So here we are. It’s early May, but Citizens Bank Park is about to stage a series that feels like it wandered straight off the set of October. Phillies. Diamondbacks. Two clubs with identical 17-14 records. Two clubs that practically invented October chaos. And if you lean in close enough, you can already hear the faint hum of the Wild Card race warming up in the background.
The Return of Ranger — and the Rotation Remix
Start here: Ranger Suárez. Remember him? The guy who made postseason lineups look like they were swinging at Wiffle balls with spaghetti noodles? He’s back. He’s healthy. And on Sunday, he’s set to make his long-awaited 2025 debut. After a spring spent rehabbing a cranky back, Suárez is ready to remind everyone why he was an All-Star last year — and maybe why the Phillies’ season hinges, in part, on his left arm.
But it’s not just Ranger. The Phillies roll out Jesús Luzardo in Game 1 — owner of a 1.73 ERA and a 3-0 record, dealing like a Vegas blackjack dealer. Then comes Aaron Nola, the rotation’s old soul who is slow reverting back to what we've expected. Stack all that together, and the Phils have the kind of weekend trio that can turn a three-game set into a statement.
Start here: Ranger Suárez. Remember him? The guy who made postseason lineups look like they were swinging at Wiffle balls with spaghetti noodles? He’s back. He’s healthy. And on Sunday, he’s set to make his long-awaited 2025 debut. After a spring spent rehabbing a cranky back, Suárez is ready to remind everyone why he was an All-Star last year — and maybe why the Phillies’ season hinges, in part, on his left arm.
But it’s not just Ranger. The Phillies roll out Jesús Luzardo in Game 1 — owner of a 1.73 ERA and a 3-0 record, dealing like a Vegas blackjack dealer. Then comes Aaron Nola, the rotation’s old soul who is slow reverting back to what we've expected. Stack all that together, and the Phils have the kind of weekend trio that can turn a three-game set into a statement.
Friday: LHP Jesus Luzardo (3-0, 1.73) vs. RHP Merril Kelly (3-1, 4.41)
Saturday: RHP Aaron Nola (0-5, 5.40) vs. RHP Brandon Pfaadt (5-1, 2.78)
Sunday: LHP Ranger Suarez (0-0, 0.00) vs. LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (1-3, 6.06)
Paper vs. Reality
Arizona’s offense has been stuck in a kind of weird, low-voltage gear.
The Diamondbacks couldn’t score more than four runs in any game and scratched out just 11 runs across three contests. Yes, they won the series. But let’s be honest — that was as much about the grit and guts of the Arizona pitchers as it was about the bats. And if you’re handing out game balls for timely hits, Geraldo Perdomo should probably get his own display case.
Here’s a snapshot of what’s gone wrong:
Over their last 10 games, the D-backs are hitting a collective .226.
Their on-base percentage in that stretch? A lean, mean .299.
With runners in scoring position against the Mets? 3-for-22 — that’s a .136 clip, folks.
And the stars? They’ve been mostly quiet. Corbin Carroll went 1-for-13 in New York. Pavin Smith has punched out four times in his last two games. The lineup that’s supposed to be one of the best in baseball just hasn’t been driving the bus.
Sure, the runs have come here and there. But the big hits? The crooked numbers? The breakout innings? Those have been missing in action.
The Diamondbacks couldn’t score more than four runs in any game and scratched out just 11 runs across three contests. Yes, they won the series. But let’s be honest — that was as much about the grit and guts of the Arizona pitchers as it was about the bats. And if you’re handing out game balls for timely hits, Geraldo Perdomo should probably get his own display case.
Here’s a snapshot of what’s gone wrong:
Over their last 10 games, the D-backs are hitting a collective .226.
Their on-base percentage in that stretch? A lean, mean .299.
With runners in scoring position against the Mets? 3-for-22 — that’s a .136 clip, folks.
And the stars? They’ve been mostly quiet. Corbin Carroll went 1-for-13 in New York. Pavin Smith has punched out four times in his last two games. The lineup that’s supposed to be one of the best in baseball just hasn’t been driving the bus.
Sure, the runs have come here and there. But the big hits? The crooked numbers? The breakout innings? Those have been missing in action.
Home Cooking, Momentum, and Wild Card Whispers
Yes, it’s May. But look closer. The Phillies just had their four-game win streak snapped, but they’ve been a force at home. The Diamondbacks roll in after taking a series in New York, shaking off a skid, and getting healthy when it counts.
And here’s the sneaky part: these games matter. A lot. Two teams locked in the same weight class. Two teams likely to be jousting for Wild Card real estate all summer. If you’re thinking tiebreakers and September math, you’re not crazy. This weekend? It’s an early litmus test. A measuring stick. And maybe — just maybe — a playoff preview.
Yes, it’s May. But look closer. The Phillies just had their four-game win streak snapped, but they’ve been a force at home. The Diamondbacks roll in after taking a series in New York, shaking off a skid, and getting healthy when it counts.
And here’s the sneaky part: these games matter. A lot. Two teams locked in the same weight class. Two teams likely to be jousting for Wild Card real estate all summer. If you’re thinking tiebreakers and September math, you’re not crazy. This weekend? It’s an early litmus test. A measuring stick. And maybe — just maybe — a playoff preview.
