Philadelphia has felt like peak summer this past week, so it’s natural the team from San Diego would come to town right as the sun hides behind the clouds and rain. Monday night, the Phillies begin a three-game set vs. the Padres, another perennial playoff contender who sit in second place in the National League West and just one game out of a Wild Card spot. Both of these teams are strong, and have been in the mix of top teams in the league since they each signed one of the biggest during the blockbuster off-season leading into the 2019 campaign.
Phillies vs Padres preview
San Diego signed perenial All-Star third baseman, Manny Machado. As you know, Philly inked outfielder (at the time) Bryce Harper. The hysteria that followed those two starts around that winter and spring was only the beginning.Both clubs signings started a frenzy inside both fans bases, and the front offices followed suit with a flurry of transactions to surround their young superstars with top tier talent to take advantage of each player’s prime years.
Philly has only lost one of their last eight regular season series against San Diego, and defeated them in the 2022 National League Championship Series. Both teams are in need of a series win to feel they have truly gotten right after a rough stretch earlier in June. Each added a name to the roster tonight to bolster their ranks.
Tonight’s starting pitcher for San Diego, knuckle-baller Matt Waldron, returned from the injured list (left oblique strain) to make his season debut. Philadelphia activated their top guy, former MVP Bryce Harper, from the injured list and he is in the lineup tonight. Getting his bat and power back in the lineup is huge for a team that has struggled to slug as of late. One thing to note, prior to the game he spoke with media and implied that he isn’t necessarily healed – his progress had plateaued and he felt since he wasn’t progressing, it was time to come back.
The forecast calls for rain every day, there are fireworks scheduled for after the first two games, and Philly hopes the return of their star brings even more excitement for the fans. Let’s dive into the pitching match-ups, and some players to watch during the set.
Game 1: RHP Matt Waldron (1st start) vs. RHP Zack Wheeler (7-3, 2.45 ERA)
As mentioned, Waldron is making his season debut today after spending the entire year on the IL. Last June 19 at Citizens bank Park, he held the Phillies to one run over seven innings to lead the Padres to victory, with the returning Harper striking a home run for the team’s only run. That was part of an incredible 14 games stretch for Waldron, where he pitched to a 2.76 ERA. The ret Ultimately, his results were varied, as he finished the year with 4.91 ERA in 27 starts last season. Philly hopes he doesn’t hold the same form he had just over a year ago.
Wheeler has had a great time when he takes the mound against the Padres, especially since signing with the Phillies. The ace of Philadelphia’s dominant staff has made four regular season starts since 2021 – three of which were scoreless. Over that stretch, he has a 0.98 ERA against the team from out west. On top of that, he only allowed two runs across 13 innings in his two starts versus the Padres during that 2022 NLCS.
Game 2: RHP Nick Pivetta (8-2, 3.36 ERA) vs. LHP Cristopher Sánchez (6-2, 2.79 ERA)
Pivetta returns to Citizens bank Park for the first time wearing a non-Philadelphia uniform, and is in the midst of his best season in the majors. After starting his year pitching in Philadelphia for three-and-a-half seasons, he was traded to the Boston Red Sox. His two appearances against Philly were poor – going four innings and allowing four home runs in each game. Harper, Nick Castellanos, Max Kepler, and J.T. Realmuto are all hitting over .300 against the former Phillie, and Harper and Trea Turner each have two homers off the right hander.
Sánchez is similarly having an incredible season. While it’s a small sample size, he’s also handled the Padres well. Their offense has a combined .209/.227/.372 slash line with two long balls over 44 total plate appearances. One homer came off the at of Fernando Tatis, Jr., and out of all the sluggers they have in their lineup, it’s Jose Iglesias with the other. In his breakout campaign last season, he dominated the Padres, allowing one run across seven strong innings.
Game 3: RHP Dylan Cease (3-7, 4.53 ERA) vs. RHP Mick Abel (2-1, 3.47 ERA)
Cease seems to going through an Aaron Nola-esque pattern of struggling by his own standards after a very strong season. He still has strong strikeout numbers, but his hits per nine innings mark has gone up by two. His only start vs. Philadelphia was a five run clobbering last season. Two of Kyle Schwarber‘s three hits against the right-hander have been home runs, and Max Kepler owned him during their time facing each other in the American league Central. Three of Kepler’s six hits have also left the yard. Philadelphia seems to have his number, and they’ll look to continue that trend Wednesday.
After a hot start to his career, Abel has seen mixed results over his last three starts. The rookie surrendered three runs over four innings against the Cubs, and allowed four runs over three frames versus the Mets. One thing that may be in Mick’s favor? San Diego is ranked No. 20 in the league in slugging percentage against right-handed pitching with a .711. Still, another strong offensive team means another challenge for Abel who is navigating the ups and downs of the major league season.
Philadelphia looks primed to take the series on paper, but San Diego wants to continue to make noise and solidify their place in the Wild Card race. It won’t be easy, but with the return of Bryce Harper – Philly should get it done. At the very least, the fans in the stands will have a bit more energy knowing the show-man is back.
Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
