It’s late June, and the Phillies are headed to Atlanta. But don’t let the standings or the calendar fool you — this doesn’t feel like a midseason checkpoint. It feels like a measuring stick.
Both clubs have been spinning their wheels since they last met back in May. The Braves are 11-14 since then. The Phillies? Also 11-14. Two teams with postseason plans, playing like they’re still stuck in April.
The Phillies aren’t alone in their slump. They’re just not hitting their way out of it.
Over their last 25 games, the Phillies have posted a .685 OPS — 23rd in baseball over that stretch. The Braves? Even lower. It’s rare to see both of these offenses this quiet at the same time, but here we are: two lineups with plenty of star power, and not a whole lot to show for it lately.
What’s kept the Phillies afloat? Brandon Marsh is quietly having one of the best stretches of his career (139 wRC+) hitting .386. and the starting pitching has been fantastic, but the consistency up and down the lineup just hasn't been there.
The matchups to watch
Friday: Rookie Mick Abel takes the mound against Bryce Elder. Abel’s command has been a work in progress, but the stuff is real. Elder has had mixed results this year, including a pair of rocky outings recently. Could be a game that gets decided early.
Saturday: Jesús Luzardo gets the start against Spencer Schwellenbach. a promising Braves righty who held Philadelphia to just one run back in April.
Sunday: Spencer Strider vs. Ranger Suárez. This one might be worth circling. Suárez hasn’t allowed more than two runs in a start since April 15 — a stretch of dominance that includes six shutout innings against the Braves last month. He’s been one of baseball’s best starters, and he doesn’t shy from big moments.
Why it matters
It’s just three games in late June, but there’s something about these two teams sharing a field that always feels heavier. The Braves have been the division’s standard for years. The Phillies want to show they’re ready to change that.
They won’t face Zack Wheeler, and that’s a win for Atlanta. But they will face Ranger Suárez — and these days, that’s almost just as tough.
Take two of three, and the Phillies head home with momentum. Drop two, and the questions around this offense — and this roster’s ceiling — will get a little louder.
Friday: Rookie Mick Abel takes the mound against Bryce Elder. Abel’s command has been a work in progress, but the stuff is real. Elder has had mixed results this year, including a pair of rocky outings recently. Could be a game that gets decided early.
Saturday: Jesús Luzardo gets the start against Spencer Schwellenbach. a promising Braves righty who held Philadelphia to just one run back in April.
Sunday: Spencer Strider vs. Ranger Suárez. This one might be worth circling. Suárez hasn’t allowed more than two runs in a start since April 15 — a stretch of dominance that includes six shutout innings against the Braves last month. He’s been one of baseball’s best starters, and he doesn’t shy from big moments.
Why it matters
It’s just three games in late June, but there’s something about these two teams sharing a field that always feels heavier. The Braves have been the division’s standard for years. The Phillies want to show they’re ready to change that.
They won’t face Zack Wheeler, and that’s a win for Atlanta. But they will face Ranger Suárez — and these days, that’s almost just as tough.
Take two of three, and the Phillies head home with momentum. Drop two, and the questions around this offense — and this roster’s ceiling — will get a little louder.
Quotable
“We just got to get back to basics. Get good pitches to hit, stay in the zone,” skipper Rob Thomson said.
