The Phillies welcome Houston tonight to open a three-game set. It'll mark the first regular season meeting between the two clubs in Philadelphia since 2017. The Astros have a 4 1/2 game lead over the Mariners in the AL West.
Where: Citizens Bank Park, Monday through Wednesday.
Pitching Match-ups and Start Times: RHP
Zack Wheeler (12-6, 2.73) vs. RHP Ronel Blanco (9-6, 3.14) on Monday at 6:40 p.m. RHP Aaron Nola (11-6, 3.45) vs. RHP Justin Verlander (3-3, 3.92)
on Wednesday at 6:40 p.m. LHP Cristopher Sanchez (9-9, 3.51) vs. RHP Spencer Arrighetti (6-11, 4.94)
on Thursday at 4:05 p.m.
Series: This marks the first time the two clubs have met this season. The Phillies lead the all-time series, 296-282.
Phillies Update (76-54) - The past week started terribly for the Phillies, but the club was able to string together back-to-back wins in Kansas City to close out the road trip with a split. This will be a pivotal week for the club, and arguably the most important of the regular season. A solid performance against the Astros and the Braves could give the club the boost it needs to put the division out of reach. However, a stumble, especially later in the week, could allow the Braves to gain momentum and stretch the divisional race into the final stretch of the regular season. Trea Turner cooled off last week, hitting just .154.
The club announced several moves on Monday afternoon, placing Weston Wilson on the paternity list and recalling reliever Max Lazar to take his spot on the active roster. The club also optioned Kolby Allard to Lehigh Valley and recalled infielder Buddy Kennedy.
Kennedy, 25, is a Millville High School graduate.
Astros Update (70-60) - The Astros are tied with the third-most road wins in the American League (35). The club signed former Philadelphia reliever Hector Neris last Thursday after being released days earlier by the Cubs. Neris was a member of the World Series club that beat the Phillies in 2022, posting a 2.69 ERA over two regular seasons with Houston. The bullpen's 3.57 ERA is tied for the fourth best in baseball.
Notable Injuries: Phillies -- RHP Spencer Turnbull (shoulder), and RHP Dylan Covey
(shoulder) are on the injured list.
Astros -- RP Ryan Pressly (back), SP J.P. France (shoulder), OF Kyle Tucker (shin), SP Cristian Javier (elbow), SP Jose Urquidy (elbow), RP Kendall Graveman (shoulder), and SP Lance McCullers (forearm) are on
the injured list.
