Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels (47-49) come to town to take on the Philadelphia Phillies (55-41) for the first series of the second half this weekend. Game one of this three-game interleague series begins Friday at 6:45 p.m. As the Phillies scout the Angels for potential deadline acquisitions, they aim to come out of the All-Star break strong against the visitors, who are three games under .500 on the road. Philadelphia, meanwhile, is 30-16 at home.
Game 1: Jesus Luzardo (8-5, 4.14 ERA) vs. Jose Soriano (6-7, 3.90 ERA)
The Phillies are continuing their rotation out of the break on the path they went in, giving their heaviest lifters (Zack Wheeler and Christopher Sanchez) extra rest. Luzardo is coming off arguably his best start of the year in San Francisco, in which he pitched seven innings, walking one, striking out seven, and surrendering just three hits in a shutout effort. Though his 2.68 FIP and 3.47 xERA reflect an entirely dominant season, reality has been more stark for the Peruvian lefty. He’s had several awful starts. In his latest dud, July 4 against Cincinnati, he allowed six runs in just two innings.
Luzardo will be opposed by hard-throwing righty Jose Soriano for the Angels. This year, he leads the majors in HR/9; he’s given up just four bombs all year in 113 IP. Though Soriano is not prone to the long ball, he does have minor issues with command. Neither his walk rate nor his strikeout stuff is overpowering. Since the calendar flipped to June, his ERA is 4.67.
Game 2: Taijuan Walker (3-5, 3.55 ERA) vs. TBD
After a miserable 2024, Walker has righted the ship somewhat in 2025. Though he’s been by no means dominant, Walker has provided stability to a rotation that has missed Aaron Nola. He is only averaging about 4.2 IP per start, but nevertheless keeping the Phillies in the games he has pitched, a statement you couldn’t make last season. Against a weaker Angels lineup, the Phillies hope Walker’s success will continue.
Game 3: Ranger Suarez (7-3, 2.15 ERA) vs. TBD
Considering his dominance in 2025, it’s amazing that Suarez is not in the midst of his best career season. It’s become obvious that when healthy, the 29-year-old Venezuelan is one of the best pitchers in baseball. Since May 22, his ERA is 1.36 while averaging 6.2 IP per start. He’ll attempt to keep that trend going in the final game of the series at 1:35 p.m. on Sunday.
Trade Deadline Scouting
Though the Angels are notorious for attempting to compete even when they are looking up from the cellar, they do have an extensive trade history with the Phillies, Carlos Estevez, Brandon Marsh, and Noah Syndergaard being some of the more recent deadline acquisitions. A sweep from the Phillies would all but seal their “seller” fate as the deadline approaches.
Thus, the Angels’ trip to Philadelphia will double as a chance to show off potential trade chips. Right-handed outfield power bats Jo Adell and Taylor Ward are both certainly on the Phillies’ radar. As the more adept defender with two and a half years of team control compared to Ward’s one and a half, the former will be a bigger prize for the Phillies.
Out of the bullpen, the name to watch is 37-year-old Kenley Jansen in his 16th major league season. His 3.38 ERA this year is solid, though his peripherals indicate some regression may be on the horizon. With Phillies president Dave Dombrowski’s history of trading for bona fide closers, Jansen seems like a good bet to enter the Phillies ‘pen come August 1.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
