So here’s your Phillies status check on May 6: four games over .500 … and staring at the soft underbelly of their schedule.
That’s right — welcome to May, the friendliest month on the Phillies’ calendar. Between now and June, they’ll face exactly two teams currently over .500: the Guardians and (believe it or not) the A’s. First stop on the tour? Tampa Bay, where they open a three-game series Tuesday night against the Rays.
Kyle Schwarber, meanwhile, is doing exactly what Kyle Schwarber does. He leads the Phillies in homers, OBP, slugging and OPS (min. 20 games) — which basically means he’s the guy keeping the lights on in the middle of the lineup. And here comes Trea Turner, heating up just in time: hitting .297 on the season and slashing a ridiculous .440/.481/.520 over his last 25 at-bats. When Trea’s doing that? The Phillies look a whole lot scarier.
But the real story? The rotation.
The Phillies’ starters have been everything you could want — and maybe a little more. They lead the majors in strikeouts, boast a 1.24 WHIP, and are holding hitters to a .243 batting average. Translation: this staff isn’t just eating innings; they’re mowing down lineups.
And this week in Tampa? It’s the full arsenal: Zack Wheeler on Tuesday, Cristopher Sánchez on Wednesday, and Jesús Luzardo on Thursday. That’s power, finesse, and wipeout stuff — back-to-back-to-back.
So buckle up. The Phillies have a chance to make May their runway. And if they do? This summer just got a whole lot more interesting.
Pitching Matchups
Game 1: Zack Wheeler (2-1, 3.48 ERA) vs. Drew Rasmussen (1-2, 5.08 ERA)
Game 2: Cristopher Sanchez (3-1, 3.45 ERA) vs. Shane Baz (3-1, 3.86 ERA)
Game 3: Jesus Luzardo (3-0, 1.94) vs. Ryan Pepiot (2-4, 4.23 ERA)
On the Farm
So here’s a name Phillies fans might want to start memorizing: Otto Kemp.
Game 2: Cristopher Sanchez (3-1, 3.45 ERA) vs. Shane Baz (3-1, 3.86 ERA)
Game 3: Jesus Luzardo (3-0, 1.94) vs. Ryan Pepiot (2-4, 4.23 ERA)
On the Farm
So here’s a name Phillies fans might want to start memorizing: Otto Kemp.
All he’s done since Opening Day in Lehigh Valley is hit, hit, and, oh yeah, hit some more. And on Monday, the International League took notice, naming Kemp its Player of the Month for April — not a bad way to introduce yourself to the upper levels of the minors.
Let’s run the numbers, because they’re eye-popping. Kemp batted .330 in April with the IronPigs — and the power? Oh, it’s been loud. He’s kept that going right into May, and here’s the full stat line: a .344 average, .433 on-base percentage, .703 slugging percentage, 14 doubles, 10 homers, and 35 RBIs in 150 plate appearances. That’s not just hot. That’s lava.
And here’s the kicker: Kemp is 25, undrafted, and came to the Phillies as a free agent signing in August 2022. Undrafted to Player of the Month in less than two years? That’s not your everyday prospect path.
Oh, and if you’re wondering about versatility, Kemp’s got that covered too. He’s been a fixture at third base, has dabbled at second and first, and — just to keep things interesting — has made two starts in left field this year.
So, no, he’s probably not going to take Bryce Harper’s job. But keep an eye on Otto Kemp. He’s doing everything possible to hit his way onto the Phillies’ radar — and maybe yours, too.
Thoughts
The Phillies have won three consecutive series since the Mets swept them at Citi Field last month, and two series wins were against potential postseason contenders. That series win streak should extend this week as the Rays are sitting two games below .500 with an average offense that lacks power. The pitching staff, however, has performed well with a staff ERA of 3.56 ERA - the eighth best in MLB. The Phillies should be in a position to take two from the Rays.
