The Phillies will look to extend their five-game winning streak on Friday as they open a three-game series with the Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park. The five-game winning streak matches the longest this year for the club.
The Phillies relied on solid starting pitching in their sweep of the Tigers. Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, and Taijuan Walker combined to toss 21 1/3 innings while not allowing an earned run. The trio also combined for 28 strikeouts.
The Dodgers come to Philadelphia having dropped four of their last five games but with the third-best record in the National League (36-27). The club avoided a sweep in Cincinnati with a 6-0 victory on Thursday.
Lefty Victor Gonzalez will act as an opener for the Dodgers, likely tossing an inning before manager Dave Roberts gives the ball to righty Michael Grove for a bulk relief appearance.
The Phillies counter with lefty Ranger Suarez, who was outstanding in his previous appearance, tossing seven frames while surrendering one run in an 11-3 victory over Washington.
Honoring a Legend
The Phillies will honor Dick Allen with a pregame ceremony with guests including his family and several former teammates, including Larry Bowa. The Phillies also celebrated the late Allen earlier in the day, with former players and team officials joining the City of Philadelphia for a field dedication at the Phillies MLB Youth Academy in Fairmount Park.
Allen spent nine seasons in Philadelphia and hit .290 with 204 homers while posting a .530 slugging percentage, the second-best mark in franchise history. He joined the front office in 1994 and held several roles with the club before his death on October 1, 2022.
Roster News
The Phillies on Friday recalled left-handed pitcher José Alvarado from his rehab assignment with double-A Reading and reinstated him from the 15-day injured list. The 28-year-old missed the last month with left elbow inflammation.
Alvarado was one of the best relievers in baseball over the first month of the season, posting a 0.63 ERA and a 0.63 WHIP to go along with 24 strikeouts over 14 appearances.
To make room for Alvarado on the 26-man roster, the club optioned right-handed pitcher Connor Brogdon to triple-A Lehigh Valley. The 28-year-old has a 4.03 ERA over 27 appearances but has struggled against lefties, allowing a .333 batting average against and a 1.071 OPS.
"We see this as a reset," said manager Rob Thomson. "By sending him out, we're going to get him reintroduced to some bulk, two innings, maybe two innings plus, and get him on a structured schedule."
Thomson also said Alec Bohm needs another day or two before being activated from the 10-day IL, so he won't come off the IL on Saturday as originally planned.
