PHILADELPHIA— The Philadelphia Phillies were riding high after a huge series win over the New York Mets. The club enjoyed an off-day on Monday before heading to Houston, ready to compete against one of the best teams in Major League Baseball.
The Astros were ready for a battle and gave the Phillies their best. The starting pitching of Philadelphia matched their opponents’ intensity, allowing just three earned runs total. The team allowed just a total of five earned runs in the entire series, putting on an impressive display.
The offense, however, came up short. The Phillies scored just one run in three games against the Astros, getting swept on the first stop of a six-game road trip. They will need to find their spark against an Atlanta Braves team that is starting to heat back up.
Meeting up for the third time this season, the Phillies and Braves have split their first six games. In their first trip to Atlanta, the Phillies dropped two of three before winning two at Citizens Bank Park back in late May. The Phillies notably took the first game of a doubleheader and dropped the second, starting a long losing skid against the Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays, and Pittsburgh Pirates.
Bouncing back from their series with Houston and earning a series win against their division rivals would go a long way in the battle for the National League East.
Phillies-Braves Pitching Matchups
After facing three dominant starters in Houston, the Phillies aren’t getting let off the hook against the Braves.
Mick Abel 2-1, 3.47 ERA vs Bryce Elder 2-4, 4.77 ERA
On Friday night, rookie Mick Abel will toe the rubber against the Atlanta Braves for the first time in his young career. Abel has flashed some real potential in his five starts. However, against more dynamic offenses like the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets, the right-hander has struggled to keep the ball in the park.
The Braves will oppose Abel with Bryce Elder. Elder has made two career starts against the Phillies, accumulating 10.2 innings and a 3.38 earned run average. Elder has been solid for Atlanta since making his debut in 2022, but has not taken that next step as a major league arm.
Jesus Luzardo 7-3, 4.08 ERA vs Spencer Schwellenbach 6-4, 3.21 ERA
Do not let the 4.08 earned run average fool you, Jesus Luzardo has been great for the Phillies this season. Two bad starts have inflated his ERA, but after mechanical adjustments, Luzardo is back to dealing. In his first start against the Braves this season, he went 6.0 innings, striking out six and allowing one earned run in a no-decision. In the national spotlight once again, Luzardo will look to earn his eighth win of the year.
Spencer Schwellenbach will toe the rubber for the Braves in Saturday’s ballgame. Schwellenbach is building upon an impressive rookie season in 2024, and the 25-year-old has become an anchor in the Atlanta rotation. With Chris Sale on the 15-day Injured List, Schwellenbach will be asked to step up as the team’s ace.
Ranger Suarez 6-2, 2.08 ERA vs Spencer Strider 3-5, 4.07 ERA
After dazzling in a losing effort Tuesday night, Ranger Suarez will take the mound Sunday once again for the Phillies. Replicating his success from his start in Houston might be a tall task, but Suarez has given the Phillies a chance to win in nearly every start this season. In a series finale against a division foe, the Phillies would gladly sign up for another classic outing.
Spencer Strider is set to finish this series for the Braves. Still working his way back from post-Tommy John Surgery, Strider is still finding himself on the mound. In his last four starts, he has pitched to a 3-1 record with a 2.74 earned run average. The more reps Strider gets, the stronger his arm will be. Historically, he has performed well against the Phillies, but Philadelphia usually finds a way to win the game. The Phillies will need to continue that mantra Sunday afternoon.
Watson’s Watchlist
With the offense cold, the Phillies need their bats to wake up. They are set to face three right-handed pitchers, meaning both Max Kepler and Bryson Stott should start each game. These are two players I am watching in this upcoming matchup.
Max Kepler
Kepler’s hot and cold streaks have been very similar to the team’s offense this season. Kepler was starting to find his swing in the club’s last extended homestand, but it did not follow him when the team returned for a short stint against the Mets. Kepler sat out the first two games of the Astros series due to the left-handed pitching Houston threw at the Phils.
Kepler was signed to be the team’s everyday left fielder this past offseason. He has been relegated to a platoon role with Otto Kemp, who is not a traditional outfielder to begin with. The veteran has to start putting together more consistent production at the plate, or his playing time may continue to suffer.
Bryson Stott
Similar to Max Kepler, the Phillies need to see more from Bryson Stott. The second baseman is a proven commodity on defense, but has plateaued at the plate.
Stott dealt with lingering wrist issues in 2024 that earned him the benefit of the doubt for 2025. However, his numbers are right on track with last season, making it seem like Stott has maxed out his capabilities with the bat. Like Kepler, Stott has lost playing time against lefties, with Edmundo Sosa getting the bulk of starts. Sosa has done well, making it harder for the young infielder to separate himself.
If Stott can get his batting average back up in the .265 range with an OPS in the low 700s, he will be too important to remove from a lineup. Until then, expect Stott to continue to platoon with Sosa. He will get a chance to earn more playing time this weekend against the Braves.
Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
