So here they are. A quarter of the way through the season, the Phillies aren’t just winning—they’re stacking series like poker chips. Five in a row now. First time they’ve pulled that off since 2023.
No, it hasn’t always looked pretty. Some nights it’s been duct tape and late-inning magic. Other nights, it’s been a clinic. But here’s the bottom line: as Monday dawns, only four teams in baseball have a better record. Let that sink in.
And waiting for them? The hottest team in the sport.
The Cardinals are rolling into town on an eight-game heater after steamrolling the Nationals in D.C.—6-1, 4-2, and a 10-0 Sunday laugher. Willson Contreras is leading the May charge with a .375 average, 3 homers, and 11 RBIs in just 32 at-bats. But it’s not just the bats. St. Louis leads the National League in innings from their starters. Their bullpen hasn’t allowed an earned run since last Sunday. They’ve got the fourth-highest batting average in baseball, are tied for the league lead in doubles (82), and oh yeah—no team in the NL has saved more runs defensively (22).
So, the Phillies are hot. The Cardinals are hotter. Something has to give.
Pitching Matchups
Monday: LHP Cristopher Sanchez (4-, 2.89) vs. LHP Nick Liberatore (3-3, 3.07)
Tuesday: LHP Jesus Luzardo (3-0, 2.11) vs. RHP Sonny Gray (4-1, 3.50)
Wednesday: RHP Aaron Nola (1-6, 4.89) vs. RHP Erick Fedde (3-3, 3.86)
The Schwarber Impact
He’s no longer the guy who just launches moonshots and walks a ton. Kyle Schwarber has leveled up.
You want numbers? He’s got numbers. A .404 on-base percentage. Fourteen homers—same as Aaron Judge. Eighth in baseball in average bat speed. And for the first time in, well, maybe ever—he’s punishing lefties more than righties.
He was the leadoff guy who broke all the rules. Now he’s the cleanup guy breaking pitchers.
And then there’s the streak. Schwarber has reached base in 46 straight games, dating back to last season. Only three Phillies in the modern era have gone longer. The last one? Bobby Abreu, nearly a quarter-century ago.
He’s doing this in a contract year, too. And with each swing, each walk, each rocket off the bat, Kyle Schwarber is rewriting his own value
"It would be weird not to have him in our clubhouse," Bryce Harper recently told MLB.com. "He’s a guy that hits homers. He’s a great clubhouse guy and a leader. I hope he doesn’t get there. He’s a guy that we can use for the next few years."
You want numbers? He’s got numbers. A .404 on-base percentage. Fourteen homers—same as Aaron Judge. Eighth in baseball in average bat speed. And for the first time in, well, maybe ever—he’s punishing lefties more than righties.
He was the leadoff guy who broke all the rules. Now he’s the cleanup guy breaking pitchers.
And then there’s the streak. Schwarber has reached base in 46 straight games, dating back to last season. Only three Phillies in the modern era have gone longer. The last one? Bobby Abreu, nearly a quarter-century ago.
He’s doing this in a contract year, too. And with each swing, each walk, each rocket off the bat, Kyle Schwarber is rewriting his own value
Quarter Point
The 2025 Phillies have looked, at times, like a team with split personalities. Hot one week. Cold the next. A little streaky. A little stubborn. But really, isn’t that just who they’ve been all along? This core has made a habit of keeping fans guessing—and yet, here they are again, finding their rhythm. Lately, it feels like all the gears are finally turning together. The starting rotation has been lights-out. The offense? Maybe not explosive every night, but clutch when it counts.
So let’s call it what it is: eight games over .500 at the quarter pole. That’s not a surprise. That’s about exactly where you thought this team should be.
