The Philadelphia Phillies shook off a grueling travel schedule with a series victory against the San Diego Padres. They returned to Citizens Bank Park for the first time since early June in time for Kyle Schwarber to find his annual breakout.

Phillies vs. Baltimore Orioles

• Friday 6/14: Win 5-3
• Saturday 6/15: Loss 6-2
• Sunday 6/16: Loss 8-3

Phillies vs. San Diego Padres

• Monday 6/17: Win 9-2
• Tuesday 6/18: Win 4-3
• Wednesday 6/19: Loss 5-2

Looking Ahead

Rob Thomson wrote off the upcoming NLCS rematch as just another midseason series. Don’t expect the reception at Citizens Bank Park to reflect his words.

The Arizona Diamondbacks ruined the Red October hysteria in one of the most disappointing losses in Philadelphia sports history.

People still harp on the collapse of 1964. The most passionate MLB fan base doesn’t have such a short memory.

• Friday 6/21 6:40pm: Taijuan Walker (3-2, 5.33 ERA) vs. TBD
• Saturday 6/22 4:05pm: Zack Wheeler (8-4, 2.84 ERA) vs. Jordan Montgomery (5-4, 6.00 ERA)
• Sunday 6/23 11:35am: Cristopher Sanchez (4-3, 2.91 ERA) vs. Slade Cecconi (2-5, 5.90 ERA)

*All stats through June 19

• Phillies Get Right Against Padres

  The arduous travel to the MLB London Series and the proceeding schedule did the Phillies no favors entering their three-game against the Padres. They had a 2-4-1 series record during a 10-10 stretch dating back to Memorial Day Weekend. 

  June weather, an apparent mismatch, and a packed house at Citizens Bank Park provided the perfect medicine.

  The Phillies slugged 31 hits in their first two games back home. The outcome was never in doubt in a 9-2 blowout on Monday.

  Nick Castellanos helped the Phillies sneak away in a tight one on Tuesday. His walk-off double capped off a 4-5 evening before the Padres avoided the sweep on getaway day. The Phillies have won 25 of their last 30 home games.

  Since the fateful NLCS matchup in 2022, the Phillies have beaten the Padres in 14 of 18 tries. The dominance can’t sit well with a front office that’s unsuccessfully spent serious money to bring in star players in recent seasons.

  The Phillies dropped the series finale with Ranger Suarez on the mound, but the early finish afforded them over 48 hours between two home games. Rob Thomson acknowledged the importance of the extended rest after the day game on Wednesday.

  Philadelphia Phillies on X (formerly Twitter): "THE FIGHTINS BABY pic.twitter.com/gg0yoYRwZU / X"

  THE FIGHTINS BABY pic.twitter.com/gg0yoYRwZU

• Phillies Send Johan Rojas to AAA

  The Phillies optioned Johan Rojas for his first ever stint in AAA after the series loss in Baltimore. They would’ve had to designate another player for assignment, most likely Cristian Pache or David Dahl, to keep Rojas on the major league roster.

  The young center fielder had hit .235 in 58 games. While the Phillies never expected him to hit for power, the underwhelming pop of Nick Castellanos and Brandon Marsh in the corners made Rojas’ .566 OPS (MLB Average: .702) more glaring.

  Rojas slumped defensively for a stretch in mid May because of a tendency to overrun fly balls.

  Rob Thomson spoke confidently about his center fielder moving past the hiccups, but Rojas also wasn’t providing the outstanding range throughout the season that helped him grade extraordinarily with 15 defensive runs saved in 59 games in 2023.

  Rojas also didn’t make up for his offensive shortcomings with enough contributions as a base runner or a heads-up fielder. Thomson will now write his lineup cards with a bigger emphasis on outfield offense.

  

• Brandon Marsh & The Outfield Shuffle

  Brandon Marsh started two games in center and one in left during the series against the Padres, who used three right-handed starters. The breakout fan favorite hit .309 against righties and .128 against lefties through 54 games in 2024.

  He made an error in Monday night’s victory that ultimately allowed an unearned run to score.

  Marsh dove for a tough ball in center field with two outs in the eighth inning of a 2-1 game in Wednesday afternoon’s series finale. The ball squeaked by him, and Kyle Higashioka ended up at third with a bases-clearing triple that extended San Diego’s lead to 5-1.

  Pache chased a fly ball on Tuesday night and narrowly missed an outrageous highlight-reel catch. The 25-year-old banged into the wall while a ball off the bat of Luis Campusano landed in the bushes over the outfield wall.

  The former top prospect doesn’t add much past the skill set that Rojas brought. He plays the outfield well, but his career average still sits at .179 with no consistent power numbers.

  Dave Dombrowski will look for one of his hitters to emerge while he evaluates the roster leading up to the MLB Trade Deadline on July 30. Expect to hear the name Luis Robert Jr. in every rumor involving the Phillies until then.

  97.5 The Fanatic on X (formerly Twitter): "Expect the trade chatter to pick up with Dave Dombrowski calling the shots in Philadelphia https://t.co/zAnG45RlMu / X"

  Expect the trade chatter to pick up with Dave Dombrowski calling the shots in Philadelphia https://t.co/zAnG45RlMu

• Phillies Spotlight: Kyle Schwarber

  When the calendar flips to June, Kyle Schwarber performs. The unconventional leadoff hitter got a late start this year with his first multi-hit game of the month in the MLB London Series finale on June 9.

  He slugged two home runs against the Red Sox at Fenway Park and one more against the Orioles at Camden Yards. However, he saved the best for his return back to Citizens Bank Park.

  Schwarber launched a ball into the visiting team’s bullpen just short of Ashburn Alley in the third inning on Monday night. Another quick turn of his wrists with one of the best compact swings in baseball resulted in another homer two innings later.

  The 31-year-old DH also hit a solo shot on Tuesday to bring the Phillies within one and set up their rally in the ninth inning.

  Kyle Schwarber is more than just a June phenom. He’ll build on his reputation as an honorable man of the community in Philadelphia with two events to benefit Schwarber’s Neighborhood Heroes this week.

  Schwarber and his wife Paige support first responders, military personnel, and their families through their charitable efforts because of Kyle’s background in a family of first responders.

  The clubhouse atmosphere in Philadelphia continues to earn praise locally and nationally, internally and externally. It’s no coincidence that the chemistry has come together since Schwarber signed entering the 2022 season.

  Buster Olney joined Kincade & Salciunas in May to laud Schwarber as one of the best teammates in the major leagues.

  97.5 The Fanatic on X (formerly Twitter): ""I think Kyle Schwarber is as great of a teammate in fostering that sort of club house [where players relate and connect with each other] as any player I've been around. He works at it - it matters to him.Kevin Long, the hitting coach, said to me, 'Every day Kyle Schwarber... pic.twitter.com/Tenwbn6SCY / X"

  "I think Kyle Schwarber is as great of a teammate in fostering that sort of club house [where players relate and connect with each other] as any player I've been around. He works at it - it matters to him.Kevin Long, the hitting coach, said to me, 'Every day Kyle Schwarber...

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