Two New Squads — Series Preview: Yankees at Phillies, July 29 – 31

As July comes to an end, the MLB hot stove is as scorching as ever. With an impending playoff run for both squads, now is the time to make moves happen. Last week, the Phillies and New York Yankees had completely different teams. The Phillies had a hole in their outfield and a struggling bullpen, while the Yankees were struggling to get production from the middle and bottom of their lineup. As good organizations do, the Phillies and Yankees’ front offices have been scrambling to bolster their rosters ahead of the July 30 trade deadline.

The Phillies added 2023 all-stars Austin Hays and Carlos Estevez, giving a much-needed boost to a struggling Phillies team. Hays will make his third start for the Phillies in game one of the three-game series with the Yankees. Estevez, who arrived yesterday, will be available out of the Phillies’ bullpen starting tonight.

And having lost seven of their last ten games, both of these additions will need to contribute if the Phillies wish to get out of this funk and return to playing at an elite level.

As for the Yankees, it has not been a quiet week for them either. They made headlines on Saturday when they acquired star outfielder Jazz Chisholm, Jr. from the Miami Marlins. Chisholm made his Yankees debut on Sunday in Boston, where he hit fifth and started in center field. However, with slugger Giancarlo Stanton returning from the injured list, Chisholm will start at third base in game one this evening.

Breaking Down the Phillies’ Offensive Struggles

The Phillies’ struggles at the plate are no secret. They have struggled to plate runs ever since sweeping the Dodgers at the beginning of July, and it seems that the Phils’ nine starters cannot produce at the same time. In Sunday’s loss, Kyle Schwarber went yard twice and drove in all three runs, but the two-to-six-hole hitters in the Phillies’ lineup went a combined 0-18.

Brandon Marsh, for instance, has a .136 batting average in his last seven games, but Nick Castellanos is just starting to heat up. Bryson Stott‘s first-half struggles have carried over into the second half of the season, but his partner up the middle—Trea Turner, that is—continues his hot streak, posting a .938 OPS over his past 15 games.

So, is this anything to worry about? Probably not. It’s only a matter of time until this offense is back in sync. We know that all nine starters are capable of performing, so now it is just a waiting game. And luckily, with how well the Phillies have played up until this point, they have a wider margin for error than most teams at this point in the season.

Are they Done?

Despite the deadline being 24 hours away, many may venture to believe that the Phillies are finished making any major acquisitions. Historically, that may make sense. Last year, the Phillies traded for a pitcher and a utility player, and in 2022, they took two pitchers—one starter and one reliever—in addition to another bat to add to their lineup. They already have the bat in Austin Hays, and with such great depth in their rotation (remember, Turnbull, Suarez, and Walker are slated to return from the IL in the coming weeks), it does not make sense for the Phillies to hunt down another starting pitcher.

Nevertheless, some sources have indicated that the Phillies are still in the market for another reliever to add to the back end of their bullpen. With Jose Alvarado and Orion Kerkering struggling of late, there is no harm in adding another reliever. Tanner Scott and Kyle Finnegan have both been names the Phils’ front office has considered, and White Sox’ reliever John Brebbia has been rumored to be on the trading block.

Game Times and Broadcasts

Monday, July 39, 6:40 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBC Sports Philadelphia, and 94.1 WIP

Tuesday, July 30, 6:40 p.m. ET, TBS, NBC Sports Philadelphia, and 94.1 WIP

Wednesday, July 31, 12:35 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Philadelphia, and 94.1 WIP

Probable Pitching Matchups

Game 1: Zack Wheeler (RHP, 10-4, 2.55 ERA) vs Luis Gil (RHP, 10-5, 3.10 ERA)

Game 2: Aaron Nola (RHP, 11-4, 3.44 ERA) vs Gerrit Cole (RHP, 3-2, 5.40 ERA)

Game 3: Cristopher Sánchez (LHP, 7-6, 3.05 ERA) vs Nestor Cortes (LHP, 4-9, 4.13 ERA)

By the Numbers

• Records
• Phillies: 65-40
• Yankees: 62-45

• Run Differential
• Phillies: 114
• Yankees: 106

• Runs Scored Per Game
• Phillies: 4.88
• Yankees: 5.04

• Runs Allowed Per Game
• Phillies: 3.79
• Yankees: 4.05

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