Luzardo to play stopper as Phillies look to rebound – Philly Sports activities

Could 30, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies infielder Bryson Stott (5) reacts after putting out in opposition to the Milwaukee Brewers within the third inning at Residents Financial institution Park. Necessary Credit score: Kyle Ross-Imagn Pictures

Going into the ultimate day of the month, the Phillies have solely misplaced one collection up to now. If the Phillies wish to maintain it that approach because the daylight dwindles on Saturday, they might want to make a stand as we speak in opposition to the Milwaukee Brewers.

After dropping Friday night time’s collection opener in opposition to the Brewers in a dull 6-2 consequence, the Phillies return to motion Saturday afternoon. Jesús Luzardo will take the mound for the Phillies in opposition to Brewers’ opener Rob Zastryzny.

Luzardo steps as much as be the stopper

With the Phillies on their first two-game skid in over a month, Jesús Luzardo will look to place a stopper to the bleeding on the mound Saturday. The southpaw has pitched phenomenally up to now for the Phillies, proudly owning a 2.15 ERA over 11 begins. He struck out 10 batters apiece in every of his most up-to-date begins in opposition to the Athletics and Colorado Rockies.

Amongst the Brewers’ lineup, Luzardo has faired fairly nicely in restricted at bats, shutting down the likes of William Contreras and Christian Yelich. Sal Frelick has discovered some success in opposition to Luzardo, going 3-for-5 lifetime in opposition to him.

The Brewers are opting once more to make the most of an opener to kickoff Saturday’s sport. Rob Zastryzny will open the sport for Milwaukee earlier than handing the ball over to Chad Patrick. The 26-year-old Patrick presently owns a 2.97 ERA on the season regardless of his 2-4 report. He recently pitched 4.2 shutout innings against the Boston Red Sox, putting out six whereas permitting three hits and two walks. The fitting-hander primarily throws a fastball, mixing in his cutter and four-seamer, which clocks in at a median of 93.7 mph. His principal secondary pitch is his sinker whereas he additionally mixes in a changeup and slider every so often. Patrick’s arm usually slots at a few 35-degree angle, making his fastball path in on left-handers.

Waking up the bats

Yesterday, the Brewers’ pitchers saved the Phillies to weak contact because the group racked up 18 ground-ball outs, 17 of them being hit to drag. Put up-game, Rob Thomson indicated the Phillies have to get again to utilizing everything of the sphere as an offense.

Maybe no bat has been as chilly currently as J.T. Realmuto. The catcher is batting .152 over his final 11 video games, managing solely seven hits and 13 strikeouts on the stretch. The catcher’s timing has been off on the plate, leading to lots of pull swings as of late. As Thomson described, Realmuto is at his greatest when he’s driving the ball into right-center subject.

“It tells me he’s got his timing,” mentioned Thomson. “Tells me he’s got his swing path.”

There’s maybe no higher catalyst for the Phillies’ offense than Bryce Harper. Harper has but to swing a bat since his elbow harm Tuesday night time and the Phillies might want to decide as we speak as as to whether the primary baseman requires a stint on the 15-day Injured Record.

“He’s one of those guys where you always know where he’s at, and so, you plan around that,” mentioned Thomson. “It’s difficult, but, we can’t control it. We’ve got to play through it.”

How is the climate searching for tonight?

The rainy morning ought to subside nicely in-time for Coca-Cola Photograph Day this afternoon. By the point first pitch comes round at 4:05 p.m., nonetheless, there’s a likelihood for a storm system to come back by means of. The Phillies will little question try to play by means of the circumstances, however a delay could possibly be within the playing cards early into tonight’s sport.

Necessary Credit score: Kyle Ross-Imagn Pictures