So here come the Nationals. Back to South Philly. Back to the scene of all those odd bounces and frustrating funks. But maybe, just maybe, the Phillies brought a little wind back with them from Wrigley.
Because after taking two of three from a Cubs team that’s looked October-ready since Tax Day, the Phillies have a chance this week to do something they haven’t done much of lately — stack wins.
And look who’s getting the ball Tuesday night: Zack Wheeler, who’s quietly been reminding people why he's still an ace in a town that’s had its share. But waiting for him across the diamond? That would be MacKenzie Gore — yes, that MacKenzie Gore — the same left-hander who flustered the Phils back in March with a whole lot of swing-and-miss and not much hard contact.
Gore's line on Opening Day vs. the Phillies: 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 13 K.
So if you're the Phillies? This isn’t just a series against a middling division rival. It’s a test. A tone-setter. A stretch that could either turn the page — or keep the same book open to frustration.
Now here’s where things get weird (and very Nationals): their rotation has quietly been one of baseball’s best — ninth-best ERA in the majors at 3.68. But the bullpen? Yikes. Dead last in ERA by almost two full runs. (That's not a typo.)
Their bullpen ERA sits at 7.30, which isn’t a number, it’s a smoke alarm. And coming in just behind them? The Phillies, with a 5.28 ERA and enough late-inning drama to fuel a Netflix series.
Oh, and while we’re talking surprises: James Wood is 22, built like an edge rusher, and already has nine homers — same number he had all of last year in nearly 80 games. He’s slugging .560 and hitting lasers like he’s got a cheat code.
Taking two of three at Wrigley Field — against a really good Cubs team — wasn’t just a series win. It was a statement. This was a club that had dropped four straight, had forgotten how to hit with runners in scoring position, and was somehow doing an impression of a team allergic to scoring runs. And then they flipped the script. In Wrigley. Go figure.
But let’s not plan the parade just yet.
In their last seven games, the Phillies have scored all of 17 runs — sixth-fewest in baseball during that stretch. Their slugging percentage? A robust .303, also sixth-worst in the sport. And if you’ve been watching this core for the past few seasons, you already know what’s coming next: consistency just isn’t their thing.
One step forward? Maybe. But we’ve seen this movie before — and we know how easily it can turn into a rerun.
So if you're the Phillies? This isn’t just a series against a middling division rival. It’s a test. A tone-setter. A stretch that could either turn the page — or keep the same book open to frustration.
Pitching Matchups
Tuesday at 6:45pm | Zack Wheeler (2-1, 3.62) vs. LHP MacKenzie Gore (2-3, 3.34)
Wednesday at 6:45pm | TBD vs. RHP Jake Irvin (2-0, 3.19)
Thursday at 6:45pm | TBD vs. RHP Brad Lord (0-3, 4.67)
About the Nationals
So the Nationals roll into town after a seven-game homestand that was, dare we say, impressive — four wins against the Orioles and Mets, two teams that were supposed to still be playing when Halloween decorations go up. Now here’s where things get weird (and very Nationals): their rotation has quietly been one of baseball’s best — ninth-best ERA in the majors at 3.68. But the bullpen? Yikes. Dead last in ERA by almost two full runs. (That's not a typo.)
Their bullpen ERA sits at 7.30, which isn’t a number, it’s a smoke alarm. And coming in just behind them? The Phillies, with a 5.28 ERA and enough late-inning drama to fuel a Netflix series.
Oh, and while we’re talking surprises: James Wood is 22, built like an edge rusher, and already has nine homers — same number he had all of last year in nearly 80 games. He’s slugging .560 and hitting lasers like he’s got a cheat code.
Phillies Storylines to Watch
So here’s your latest Ranger Suárez dispatch — and of course, in true Phillies fashion, it comes wrapped in mystery and the scent of possibilities.Suárez struck out eight hitters Sunday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He threw 78 pitches, 53 for strikes, and looked like a guy just about ready to rejoin the rotation. But here’s the catch: the Phillies want to get him to 90 pitches before they slot him back in. So that means one more rehab start? Possibly. But there’s also a Cristopher Sánchez wrinkle here.
Sánchez left his last start with forearm tightness — never the phrase you want to hear — but insisted afterward there was no discomfort and was scheduled to throw a bullpen ahead of Sunday’s finale in Chicago. If he checks out, the Phillies may stay the course with Suárez's progression. But if there’s any setback? Don’t rule out an accelerated return.
Nothing is official yet, but Taijuan Walker, Jesús Luzardo, and Aaron Nola are all in line to pitch Wednesday through Friday on regular rest. That would leave Saturday open — and possibly waiting for either Sánchez or Suárez.
Sánchez left his last start with forearm tightness — never the phrase you want to hear — but insisted afterward there was no discomfort and was scheduled to throw a bullpen ahead of Sunday’s finale in Chicago. If he checks out, the Phillies may stay the course with Suárez's progression. But if there’s any setback? Don’t rule out an accelerated return.
Nothing is official yet, but Taijuan Walker, Jesús Luzardo, and Aaron Nola are all in line to pitch Wednesday through Friday on regular rest. That would leave Saturday open — and possibly waiting for either Sánchez or Suárez.
Final Thoughts
So the Phillies had a day off Monday. And yes, they probably needed it. But you know what else it did? It hit the pause button at the worst possible time for a team that might have just found a spark. Taking two of three at Wrigley Field — against a really good Cubs team — wasn’t just a series win. It was a statement. This was a club that had dropped four straight, had forgotten how to hit with runners in scoring position, and was somehow doing an impression of a team allergic to scoring runs. And then they flipped the script. In Wrigley. Go figure.
But let’s not plan the parade just yet.
In their last seven games, the Phillies have scored all of 17 runs — sixth-fewest in baseball during that stretch. Their slugging percentage? A robust .303, also sixth-worst in the sport. And if you’ve been watching this core for the past few seasons, you already know what’s coming next: consistency just isn’t their thing.
One step forward? Maybe. But we’ve seen this movie before — and we know how easily it can turn into a rerun.
