Seth Johnson’s major league debut on Sunday was historic for all the wrong reasons. The 25-year-old right-hander was shelled for nine runs on eight hits and three walks in just 2 1/3 innings, joining Hanson Horsey (April 27, 1912) as the only pitchers in AL/NL history to allow nine or more earned runs and three or more walks without a strikeout in their debut.
The fifth spot in the Phillies' rotation remains a glaring issue, but it’s a problem likely limited to the regular season—less a concern come October when the rotation tightens up for the postseason.
Where: Citizens Bank Park, Monday through Wednesday.
Pitching Matchups: RHP Cole Sulser (0-0, 4.35) vs. LHP Cristopher Sanchez (10-9, 3.45) on Monday at 6:40pm. RHP Taj Bradley (6-10, 4.40) vs. LHP Ranger Suarez (12-6, 2.90) on Tuesday at 6:40pm. RHP Shane Baz (2-3, 3.27) vs. Zack Wheeler (14-6, 2.59) on Wednesday at 6:40pm.
Series: The two teams have not met this season. Overall, the Rays lead the all-time series, 22-15.
Phillies Update (85-58): The Phillies enter play on Monday sitting in the No. 2 seed in the National League, a game behind the Dodgers for the top-seed and home-field advantage. Edmundo Sosa was placed on the IL prior to Sunday's contest with back spasms. He's expected to return before the regular season comes to a close on Sept. 29 in Washington. The club is banged up right now, with Austin Hays on the IL with a kidney infection, Alec Bohm dealing with a strained wrist, and catcher J.T. Realmuto sitting out Sunday's contest with a knee bruise.
MLB announced on Monday that Kyle Schwarber is the Phillies 2024 Roberto Clemente Award nominee. The Roberto Clemente Award is the annual recognition of a Major League player who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.
Rays Update (71-72): The Rays have played .500 ball on the road this season and come to Philadelphia having taken two-of-three from the Orioles over the weekend at Camden Yards. The 24.7% strikeout rate is the fifth worst in baseball and their .231 overall team batting average ranks as fourth worst. The club sits 11 games off the pace in the NL East and five games behind the Twins for the final Wild Card spot in the American League. Yandy Diaz has been their hottest player at the plate over the last two weeks, hitting .364 with a .501 wOBA.
Notable Injuries: Phillies -- RHP Spencer Turnbull (shoulder), OF Austin Hays (illness), and 3B Alec Bohm (wrist) are on the injured list.
Rays -- RP Colin Pache (shoulder), RP Peter Fairbanks (lat), OF Richie Palacios (knee), SP Shane McClanahan (elbow), and RP Jacob Waguespack (shoulder) are on the injured list.
What's Next: The Phillies have an off day on Thursday before they welcome the Mets to Citizens Bank Park for a three-game set starting on Friday.
