The Phillies are back home for a quick four-game stop before the All-Star break, and they’re carrying real momentum into it. They’ve won seven of their last nine and have trimmed the gap to first-place Atlanta to three games, which puts them as close to the top as they’ve been since mid April.
This stretch also comes with a brutal-looking finish. Philadelphia has 16 of its final 20 games before the break on the road, so these home dates matter. The Phillies are 47-37 overall and have gone 38-18 since Don Mattingly took over for Rob Thomson on April 28, when the club was sitting at 9-19.
On Monday, the Phillies send right-hander Aaron Nola to the mound against the Pirates and Braxton Ashcraft. Nola is 3-4 with a 5.58 ERA, while Ashcraft enters at 7-3 with a 3.07 ERA. First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m., with the game televised on NBC Sports Philly.
And then there’s Kyle Schwarber, who has turned the long ball into the defining story of the Phillies’ season so far. He leads the majors with 30 home runs, and he got there in a hurry.
Schwarber became the fastest Phillies player to reach 30 homers in a season when he went deep against the Mets on June 28 in his 84th game. The previous mark belonged to Mike Schmidt, who hit his 30th in his 87th game in 1979.
Here’s how the Phillies line up behind Nola:
Trea Turner, SS
Kyle Schwarber, DH
Bryce Harper, 1B
Brandon Marsh, LF
Alec Bohm, 3B
Bryson Stott, 2B
J.T. Realmuto, C
Gabriel Rincones, RF
Justin Crawford, CF
The Pirates had not announced their lineup at the time of the Phillies’ release.
In Other News...
Phillies Fans Just Got A Bryce Harper All-Star Gut Punch
The first round of All-Star voting brought plenty of good news for the Phillies, with Brandon Marsh piling up more than two million votes and landing second among National League outfielders. Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm also finished second at their positions, keeping their chances alive to start the All-Star Game and giving Philadelphia a real presence in the early returns.
Bryce Harper was the notable exception, even if he still appears headed for the roster when selections are finalized. For a team hoping to make this summer showcase feel like a home-field celebration in Philadelphia, Harper falling short of the next round leaves a little sting, especially with so many of his teammates still in the mix. [Read more 🡒]
Orioles Could Flip A Major Offseason Addition If July Unravels
The Orioles are still hanging around the postseason picture, but July could end up deciding whether they stay in the race or start listening to offers. One player to watch is Taylor Ward, whose arrival has been a meaningful addition for Baltimore and whose profile fits the kind of move contenders circle once a front office decides it needs to protect some value.
MLB.coms Thomas Harrigan notes that Ward could be on the move if Baltimore cannot build momentum this month, a possibility tied to the reality of a looming free-agent departure. For a Phillies club that always keeps an eye on available outfield help, this is the sort of name that could surface quickly if the Orioles slip and shift from buyer to seller. [Read more 🡒]
Phillies Could Make A Deadline Swing That Ends The Bohm Debate
The Phillies have been searching for a steadier answer at third base, and the conversation around Alec Bohm has only sharpened as the deadline draws closer. Bohm has been through a slow start this season before showing signs of life more recently, but the position remains one of the clearest places Philadelphia could look to upgrade if it wants a more dependable bat and glove for the stretch run.
Jon Heymans latest note suggests the front office could explore a bigger swing if the right opportunity presents itself, with the market shaped by both performance and price. Philadelphia also has to weigh its internal options, including Aidan Miller, though his back injury has kept him sidelined all year, which leaves the club with a familiar deadline question: stand pat and hope Bohm keeps trending up, or try to settle the spot before October becomes the focus. [Read more 🡒]