PHILADELPHIA— The last time the Philadelphia Phillies won an away game against the Texas Rangers was in 2014.
On March 31, 2014, the Phillies opened their season on the road against the Rangers. The team had missed the postseason in back-to-back years and were hoping they could salvage the closing chapters of the careers of Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, and Chase Utley. After an all-star appearance the year before, the organization was also hopeful that top prospect Domonic Brown would finally blossom into the star he was projected to be.
Cliff Lee started the game, allowing eight earned runs in five innings of work. The Phillies scratched out a 14-11 victory to start their season. From there, things got much worse, including two losses to end the series.
This weekend, the club has a chance to right some wrongs.
Pitching Preview
Cristopher Sanchez (10-3, 2.40 ERA) vs Merrill Kelly (9-6, 3.22 ERA)
Taking the mound Friday night will be a Cy Young contender in Cristopher Sanchez.
Sanchez has been brilliant for the Phillies this season and is coming off 8.0 scoreless innings in his last start against the Detroit Tigers. Sanchez is currently the third favorite in the National League to win the award behind Paul Skenes and Zack Wheeler.
He will be opposed by former Arizona Diamondback Merrill Kelly. Kelly was acquired by Texas at the Trade Deadline as the team looks to hunt down the final Wild Card spot in the American League. Kelly has been solid this season and in his first start with Texas, went 5.2 innings pitched with two earned runs and six strikeouts.
Jesus Luzardo (10-5, 4.32 ERA) vs Jacob deGrom (10-4, 2.80 ERA)
The highs and lows of the 2025 season continue for Jesus Luzardo. The left-hander has put together back-to-back quality outings for the Phillies in starts against the Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles. Facing a better team in the Rangers, Luzardo will have his work cut out for him.
For Texas, former NL Cy Young award winner Jacob deGrom will toe the rubber. DeGrom has bounced back nicely this season after dealing with injuries to start his Rangers’ career. He has, however, been roughed up in each of his last two starts, allowing five earned runs in each game.
Zack Wheeler (9-5, 2.64 ERA) vs Patrick Corbin (6-7, 3.91 ERA)
Originally set to go on Friday, Zack Wheeler had his start pushed back to Sunday after telling the medical staff he was dealing with shoulder stiffness. While tests came back clean, the Phillies ought to be careful when it comes to Wheeler.
The potential Cy Young award winner has been great in 2025, but since the Trade Deadline, Wheeler has a 4.58 ERA in 17.2 innings pitched. A clean start against the Rangers should quell any doubts about his health and put him back in the race with Skenes and Sanchez.
Another career resurgence for the Rangers belongs to Patrick Corbin. The former National was on his way out of baseball before being given another chance. Now, Corbin has returned to form and is having his best season since 2019.
Watson’s Watchlist
There are two players to watch this weekend for the Philadelphia Phillies.
A three-hit game against the Orioles on Wednesday helped salvage a poor homestand for Trea Turner. The Phillies’ shortstop has been in a bit of a rut lately, but could use the road trip as a way to reset himself. When the Phillies last played in Texas, Turner was debuting for the Phillies. He went 5/13 with a double and two triples in that opening series back in 2023.
While the Phillies’ offense has been clicking as a whole, they can certainly take it to another level if Turner heats up.
Max Kepler
With two right-handers on the mound for the Rangers on Friday and Saturday, there is good reason to expect Max Kepler to be in the Phillies’ lineup.
Kepler is a player to watch for many reasons. The first being that this is now the end of Rob Thomson‘s 6-day platoon trial run. Thomson made no promises after that period had ended, so we may or may not see Kepler in the starting lineup.
The other reason to watch Kepler is his bat. After a strong performance Tuesday against the O’s, if Kepler can build upon his outing, maybe he will continue to stay in Thomson’s plans. If not, top prospect Justin Crawford looms in Triple-A.
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
