Rudy May (8–10) || Tug McGraw (8–7) || None || 29,506 || 88–69 |- style="background:#bfb" | 158 || September 27 || Expos || 5–4 || Larry Christenson (13–14) || Ross Grimsley (19–11) || Ron Reed (16) || 27,410 || 89–69 |- style="background:#fbb" | 159 || September 29 (1) || @ Pirates || 4–5 || Kent Tekulve (7–7) || Ron Reed (3–4) || None || see 2nd game || 89–70 |- style="background:#fbb" | 160 || September 29 (2) || @ Pirates || 1–2 || Kent Tekulve (8–7) || Steve Carlton (16–13) || None || 45,134 || 89–71 |- style="background:#bfb" | 161 || September 30 || @ Pirates || 10–8 || Randy Lerch (11–8) || Grant Jackson (7–5) || Ron Reed (17) || 28,905 || 90–71 |- style="background:#fbb" | 162 || October 1 || @ Pirates || 3–5 || Odell Jones (2–0) || Kevin Saucier (0–1) || Kent Tekulve (31) || 30,224 || 90–72 |- :The May 18, 1978, game was protested by the Phillies in the top of the seventh inning. The protest was later denied. :The attendance for the July 15, 1978, game at Atlanta was not available on the baseball-reference.com website and was omitted from Associated Press box scores. |- | Source:

Roster

Player stats

Batting

Starters by position

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

1978 National League Championship Series

Main article: 1978 National League Championship Series

The Los Angeles Dodgers win the Series, 3 games to 1, over the Phillies.

Postseason game log

|- style="background:#fbb" | 1 || October 4 || Dodgers || 5–9 || Bob Welch (1–0) || Larry Christenson (0–1) || None || 63,460 || 0–1 |- style="background:#fbb" | 2 || October 5 || Dodgers || 0–4 || Tommy John (1–0) || Dick Ruthven (0–1) || None || 60,642 || 0–2 |- style="background:#bfb" | 3 || October 6 || @ Dodgers || 9–4 || Steve Carlton (1–0) || Don Sutton (0–1) || None || 55,043 || 1–2 |- style="background:#fbb" | 4 || October 7 || @ Dodgers || 3–4 (10) || Terry Forster (1–0) || Tug McGraw (0–1) || None || 55,124 || 1–3 |- | Source:

Awards and honors

• Greg Luzinski, Roberto Clemente Award

Farm system

Notes

References

• Baseball Reference: 1978 Philadelphia Phillies season

References

1. Denlinger, Ken. (October 1, 1978). "Phils Sew It Up". The Washington Post.
2. Denlinger, Ken. (October 1, 1978). "Loud Sighs From Phillies Precede Popping of Corks". The Washington Post.
3. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/b/bellge02.shtml George Bell] at ''Baseball Reference''
4. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/a/andrefr01.shtml Fred Andrews] at ''Baseball Reference''
5. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/f/francju01.shtml Julio Franco] at ''Baseball Reference''
6. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/brownbo04.shtml Bobby Brown] at ''Baseball Reference''
7. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/castica01.shtml Carmen Castillo] at ''Baseball-Reference''
8. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/l/larsoda01.shtml Dan Larson] at ''Baseball Reference''
9. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/p/pinaho01.shtml Horacio Piña] at ''Baseball Reference''
10. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/h/hearned02.shtml Ed Hearn] at ''Baseball Reference''
11. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/s/sandbry01.shtml Ryne Sandberg] at ''Baseball Reference''
12. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/l/leachri01.shtml Rick Leach] at ''Baseball Reference''
13. (25 April 2017). "Let's remember 39 years of celebrations and shenanigans with the Phillie Phanatic". Cut4.
14. (2 November 2018). "Meet the mascot guru who went from being the original Phillie Phanatic to helping create Gritty". Philadelphia Inquirer.
15. (April 12, 1978). "Expos get Carlton out of way as game in Philly postponed". The Gazette.
16. (April 17, 1978). "Error call thrills Forsch, amazes Phillies". The Miami News.
17. (April 21, 1978). "Forsch's tainted no-hitter casts doubt on how baseball's scoring rule applied". The Gazette.
18. (April 19, 1978). "Tanner's Gambling Luck All Bad". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
19. (April 22, 1978). "Majors At A Glance". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
20. (May 9, 1978). "Majors At A Glance". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
21. (May 24, 1978). "Majors At A Glance". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
22. (June 22, 1978). "Majors At A Glance". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
23. (July 4, 1978). "Majors At A Glance". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
24. (August 7, 1978). "Bucs Dead, Funeral Date Pending". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
25. (September 22, 1978). "Expos-Phils rained on". The Gazette.
26. (September 23, 1978). "Pennant Race". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
27. (September 23, 1978). "Majors At A Glance". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
28. (May 18, 1978). "Philadelphia Phillies 8, Houston Astros 5".
29. (May 18, 1978). "May 18, 1978, Phillies at Astros Box Score and Play by Play". sports-reference.com.
30. "1978 Philadelphia Phillies Schedule, Box Scores and Splits". Baseball-Reference.com.
31. Johnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, ed., ''The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball'', 2nd and 3rd editions. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 1997 and 2007