The Phillies had the day off Thursday, but it still turned out to be a pretty great day in the National League East.
They were flying east, fresh off a 13-0 steamrolling of the Giants in San Francisco on Wednesday — a game that may have doubled as Bryce Harper’s personal reawakening party. He didn’t just homer off Justin Verlander for the first time in his career. He added three doubles for good measure, reminding everyone just how dangerous he can be when he's right.
“I know when I’m going well,” Harper said afterward. “I’m one of the best in baseball. I’m healthy. I’m strong. I feel great.”
So did the Phillies, especially by the time they landed — and saw the out-of-town scoreboard. The Mets had just been swept in a doubleheader in Baltimore, giving Philadelphia a little bonus: a 1½-game cushion atop the NL East heading into the weekend.
San Diego is coming off a split of a four-game series with Arizona and is still looking for consistency as the season’s first half winds to a close.
This weekend marks the final stop before the All-Star break — and for Harper and the Phillies, it’s a chance to keep the momentum rolling into the second half.
Starting Pitchers
Friday: LHP Ranger Suarez (7-2, 1.99) vs. RHP Ryan Bergert (1-0, 2.67)
Saturday: RHP Zack Wheeler (9-3, 2.17) vs. RHP Yu Darvish (0-4, 4.91)
Sunday: LHP Cristopher Sanchez (7-2, 2.59) vs. RHP Nick Pivetta (9-2, 3.07)
Abel Update
A week after a rough outing in Philadelphia that ended before the second inning, Mick Abel looked like a different pitcher Thursday night in Syracuse. The Phillies’ top pitching prospect tossed six shutout innings for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, allowing just one hit and striking out four. It was the kind of crisp, controlled outing the club had hoped to see more of — and a welcome bounce-back after surrendering five earned runs in 1⅔ innings in his last appearance with the Phillies before being sent back down.
All Star Festivities
The road to 2026 starts at the foot of City Hall. On Friday, July 18, the Phillies will officially unveil Philadelphia’s 2026 All-Star Declaration with a fan-filled celebration at Dilworth Park — and they’re not holding back. The festivities, free and open to the public, will begin at noon and feature a who’s who of Phillies royalty and local legends.
Headlining the event? None other than The Roots — Philadelphia’s own Grammy-winning powerhouse — who will bookend the celebration with live performances that promise to bring Broad Street energy to the heart of Center City.
The lineup doesn’t stop there. The All-Star Walk will spotlight a parade of Phillies icons, including Larry Bowa, Dave Cash, Greg “The Bull” Luzinski, and Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt — a nod to the 1976 All-Star Game in Philadelphia, played during the nation’s bicentennial and forever etched into local baseball lore.
Fans can also expect appearances from former Home Run Derby champions Bobby Abreu and Ryan Howard, as well as franchise legends Cole Hamels, John Kruk, Charlie Manuel, and Juan Samuel.
Tom McCarthy and longtime PA voice Dan Baker will emcee the event, which will feature remarks from team and city officials — plus, of course, a cameo by the Phillie Phanatic.
Call it a declaration. Call it a kickoff. Either way, it’s a star-studded reminder that the All-Star Game is coming back to Philadelphia — and the countdown has officially begun.
