One More Before Break — Series Preview: Phillies at Padres, July 11-13

The Phillies stay in California for a three-game series in San Diego after a series loss in San Francisco. While starting pitching has remained elite, offensive struggles and bullpen collapses were the reasons the Phillies lost their series to the Giants.

The Phillies enter San Diego with a chance to go into the All-Star break on a great note, after a disappointing series loss prior. Since there were only two series between now and the Padres visiting Philadelphia, the Phillies are facing a similar opponent in the San Diego Padres, who have played decent baseball in their two series after the series loss to the Phillies.

Contain the Stars

A huge reason the Phillies won the series against the Padres in Philadelphia is that starters were able to contain their hot bats, including players such as Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, Luis Arraez, and the young Jackson Merrill. If the Phillies’ starting staff is able to hold these star hitters to a minimum, the Phillies will have a very good shot at taking two games of three from San Diego.

The one concern is the bullpen. If bullpen arms are not able to close or hold a game after a phenomenal starting pitching performance, they will find similar results to this past series against the Giants. Guys such as Matt Strahm, Joe Ross, and Jordan Romano have to be careful about these powerful right-handed veterans that the Padres have.

With a tie game or a one-run lead for the Phillies, there have been numerous times when the bullpen has slipped up and blown a save or a hold. That will not end well against a roster like San Diego’s. With the starters likely to continue their recent dominance, it is the bullpen’s job to be able to mitigate the Padres’ offense.

Harper on a Hot Streak

A very important player fans will be keeping an eye on is Bryce Harper, who has shown major strides in his recovery from injury. In the series finale against San Francisco, Bryce had four extra-base hits, which he had never done in his career before. Every start after another has been better than the last for Harper, whether it’s at the plate or in the field at first base.

If Harper can display these signs of recovery during this series, the Phillies will more than likely find run support during these three games, which, despite having excellent starting pitching, has been absent during many of the Phillies’ losses this year.

Harper’s ability to get his swing back during the San Francisco series is crucial, as many times it often takes hitters months to get their swing back. His simple, “solid contact,” swing has provided many extra bases for Bryce, leading to more runs batted in, which leads to run support for starting and relief pitching. This will be a big test for Bryce in San Diego, as they are a tough opponent time after time.

Harper continuing this improvement during this upcoming series against the Padres will not only be a crucial aspect for the outcome of the series but will also give Harper confidence going into the All-Star break, as he has not had his best season up to now, though it seems he is only getting better up to this point.

Game Times and Broadcasts

Friday, July 11, 9:40 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Philadelphia, MLB Network, 94.1 WIP, WTTM 1680

Saturday, July 12, 7:35 p.m. ET, FOX, 94.1 WIP, WTTM 1680

Sunday, July 13, 4:10 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Philadelphia, 94.1 WIP, WTTM 1680

Probable Pitching Matchups

Game 1: Ranger Suarez (LHP, 7-2, 1.99 ERA) vs. Ryan Bergert (RHP, 1-0, 2.67 ERA)

Game 2: Zack Wheeler (RHP, 9-3, 2.17 ERA) vs. Yu Darvish (RHP, 0-1, 4.91 ERA)

Game 3: Cristopher Sanchez (LHP, 7-2, 2.59 ERA) vs. Nick Pivetta (RHP, 9-2, 3.07 ERA)

By the Numbers

• Records
• Phillies: 54-39
• Padres: 50-43

• Run Differential 
• Phillies: 65
• Padres: 5

• Runs Scored Per Game 
• Phillies: 4.62
• Padres: 4.01

• Runs Allowed Per Game 
• Phillies: 3.92
• Padres: 3.97

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