Staying West—Series Preview: Phillies at Giants, May 27 – 29
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After what was described as a “weird” series loss in Colorado, a little California sun might be just what the doctor ordered for the Phillies. They still own the best record in all of baseball, but this past weekend, their offense scuffled for the first time in a while. Luckily, tonight is as good an opportunity as any to turn that around, as the struggling Blake Snell toes the rubber for the Giants.
Last Time They Met
The Phils hosted the Giants at the very beginning of May, and describing that series as “successful” would even be an understatement. A few offensive outbursts in addition to solid pitching from Aaron Nola, Ranger Suarez, Taijuan Walker, Zack Wheeler, and the bullpen led the Phillies to a four-game sweep of San Francisco. Bryce Harper recorded six RBI in the series, and Phillies pitchers held the Giants to just 11 runs across four games, outscoring them by 18 total runs.
Since this series, both squads have been sailing smoothly. The Phillies’ success has been well-documented, as they have extended their hold over the Braves in the National League East and are a whopping 22 games over .500. The Giants, with a 27-27 record coming into the series, have won eight of their last ten games and have not lost a series since they faced the Dodgers during the second week of May.
Good Problems
What’s better than having two league-leading shortstops? Two!
Many Phillies fans thought that Trea Turner’s detour to the injured list would be beyond costly for the Phillies’ offense. And while no one’s denying that his presence is missed, Edmundo Sosa has certainly filled his shoes.
Since Turner was put on the injured list on May 4, Sosa has played in 17 games and has a .333 average, two home runs, 11 RBI, and 15 runs scored. Despite only having 83 plate appearances, he has the seventh-best fWAR on the Phillies, and the fourth-best among Phillies hitters.
On Saturday, he came through with a clutch RBI triple in the ninth inning, setting up the Phillies for a comeback victory. “Obviously, when Trea’s injury happened, it was something we weren’t expecting,” Sosa said via an interpreter after Saturday’s game. “But I was focused, I was preparing myself every day. And this opportunity to play comes… I have to seize it.”
Soon, the Phillies will be forced to make a decision, but it’s a decision that only the best teams have to make. How can they get the red-hot Edmundo Sosa consistent reps once Trea Turner returns from the IL?
Sosa undoubtedly deserves the opportunity, given the marked improvements he has made since being acquired from the Cardinals in 2022. There is no easy solution to this tricky question, but if anyone can find one, Rob Thomson is the man.
Game Times and Broadcasts
Monday, May 27, at 5:05pm ET on ESPN Plus, NBC Sports Philadelphia, and 94.1 WIP
Tuesday, May 28, at 9:45pm ET on MLB Network, NBC Sports Philadelphia, and 94.1 WIP
Wednesday, May 29, at 3:45pm ET on NBC Sports Philadelphia and 94.1 WIP
Probable Pitching Matchups
Game 1: Taijuan Walker (RHP, 3-0, 5.06 ERA) vs. Blake Snell (LHP, 0-3, 11.4 ERA)
Game 2: Zack Wheeler (RHP, 6-3, 2.53 ERA) vs. Spencer Howard (RHP, first start of season)
Game 3: Christopher Sanchez (LHP, 2-3, 3.15 ERA) vs. Kyle Harrison (LHP, 4-1, 3.9 ERA)
By the Numbers
- Records
- Phillies: 38-16 (best in MLB)
- Giants: 27-27
- Run Differential
- Phillies: 93 (best in MLB)
- Giants: -19
- Runs Scored Per Game
- Phillies: 5.35 (best in MLB)
- Giants: 4.39
- Runs Allowed Per Game
- Phillies: 3.63
- Giants: 4.74
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