The Philadelphia Phillies 2012 season was the 130th season in the history of the franchise. The Phillies attempted to win the division title for the 6th year in a row. However, they finished 3rd place in the NL East with a record of 81–81 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2006.
Offseason
The offseason for the Phillies began on October 7, following their devastating loss in the NLDS to the St. Louis Cardinals. Ryan Howard tore his Achilles tendon, that he would miss the first 3 months of the 2012 season. On November 5, the Phillies signed long-time veteran slugger Jim Thome to a 1-year deal, worth $1.25 million. Additionally, after numerous rumors, on November 14 the Phillies signed RHP Jonathan Papelbon to a 4-year deal, worth $50 million. The Phillies also added pitcher Dontrelle Willis from the Cincinnati Reds, on a 1-year deal, worth 1 million dollars, but released him toward the end of spring training. Laynce Nix was signed as a free agent and Ty Wigginton was acquired through a trade with the Colorado Rockies to shore up the bench. Several other veteran players including Dave Bush, Joel Piñeiro, Scott Elarton, Lou Montanez, and Scott Podsednik were signed to minor league deals with invitations to spring training.
Regular season
April
Opening Day
The Phillies opened the season in Pittsburgh in a 3-game series with the Pirates. The Phillies begin the season without first baseman Ryan Howard who tore his Achilles tendon in last year's NLDS. Opening Day went as the Phillies drew it up, Roy Halladay threw 8 scoreless innings, and offseason acquisition Jonathan Papelbon retired all 3 batters he faced for a 1–0 Phillies victory. These were the starters on Opening Day for the Phillies:
The Phillies would end up losing the series to Pittsburgh. The Phillies home opener was a disaster, losing to the newly revived Miami Marlins, 6-2. Halladay would end the three game skid, with another solid performance on the mound, as the Phillies won 7–1. The Phillies would end up winning the series the next day, with a 3–1 victory. The Phillies would then go on to trade two wins and losses for the next 8 games. In mid-April, the Phillies began their first major road trip of the season. They began the trip by taking 1 of 3 from the Giants. It was in the second game of the series, when Cliff Lee threw 10 scoreless innings, and ultimately not only did the Phillies lose the game in 11 innings, but Cliff Lee was placed on the 15-day DL with a left external oblique strain. After splitting a 4-game series with San Diego, the Phillies finally won a series against the Diamondbacks, taking 2 of 3. The Phillies finally returned home for a four-game series with the Cubs, where they would split the series. Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels each finished April with 3 wins, and Papelbon was a perfect 8 for 8 on save opportunities. The Phillies finished April with a record of 11–12, their first losing-record month since going 11–15 in June 2009. However, the Phillies have experienced struggle in April before, most notably in 2008, when they would eventually win the World Series, and in 2009, when they would eventually win the National League pennant.
May
The Phillies began May by taking two of three from the division-leading Braves. The only loss came in an 11-inning game, won by a walk-off home run by Chipper Jones.