Every former Phillies player who could ruin Philly's World Series plans this October

The best time of the baseball calendar is upon us. Red October is here as the Philadelphia Phillies prepare for their fourth consecutive postseason run. Since appearing in the World Series in 2022, the Phillies have been knocked out of the MLB playoffs earlier each year, culminating in their embarrassing exit in last year's NLDS against the New York Mets.

Repeating as NL East champions, the 96-66 Phillies look like one of the top teams to beat in the postseason. Then again, there are no easy outs — every team left playing this time of year is good.

As the Phillies look ahead to the NLDS, which starts on Saturday, there's a formidable gauntlet ahead of them as they map their path back to the World Series. While they have designs on getting to and finally winning the Fall Classic this postseason, so does everyone else, including former Phillies players on the other playoff teams.

Which former Phillies players are standing in the way of winning the World Series?

The Phillies could run up against some familiar faces on their run, so let's survey the playoff landscape and see who they might come across this October.

Rhys Hoskins, 1B, Milwaukee Brewers

Starting with the No. 1 seed Milwaukee Brewers, we have former fan favorite Rhys Hoskins. The first baseman, who spent the first six years of his MLB career in Philadelphia, just finished his second season with the Brew Crew, and it didn't go well. Hoskins hit .237 with a .748 OPS and 12 home runs in 90 games around a two-month stint on the IL.

Jeff Hoffman, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays

After two stellar years in Philadelphia, reliever Jeff Hoffman signed a three-year deal last offseason to become the Toronto Blue Jays' closer. He helped them lock up the No. 1 seed in the American League, despite some ninth-inning struggles. Hoffman went 9-7 with a 4.37 ERA and 84 strikeouts in 68 innings. He recorded 33 saves, blew seven and gave up 15 home runs.

Seranthony Domínguez, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays

After the Phillies traded Seranthony Domínguez to the Orioles in 2024, he wound up with the Blue Jays at this year's deadline. He has a 3.16 ERA in 62 2/3 innings this year, with a 3.00 ERA in 21 innings in Toronto. While the right-hander struck out batters at a 30.3 percent clip, he also posted the highest walk rate of his career at 13.8 percent.

Nick Pivetta, RHP, San Diego Padres

With the Phillies from 2017 into the 2020 season, Nick Pivetta just put together a career year for the San Diego Padres. The right-handed starter went 13-5 with a 2.87 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in his first season with the Friars. He faced the Phillies twice this season, dominating both times and allowing two runs with 14 strikeouts over 12 2/3 innings.

Austin Hays, OF, Cincinnati Reds

Last summer's trade deadline addition Austin Hays had a great year for the Cincinnati Reds but still had trouble staying off the injured list. The outfielder hit .266 with a .768 OPS, 15 home runs and 64 RBIs in just 103 games for the No. 6 seed Reds. Although, his team might not be around long enough to impact the Phillies.

Mark Leiter Jr., RHP, New York Yankees

Reliever Mark Leiter Jr., who started his career with the Phillies in 2017, finds himself in the playoffs for the second straight year with the New York Yankees. The 34-year-old right-hander finished the regular season with a 4.84 ERA in 48 1/3 innings for the Bronx Bombers.

Matt Vierling, OF, Detroit Tigers

After spending parts of 2021 and 2022 with the Phillies, outfielder Matt Vierling has spent the last three seasons with the Detroit Tigers. He landed on the injured list on Aug. 10 with a strained oblique, so it's uncertain whether he'll be able to return if the Tigers advance in the postseason.

J.P. Crawford, SS, Seattle Mariners

Former Phillies first-rounder J.P. Crawford just finished his seventh season with the Seattle Mariners and is getting set to play in his second postseason. The 30-year-old shortstop hit .265 with a .722 OPS, with 12 homers, 58 RBIs and 69 runs scored in 157 games this year for the No. 2 seed in the AL.

Kolby Allard, LHP, Cleveland Guardians

Right-hander Kolby Allard likes it in Cleveland, apparently. After struggling to a 5.00 ERA in his brief stint in Philadelphia last season, the former first-round pick had a great year for the Guardians, posting a 2.63 ERA in 65 innings. He didn't strike out many hitters with 42 punch outs, but only walked 14, three of which were intentional.

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