Phillies Continue Homestand with Three-Game Series Against the Orioles
The Philadelphia Phillies will continue their current home stand with a three-game series against the Orioles to start this week. On the current home stand, the Phillies are 1-1 against the Tigers with Game Three happening tonight at 7:00 p.m. EST. The Phillies picked up the win in the first game of the series in a come-from-behind win, 5-4, before dropping the second game, 7-4. In the series with the Tigers, the Phillies debuted their newest closer, Jhoan Duran, who got the save in only four pitches. In the second deal with the Twins, new outfielder Harrison Bader has struggled through two games but looks to bounce back in the final game of the series and get hot before the clash with the Orioles. With these moves, the Phillies look to compete not only for the division but to complete their season aspirations of winning a championship. The team is currently half a game behind the Mets for the division lead and will look for a series win against the Orioles to get back in first place.
As for the Orioles, their season has gone in the opposite way from the Phillies, being sellers at the trade deadline. The team that just one year ago won 91 games is now at the bottom of the AL East with a 51-60 record. Along with being at the bottom of the division, the team traded several key pieces away at the trade deadline, including Cedric Mullins, Ryan O’Hearn, Ramon Laureano, and former Phillies player Gregory Soto in an attempt to regrow their farm system. The Orioles still have a lot of good pieces in Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday, but their outlook seems to already be onto next season. The new-look Orioles are still fighting, though, entering a two-series win streak, but are looking for their third straight against the Cubs today. The team will look to go into Citizens Bank Park and steal a crucial series away from the Phillies and continue their fight back into the Wild-Card chase.
Monday 8/4 - 6:45 p.m. EST
In the first game of the series, the Phillies should be pitching Jesus Luzardo against Cade Povich for the Orioles. The Phillies have not officially declared that Luzardo is starting, but according to ESPN, he will be the starter for the first game. Luzardo has had a rocky season for the Phillies, starting the season with a perfect 5-0 record to go along with a 1.95 ERA at the time. Since then, Luzardo has a 4-5 record across his next 12 starts while his ERA continues to go up to a now 4.31. Luzardo has shown promise during this tough stretch. In just his last start, he went seven innings while not allowing a single run. Luzardo will look to build on that momentum in Game One against the Orioles. As for his opponent, Cade Povich, he has had a similar season as Luzado’s back half. He comes into the matchup with a 2-5 record to go along with a 5.15 ERA; however, he has been on the IL since June. Povich will make his return against the Phillies lineup and will hopefully be able to turn around his rough second season in the MLB.
Tuesday 8/5 - 6:45 p.m. EST
In the pivotal second game of the series, it will probably be Taijuan Walker for the Phillies against Dean Kremer for the Orioles. Like Luzardo, Walker has not been announced as the official starter yet, but looks to be positioned to start. For Walker, he has been put in a tough spot throughout this entire 2025 season as he has bounced between being a starter and a member of the bullpen. This task is very tough, but Walker has understood his role and has played the best that he can. His season is not great but also not bad given the circumstances; however, he has not gone deep into any of his starts. His counting stats read a 3.85 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP, but he hasn't reached twice this season. The Phillies will continue to use Walker in his interesting role, but he will look to get the win against the Orioles in the second game. As for Kremer, he has had an up-and-down season up to this point as well. He comes in with an 8-7 record to go along with a 4.27 ERA, but what is more impressive is how deep he goes into starts, just like most of the Phillies' rotation. Kremer has reached the seventh inning twice out of his five starts in July; however, he has not reached the sixth inning in two out of his other five starts. Kremer will look to bounce back to his success earlier in July and steal a win from the Phillies at home.
Wednesday 8/6 - 12:35 p.m. EST
In the series finale, it will be Ranger Suarez for the Phillies against Trevor Rogers for the Orioles. For Suarez this season, he started red hot after coming back from injury, but has cooled off since. He still comes into the matchup with a great 8-4 record to go along with his 2.86 ERA, but the numbers don’t tell the whole story. Suarez has struggled with command as of late, which has caused his ERA to rise and for him to struggle during his starts, yet he is still able to go deep and come out without hurting the Phillies too much. He will look to bounce back in the final game for the Phillies and clinch the series win. As for his opponent, Trevor Rogers, he has had a terrific season up to this point. Since his debut in May, Rogers has a 1.44 ERA to go along with his 4-2 record. Rogers has not only performed extremely well, but has gone deep into starts, with his last five starts reaching the sixth inning. Rogers, at only 27 years old, looks to be a piece for the Orioles' future and will look to steal a game from the Phillies at home.
