King of Prussia-based baseball bat manufacturer Victus Sports was looking for a reason to do an advertisement with its client, Brandon Marsh. The Phillies outfielder’s stellar season — and first All-Star Game nod — gave Victus the perfect excuse.
“He was just a perfect fit,” Victus marketing director Doug Trimble said. “Just personality-wise, and obviously being a Philly guy made the most sense. The stars just aligned that he ended up being one of the best hitters in baseball this year.”
On Wednesday, Victus posted a teaser for the company’s new Philly Cheesesteak-inspired bat on X. The video shows Marsh, decked out in his full Phillies uniform, order a “Victus with onions” at Angelo’s Pizzeria. Marsh then walks out of the South Philly staple to unwrap an abnormally long sandwich. Grinning, the “wet bandit” reveals a Victus bat hidden under the parchment paper.
In the background, customers look on in awe at Marsh, who looks like he walked straight out of the outfield.
Those reactions were real. Between Marsh’s stringent schedule with the Phillies and Angelo’s limited hours, Victus decided it would be easiest to shoot the commercial quickly while the restaurant was open. The ad, along with a few shorter spots posted to social media, were completed in one-take.
“It was a cool moment,” Trimble said. “[Marsh] thought it was cool. He had a blast the whole day. I was kind of just running through concepts with him, and he was down for all of it.”
Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh (right) carries Victus’ new cheesesteak-themed bat over his shoulder while a cook whips up the real thing on the griddle at Angelo’s.Courtesy of Victus Sports
Why Angelo’s? Trimble will take the credit for picking the restaurant over the likes of a more nationally recognizable cheesesteak shop — like Pat’s or Geno’s.
For one, Angelo’s steak on a seeded roll is his personal favorite. More important though, Trimble felt partnering with the pizzeria would show Victus is a brand that is true to the area. Philadelphians, as he pointed out, are usually more drawn to a place like Angelo’s than more traditional spots.
“It’s just letting people know that we’re local to Philly,” Trimble said. “This is our hometown All-Star Game. Doing the whole collection with cheesesteaks and Marsh and the Phillies is just a part of that storytelling we’re trying to do.”
Victus’ new cheesesteak-themed bat sits next to the real thing at Angelo’s in South Philly.Courtesy of Victus Sports
When designing the bats themselves, there were also conversations around what type of steak they should resemble.
Some wanted “whiz” on the bat while others wanted the cheese to resemble cooper sharp. Ultimately, the team decided to feature a more generic cheesesteak on the bat with “Philly” written on it with cheese.
The bats, which were officially released on Friday, are currently for sale on Victus Sports’ website.
CINCINNATI — The Phillies bullpen shuffle continued on Tuesday ahead of their series opener against the Reds.
Right-hander Max Lazar was recalled from triple-A Lehigh Valley, while lefty Kyle Backhus was optioned.
Backhus has struggled since returning from an elbow injury at the end of June. In seven appearances since being activated from the injured list, Backhus has a 7.94 ERA.
“We just felt like Back hasn’t been throwing the ball like he did before before the injury,” said interim manager Don Mattingly. “He says he feels great, and I think he understands he’s just not throwing the ball well yet, so this gives him an opportunity to kind of work regularly, get his stuff together, and be prepared when we need him.”
Backhus also pitched an inning in the 15-1 loss to the Royals in the series finale on Monday, while Lazar gives the Phillies a fresh arm. Lazar, who has a 3.93 ERA in 18⅓ innings in triple A, can also be a multi-inning option.
Right-hander Brad Keller joined the team in Cincinnati and is set to be reinstated from the injured list on Wednesday. Keller had been on the shelf since June 16 with right forearm tendinitis, a nagging injury that Mattingly said he had been pitching through for a while before hitting the injured list.
Brad Keller joined the team in Cincinnati and is set to be reinstated from the injured list on Wednesday.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Keller made two appearances with the IronPigs on a rehab assignment, and pitched a scoreless inning on Sunday. Mattingly wanted to give Keller two days off before activating him.
Even after the blowout loss in Kansas City on Monday after Cristopher Sánchez only went 3⅔ innings, Mattingly feels his bullpen is in good shape for the Phillies’ series against the Reds. Garrett Stubbs pitched an inning in the loss, which also helped save an arm.
Wednesday’s game in Cincinnati will be a bullpen game, although the Phillies have not yet announced who will take the ball to start.
Day off for Marsh
With Brandon Marsh due for a day off, and the Phillies facing two left-handers in a row — the Royals’ Noah Cameron on Monday and the Reds’ Andrew Abbott on Tuesday — Mattingly let the outfielder choose when to sit.
Marsh opted to take off Tuesday against Abbott, with Edmundo Sosa taking over in left field and Justin Crawford remaining in the lineup in center field. Derek Hill started in right.
“[Abbott’s] got more of the sweep, which is a pitch that’s given Marshy more trouble from the left side,” Mattingly said.
Marsh has a .256 batting average and .706 OPS against left-handers this season after playing his way into an everyday role.
As the All-Star break approaches, Mattingly thinks the team overall is keeping its focus.
“I’ve had a lot of teams that you go into the break and you know guys are kind of hitting the wall a little bit. They also know these days off are coming,” Mattingly said. “I always talk about playing to the break. … Don’t take it off a series early or something. But I think we’re holding up OK. I think the tone with which we’ve played, not so much the result of the game, but the way you feel, the way guys are going about their business and stuff, you still feel good about.”
Extra bases
Reds All-Star right-hander Chase Burns (10-1, 2.40 ERA) will start against the Phillies in their bullpen game on Wednesday.
Citizens Bank Park will host the 96th All-Star Game on Tuesday, a showcase for the game’s best with a healthy contingent of Phillies.
After two phases of fan voting, Major League Baseball announced the starters on Saturday along with the reserves and pitchers. The remaining roster spots were determined through a players’ ballot and the commissioner’s office.
Let’s meet the cast of stars who were selected to play in South Philly (statistics through Sunday):
(Editor’s note: This story has been updated with roster moves since the initial All-Star announcement).
American League starters
First base: Ben Rice, Yankees
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .279/.372/.559, 29 HR, 68 RBIs
What to know: The 27-year-old Rice was beat out in fan voting for the starting spot at first base by Guerrero, but he had much better numbers than the Jays star. Rice’s .971 OPS is third in baseball.
Second base: Ernie Clement, Blue Jays
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .296/.318/.433, 8 HR, 32 RBIs
What to know: Clement was the top vote-getter in the AL for Phase 1, earning him a starting nod. It’s the latest achievement for an unlikely star, who has become a fan favorite in Toronto and delivered a record-setting postseason performance with 30 hits during the Jays’ run to the 2025 World Series.
All-Star stat: Clement is among the game’s toughest hitters to strike out with a 16% whiff rate, which is in the 90th percentile among MLB hitters.
Shortstop: Bobby Witt Jr., Royals
All-Star selections: Third
2026 stats: .286/.355/.461, 13 HR, 39 RBIs, 30 SBs
What to know: A Team USA teammate of Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber in the World Baseball Classic in March, Witt Jr. is a five-tool player who is in the 99th percentile in sprint speed and is second in fielding range (outs above average). He’s averaged 23.6 home runs, 82.4 RBIs, 35.6 stolen bases, and an .840 OPS in his five major league seasons.
All-Star stat: Witt Jr. leads the American League with 4.9 WAR (Baseball Reference), which is fourth in baseball.
Third base: Junior Caminero, Rays
All-Star selections: Second
2026 stats: .279/.372/.555, 28 HR, 59 RBIs
What to know: The 23-year-old Caminero, who also competed in the Home Run Derby, is starting his second straight All-Star Game, but this is his first time being voted in. Nicknamed “La Máxima,” Caminero has a brother named Girardi, after former Phillies manager Joe Girardi, then the manager of the Yankees.
All-Star stat: Caminero has elite bat speed, averaging 79.9 mph, tops in baseball, and has a hard-hit rate of 51.8%, a career best and in the 93rd percentile in MLB.
Outfield: Riley Greene, Tigers
All-Star selections: Third
2026 stats: .288/.380/.462, 13 HR, 45 RBI
What to know: One of three Tigers in the game, Greene, 25, is hitting for a higher average this season after batting .260 over the previous two seasons. But his power numbers are down for a guy who averaged 30 homers from 2024-25, and strikeouts remain an issue: He led the majors with 201 in 2025 and has 108 this season.
Outfield: Mike Trout, Angels
All-Star selections: 12th
2026 stats: .237/.390/.473, 18 HR, 39 RBIs
What to know: The three-time MVP’s 90.5 career WAR is tops among active players. After playing in 130 games last season — his most since 2019 — Trout has played in 78 of the Angels’ 97 games this season, but has been out since June 18 with a strained right hamstring. With the Angels going nowhere again, will the Millville native and rabid Eagles fan finally ask to be traded? That was a topic of conversation during All-Star festivities with the Phillies among the teams in the market for a right-handed hitter.
All-Star stat: A career .291 hitter, Trout is way down at .237, but his on-base percentage remains elite at .390. And with 18 home runs, he is on pace to surpass the 26 he hit last season, his most since his 40 in 2022.
Outfield: Cody Bellinger, Yankees
All-Star selections: Third
2026 stats: .254/.345/.421, 11 HR, 51 RBIs
What to know: Bellinger has regained the elite plate discipline that was a staple of his game when he won NL MVP with the Dodgers in 2019. His 12.7% walk rate is in the 91st percentile and is way up from last season (8.7%).
All-Star stat: Bellinger has regained the elite plate discipline that was a staple of his game early in his career when he won NL MVP with the Dodgers in 2019. His 12.7% walk rate is in the 87th percentile and is way up from last season (8.7%).
Catcher: Shea Langeliers, Athletics
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .257/.324/.483, 21 HR, 46 RBIs
What to know: The 28-year-old Langeliers has already notched his fourth straight season with at least 20 home runs. Only Cal Raleigh (133) has more home runs among catchers since 2023 than Langeliers (103).
All-Star stat: Langeliers posted a career-best 3.9 oWAR (offensive wins above replacement) in 2025, second among catchers again only to Raleigh’s 4.1. Langeliers has a 2.4 oWAR in 2026, trailing only Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler (3.0).
Designated hitter: Yordan Alvarez, Astros
All-Star selections: Fourth
2026 stats: .318/.426/.633, 31 HR, 70 RBIs
What to know: Alvarez, who won AL Rookie of the Year in 2019 and finished third in MVP voting in 2022, is having another big season, topping baseball in OPS, on-base percentage, and slugging.
All-Star stat: Alvarez’s expected slugging percentage, which measures a hitter’s quality of contact, is the best in MLB at .713, a career high.
National League starters
First base: Freddie Freeman, Dodgers
All-Star selections: 10th
2026 stats: .290/.375/.487, 15 HR, 49 RBIs
What to know: Freeman, 36, has appeared in every All-Star Game from 2018 to 2026, the only player in baseball to do so. This will be his sixth start and third with the Dodgers.
All-Star stat: One of the best pure hitters in the game, Freeman’s expected weighted on-base average (which measures the quality of a hitter’s contact regardless of factors beyond their control like defensive player abilities and dimensions of the ballpark) of .383 is in the 96th percentile and is up 33 points from 2025.
Second base: Ozzie Albies, Braves
All-Star selections: Fourth
2026 stats: .267/.320/.439, 14 HR, 51 RBIs
What to know: Albies topped Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott in Phase 2 of the All-Star vote. After getting off to a hot start (.908 OPS, seven homers, 20 RBIs) in the first month of the season, Albies has a .682 OPS since May 1.
All-Star stat: Along with decent power and speed, Albies has been one of the toughest hitters to strike out this season. His strikeout percentage of 13.4% is in the 90th percentile in the game.
Shortstop: CJ Abrams, Nationals
All-Star selections: Second
2026 stats: .275/.352/.510, 20 HR, 67 RBIs
What to know: The speedy Abrams has improved his power metrics in his fourth full season with the Nationals. He has met his career high of 20 homers set in 2024 and surpassed his career high of RBIs.
All-Star stat: Abrams’ slugging percentage is up 77 points from last season, and his average exit velocity has risen to a career-best 89.9 mph, which puts him in the 61st percentile among major leaguers.
Third base: Max Muncy, Dodgers
All-Star selections: Third
2026 stats: .259/.354/.488, 17 HR, 40 RBIs
What to know: Muncy beat out the Phillies’ Alec Bohm to become the first Dodger to start an All-Star Game at third base since Ron Cey in 1977.
All-Star stat: In addition to boosting his batting average and maintaining his power stroke, the 35-year-old Muncy is having his best defensive season at third base. His outs above average is in the 80th percentile of all major leaguers, by far the best of his career at third base.
Outfield: Brandon Marsh, Phillies
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .301/.339/.490, 15 HR, 46 RBIs
What to know: Marsh has broken through as an All-Star starter in his fourth full season with the Phillies, proving that he can hit enough against lefties to be an everyday player. A career .208 hitter against lefties entering this season, Marsh is batting .245 against southpaws in 2026.
All-Star stat: While Marsh is swinging at almost anything (his 37.7% chase rate is in the bottom 10% of the league and is the highest of his career), he is crushing pitches in the zone. He is among the best in the game with a 44.3% launch angle sweet spot rate (99th percentile).
Outfield: Juan Soto, Mets
All-Star selections: Fifth
2026 stats: .290/.405/.562, 21 HR, 51 RBIs
What to know: The Mets’ $765 million man is having an elite season even if his team has underwhelmed, sitting in last place in the NL East. He is third in baseball with a .405 on-base percentage and has more walks (55) than strikeouts (43). His walk-to-strikeout ratio is second in the National League to the Giants’ Luis Arraez.
All-Star stat: Soto, along with the Astros’ Yordan Alvarez and Nationals’ James Wood, is in the top three in baseball in two of the most comprehensive contact quality metrics, expected weighted on-base average and expected slugging.
Outfield: Andy Pages, Dodgers
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .270/.336/.471, 17 HR, 66 RBIs
What to know: The 25-year-old is fifth in the NL in RBIs, building off a 27-homer season in 2025 while playing elite defense in center field.
All-Star stat: Pages has cleaned up batting with runners in scoring position this season. He’s among the league leaders with a .349 batting average with runners in scoring position, driving in 53 of his 66 RBIs.
Catcher: Drake Baldwin, Braves
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .254/.335/.437, 15 HR, 46 RBIs
What to know: The National League Rookie of the Year in 2025 got off to a strong start to his second season, batting .303 with 13 home runs and 38 RBIs through May 18, but an oblique strain in his right side sidelined him for almost a month. He’s struggled in his return, batting .154 in 24 games.
All-Star stat: Although Baldwin is still trying to regain his early-season stroke, he is hitting the ball with an elite combination of launch angle and exit velocity. His 15.3% barrel rate is in the 92nd percentile among major leaguers, and is up from 11% in his rookie season.
Designated hitter: Kyle Schwarber, Phillies
All-Star selections: Fourth
2026 stats: .254/.367/.560, 32 HR, 59 RBIs
What to know: Schwarber is back in the All-Star Game for a second straight season and third time as a Phillie. His 32 home runs lead the majors, and his .560 slugging percentage is sixth in baseball.
AL pitchers
Bryan Baker, Rays
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: 1.73 ERA, 25 saves
What to know: Baker is tied for second in saves in his first season as the Rays’ closer, holding opponents to a .150 batting average.
Dylan Cease, Blue Jays
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: 2.56 ERA, 148 Ks, 2.18 FIP
What to know: In his first season with the Jays after signing a $210 million deal, Cease leads the AL in strikeouts. He will start for the AL.
Aroldis Chapman, Red Sox
All-Star selections: Ninth
2026 stats: 2.20 ERA, 19 saves
What to know: The 38-year-old flame-throwing closer is still missing bats, with 36 strikeouts in 28⅔ innings, but his 29.8% whiff rate is his lowest in six seasons.
Jacob Latz, Rangers
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: 1.61 ERA, 18 saves, 0.672 WHIP
What to know: After losing out for a spot in the rotation entering the season, Latz moved to the bullpen and thrived. He took over officially as closer in late April. Latz posted a 1.13 ERA with 11 saves in June to win AL Reliever of the Month.
Parker Messick, Guardians
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: 2.73 ERA, 1.071 WHIP
What to know: Messick wasn’t even assured of a rotation spot entering the season, but the rookie has emerged as one of the best young pitchers in the game. Hitters are batting just .140 against his four-seam fastball.
Drew Rasmussen, Rays
All-Star selections: Second
2026 stats: 3.26 ERA, 0.946 WHIP
What to know: Rasmussen followed up an All-Star season in 2025 with an even better one in 2026. He is second in the AL in WHIP, and is in the 99th percentile in walk rate (4.3%).
Joe Ryan, Twins
All-Star selections: Second
2026 stats: 2.85 ERA, 1.051 WHIP
What to know: Ryan figures to be one of the more popular pitchers mentioned in trade deadline speculation. He has anchored the Twins’ rotation for a second straight All-Star season.
Cam Schlittler, Yankees
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: 2.05 ERA, 205 ERA+
What to know: Schlittler’s four-seamer, which averages 97.7 mph, has held opponents to a .192 batting average and a 33.2% whiff rate. His strikeout percentage (29.2%) is in the 90th percentile.
Cade Smith, Guardians
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: 2.84 ERA, 28 saves
What to know: Smith has led the majors in saves for much of the season, buoyed by a 34.8% strikeout rate, which is in the 98th percentile in the game.
Nick Martinez, P, Rays
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: 8-2, 2.65 ERA
What to know: The 35-year-old Martinez, who played five years in Japan, is having a career season in Tampa. He ranks fifth in the AL in pitcher WAR (Baseball Reference). He replaces former Phillie Ranger Suárez, who is out of the game with a groin strain.
Louis Varland, Blue Jays
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: 1.10 ERA, 19 saves, 12.3 SO/9
What to know: In his first season as closer, Varland has been dominant, striking out 67 in 49 innings.
Michael Wacha, Royals
All-Star selections: Second
2026 stats: 3.77 ERA, 1.190 WHIP
What to know: The 35-year-old starter, who last made the All-Star Game in 2015, has been a workhorse for the Royals, pitching a league-high 119⅓ innings in 19 starts.
Justin Verlander, P, Tigers
All-Star selections: 10
2026 stats: 12.27 ERA in one start
What to know: The 43-year-old Verlander, who announced on Wednesday that he will retire at the end of the season, was added to the AL team as a “Legend Pick” by commissioner Rob Manfred. On the 60-day injured list with hamstring and hip injuries, Verlander will not pitch in the game but will be honored during the All-Star festivities.
AL reserves
Dillon Dingler, C, Tigers
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .262/.323/.508, 19 HR, 60 RBI
What to know: Dingler’s .508 slugging percentage is second among catchers only to fellow All-Star Hunter Goodman. He is also a Gold Glove-caliber backstop with elite numbers for pitch framing, blocks above average, and pop time.
Adley Rutschman, C, Orioles
All-Star selections: Third
2026 stats: .253/.327/.436, 8 HR, 47 RBIs
What to know: Rutschman remains an elite defensive catcher, ranking in the 97th percentile in caught stealing above average. He also has an impressive 14.2% whiff rate, meaning he rarely swings and misses.
Travis Bazzana, 2B, Guardians
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .238/.330/.389, 7 HR, 28 RBIs, 13 SB
What to know: The first overall pick of the 2024 draft, Bazzana, who’s from Australia, has impressed with his discipline at the plate and speed on the bases. His walk percentage (11.3%) and chase rate (26%) are near the 75th percentile in the majors, not bad for a 23-year-old rookie.
Kevin McGonigle, SS, Tigers
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .283/.392/.420, 8 HR, 34 RBIs
What to know: An Aldan native and Bonner-Prendergast graduate, McGonigle, 21, has arrived as a rookie star for the Tigers. Most notable is his plate discipline: He has more walks than strikeouts and is in the 99th percentile in chase rate. That contributes to a .392 on-base percentage, good for ninth in the majors.
Miguel Vargas, INF, White Sox
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .245/.355/.493, 21 HR, 59 RBIs
What to know: Vargas has emerged as a power hitter with plate discipline in his fifth major league season. His barrel percentage has jumped to 15.4% from 9.4% in 2025. Meanwhile, he rarely chases (21.2% chase rate) and has a 13.7% walk rate, which ranks in the 93rd percentile in the majors.
Randy Arozarena, OF, Mariners
All-Star selections: Third
2026 stats: .286/.380/.458, 11 HR, 45 RBIs
What to know: The Mariners’ lone representative, Arozarena is striking out less (21.6%, down from career 25.4%) and is about 40 points higher in batting average and on-base percentage in putting together a solid age-31 season.
Yandy Díaz, DH, Rays
All-Star selections: Second
2026 stats: .322/.398/.490, 13 HR, 55 RBIs
What to know: Díaz is having perhaps his best season of an underrated career, blending power with a disciplined approach at the plate. His 13.7% strikeout rate is in the 87th percentile in the majors.
Willson Contreras, 1B, Red Sox
All-Star selections: Fourth
2026 stats: .285/.379/.542, 20 HR, 61 RBIs
What to know: Contreras replaces Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on the AL roster and joins his brother William in the All-Star Game. The 34-year-old is on pace for his best season in his first year in Boston with a career-high .921 OPS.
Ceddanne Rafaela, OF, Red Sox
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .281/.328/.433, 8 HR, 39 RBIs
What to know: Rafaela replaces Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, who will miss the game with a rib injury. A Gold Glove winner last year, Rafaela’s 3.9 WAR (Baseball Reference) is fourth in MLB among position players. His defensive metrics are elite, highlighted by his outs above average (OAA), which ranks in the 99th percentile.
Munetaka Murakami, 1B, White Sox
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .232/.371/.540, 20 HR, 42 RBIs
What to know: The 26-year-old rookie from Japan is replacing Byron Buxton on the roster. He returned to the White Sox lineup on Friday after missing more than a month with a strained hamstring. Before the injury, he showed tremendous power, with an elite hard hit rate (59.2%) and walk rate (17.8%).
Tristan Peters, OF, White Sox
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .301/.354/.478, 6 HR, 36 RBIs
What to know: Peters replaces Nick Kurtz on the AL roster. A former Savannah Banana, Peters hit for the cycle this season and has proven to be a nice pickup for the White Sox, who acquired him from the Rays over the winter for cash.
NL pitchers
Chase Burns, Reds
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: 11-1, 2.54 ERA
What to know: The second pick of the 2024 draft has blossomed in his first full season. His 31.7% whiff rate ranks in the 89th percentile, and his strikeout rate (28.6%) ranks in the 87th percentile.
Jhoan Duran, Phillies
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: 1.38 ERA, 24 saves, 0.918 WHIP
What to know: Duran has given the Phillies everything they hoped for when they acquired him at the 2025 trade deadline. His success starts with his four-seamer, which averages 100.2 mph and has held opponents to a .129 batting average against it. His 39.7% strikeout rate is the best of his career.
Raisel Iglesias, Braves
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: 2.23 ERA, 19 saves, 1.082 WHIP
What to know: This All-Star selection has been a long time coming for the 12-year veteran Iglesias, who is fourth in the NL in saves. A master of getting hitters to swing at pitches out of the zone, Iglesias, 36, is in the 99th percentile in chase rate (39.5%, a career high).
Jesús Luzardo, Phillies
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: 3.51 ERA, 136 strikeouts
What to know: Luzardo replaced the Marlins’ Max Meyer to become the sixth Phillies All-Star. After a rough start to the season when he sported a 5.50 ERA in his first six starts, Luzardo has been a different pitcher since May 1, posting a 2.61 ERA in his last 13 starts.
Braxton Ashcraft, Pirates
All-Star appearances: First
2026 stats: 9-3, 3.49 ERA, 1.112 WHIP
What to know: The 26-year-old Ashcroft, who replaced the Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski, has been a pleasant surprise for the Pirates this season. He’s allowed one run or fewer in nine of 19 starts. Opponents are batting .140 against his curveball, which has an elite 40.5% whiff rate.
Mason Miller has an 0.98 ERA this season.Gregory Bull
Mason Miller, Padres
All-Star selections: Second
2026 stats: 0.91 ERA, 25 saves, 0.782 WHIP
What to know: Miller might be the most intimidating closer in the game with a four-seamer that averages 101.3 mph. His slider is the deadliest put-away pitch in the game with a strikeout rate of 59.0%.
Riley O’Brien, Cardinals
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: 3.43 ERA, 24 saves
What to know: The 31-year-old O’Brien, who replaced Pirates ace Paul Skenes, is tied for second in the NL with 24 saves. His success is driven by a devastating sweeper, which opponents are batting just .031 against and has led to a 47.9% whiff rate.
Eduardo Rodriguez, Diamondbacks
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: 8-3, 2.29 ERA
What to know: Another NL pitcher who had to wait awhile to make his first All-Star team, Rodriguez has been stellar for Arizona in his 11th season. He has given up one run or fewer in 11 of his 19 starts this season.
Chris Sale, Braves
All-Star selections: 10th
2026 stats: 9-6, 2.20 ERA
What to know: The 37-year-old Sale is still elite, relying on a four-seamer and slider almost 80% of the time. And he can still fool hitters with the best of them — his 35.4% chase rate is in the 92nd percentile of all pitchers.
Cristopher Sánchez, Phillies
All-Star selections: Second
2026 stats: 11-4, 2.62 ERA, 5.76 SO/BB
What to know: The unlikely ascent from fringe minor leaguer to Cy Young candidate has continued this season and earned him the starting nod for the NL. Sánchez leads all pitchers with 5.7 WAR and didn’t allow a run for 50⅔ innings earlier this season, the most ever for a left-handed pitcher. It all starts with his changeup, against which hitters are batting .167 this season.
Logan Webb, Giants
All-Star selections: Third
2026 stats: 3.86 ERA, 1.156 WHIP
What to know: Webb, who led the NL in innings the past three years, got off to a rough start to the season. He had a 5.06 ERA in his first eight starts but has turned it around over his last eight with a 2.75 ERA.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers
All-Star selections: Second
2026 stats: 9-6, 2.85 ERA, 0.913 WHIP
What to know: Last year’s postseason hero has been just as good as in 2025. In fact, he has lowered his WHIP. He’s also lowered his walk rate to an elite 5.9%, which puts him in the 86th percentile of pitchers.
NL reserves
William Contreras, C, Brewers
All-Star selections: Third
2026 stats: .282/.344/.398, 9 HR, 53 RBIs
What to know: Contreras has been the most productive catcher offensively over the past four seasons. And he’s durable, averaging 149 games in his last three full seasons.
Hunter Goodman, C, Rockies
All-Star selections: Second
2026 stats: .254/.324/.538, 27 HR, 51 RBIs
What to know: Goodman has developed into one of the best power-hitting catchers in the game over the past two seasons. He’s on his way to a second straight 30-homer season and ranks fifth in the NL in slugging percentage.
Luis Arraez, 2B, Giants
All-Star selections: Fourth
2026 stats: .330/.369/.460, 4 HR, 35 RBIs
What to know: The toughest guy to strike out in baseball, Arraez is a career. 318 hitter, and has led the league in hits twice in his career, and is second this season.
Bryce Harper, 1B, Phillies
All-Star selections: Ninth
2026 stats: .260/.365/.497, 20 HR, 57 RBI
What to know: After coming up short in the fan vote, Harper was “grateful” to be picked for the team by commissioner Rob Manfred. He’s certainly deserving of the spot with an OPS of .862 and his 12th 20-homer season while playing every game. After all, an All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park without the Showman wouldn’t seem like much of a show at all.
Otto Lopez, SS, Marlins
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .334/.368/.505, 9 HR, 45 RBI, 17 SB
What to know: Baseball’s batting leader also is tops in hits (127) and doubles (26) during what has been a career year for the 27-year-old.
Matt Olson, 1B, Braves
All-Star selections: Fourth
2026 stats: .267/.339/.534, 25 HR, 58 RBI
What to know: Olson, who has nine seasons of 20-plus home runs, is having a resurgent power season. His slugging percentage has surged to .534 this season after sitting at a combined .471 in 2024 and 2025. And more than half his batted balls are considered hard hit, putting him in the 93nd percentile among all hitters.
Sal Stewart, INF, Reds
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .256/.338/.474, 19 HR, 65 RBI
What to know: The 22-year-old is one of two rookies to represent the Reds at the All-Star Game, along with pitcher Chase Burns. Stewart, who has played mostly third and first base this season, is seventh in the NL in RBIs.
Corbin Carroll, OF, Diamondbacks
All-Star selections: Third
2026 stats: .252/.347/.478, 13 HR, 45 RBI
What to know: An All-Star for the third time in his four full seasons, the 25-year-old Carroll is having another strong season with an .825 OPS. The speedy outfielder again leads the majors in triples, a crown he was won for four straight seasons.
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF, Cubs
All-Star selections: Second
2026 stats: .291/.386/.531, 21 HR, 53 RBI, 24 SB
What to know: Entering June, PCA was batting .231 with a .713 OPS and a 25.6% strikeout rate. Then June rolled around (along with a late-May switch to the leadoff spot), and he took off with an epic month. He posted a 1.249 OPS with 40 hits, 11 home runs and a .381 batting average to surge back into All-Star contention.
Jordan Walker, OF, Cardinals
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .294/.354/.532, 22 HR, 74 RBI
What to know: The 24-year-old Walker is having a breakout season for the surprising Cardinals, and is coming off winning a memorable Home Run Derby. It’s been fueled by elite bat speed (79.2 mph), which trails only Junior Caminero (79.9) as the best in the majors.
James Wood, OF, Nationals
All-Star selections: Second
2026 stats: .279/.410/.575, 28 HR, 64 RBI
What to know: The 23-year-old is having an exceptional offensive season. It’s a combination of solid contact and an elite ability to get on base — he is in the 99th percentile among hitters in hard hit and walk percentages. He’s also been durable, playing in every game this season.
Iván Herrera, DH, Cardinals
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .249/.381/.390, 11 HR, 40 RBIs
What to know: Herrera replaces Shohei Ohtani on the NL roster with the Dodgers star dealing with a left knee injury. Herrera’s .381 on-base percentage, boosted by a 12.1% walk rate, is eighth in the National League.
When you’re a two-time batting champion in the midst of a three-month slump, everyone looks for the littlest hint of a breakout. A line drive here, a home run there, anything to forecast the inevitable hot streak.
“When [reporters] ask me if I’m back, I’m like, ‘I don’t know,’” the Phillies’ star shortstop said recently. “Like, I’ve got to do it for three, four days. You could have a good game here or there, but it’s about consistency.”
OK, then. How about two weeks’ worth of good games? Or three consecutive games with a homer? Or turning on a sweeper from Paul Skenes and hitting it into the left-field seats Wednesday night to power a 10-6 pounding of the Pirates, the Phillies’ seventh win in nine games?
“I feel like the last three or four weeks have been pretty solid,” Turner said. “I know how good I am. I know how good I can be, focusing on the last three weeks and getting back to two-strike hitting and scoring runs. I feel like I’ve scored runs at a really good clip because the guys behind me are playing so well.
“But that’s my job, to score runs, so I feel like the last few weeks have been really good.”
Interim manager Don Mattingly seems amused by the topic. After Turner doubled, homered, and drove in three runs on his 33rd birthday Tuesday night, Mattingly answered a question with two playful questions: “Is he coming back? Is he going yet?”
Phillies co-ace Zack Wheeler gave up four runs in only 4⅔ innings Wednesday night.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
But it’s clear Turner has rediscovered … something. He said he has been pleased with his two-strike approach. He’s making better adjustments within a game. After popping up in his first at-bat against Skenes, he ditched his leg kick before the home run.
Most importantly, Mattingly noted that Turner isn’t swinging at as many pitches out of the strike zone.
“He’s always going to chase a little bit,” Mattingly said. “But when it’s not in the other batter’s box, you know he’s starting to see the ball and take some closer pitches, foul some balls off, and get to balls.”
Add it up, and since June 17, when he was reinstalled in the leadoff spot, Turner is 21-for-60 to hike his average from .216 to .239 and his OPS from .595 to .655.
It’s still not the production that Turner is accustomed to, but hey, it’s a start.
“I feel like [the numbers] are not going to look good probably no matter what I do for a while,” he said. “Just try to focus on some good progress and then keep rolling with it and see where they end up at the end of the year.”
Turner’s revival is happening at a perfect time. Not only are the Phillies (49-38) closing fast on the division-leading Braves, going from 9½ games out on June 7 to only 2½, but the trade deadline is looming on Aug. 3.
The Phillies entered play Wednesday with the lowest OPS in baseball from their right-handed hitters (.607). But as much as they needed another bat from the right side, they’re unlikely to be able to acquire one as good as Turner.
In case any of the 41,766 paying customers forgot after Turner finished fifth in the NL MVP race last season, his tone-setting ability was on display again in the worst start of Skenes’ career.
A presupposed pitchers’ duel between Skenes and Zack Wheeler turned into a dud. The Phillies thumped Skenes for eight runs (seven earned) in four innings; Wheeler gave up four runs and wasn’t happy to be lifted with two out in the fifth inning after 104 pitches, snapping his streak of 53 starts of at least five innings dating back to June 2024.
“I feel like I’ve earned that,” Wheeler said.
Neither ace exhibited his usual command. And Skenes was hurt by the Pirates’ defense. With the bases loaded in the second inning, Justin Crawford chopped a ball to third baseman Nick Gonzales, whose throw to the plate hit Alec Bohm and rolled away, enabling two runs to score.
Up stepped Turner, who got a sweeper on the inner half of the plate and pulled it out to left field for a three-run homer.
Skenes hadn’t allowed more than five runs in any of his previous 72 major league starts. The Phillies hung a five-spot on him in the second inning. Brandon Marsh tacked on a leadoff homer in the third before Bryce Harper’s two-run double in the fourth opened an 8-2 lead.
It wasn’t the first time the Phillies conquered Skenes. They clipped him for five runs May 17 in Pittsburgh. He has allowed 39 earned runs all season; 12 have come against the Phillies.
“Our club’s not really afraid of anybody,” Mattingly said. “It doesn’t matter who the guy is. We’ve got guys who’ve had success in their career, and you’re not shying away from guys like this.”
Turner added: “I think we’ve got a good team.”
The Phillies are on a 109-win pace under Mattingly (40-19) after a 9-19 start that prompted a managerial change.
And now they’ve got Turner playing like Turner again.
“Somebody asked me earlier, when do I feel like Trea’s going good,” Mattingly said. “Once a guy gets rolling, I mean, you know it’s there and he finds the field. … Trea’s been going for a while now.”
For the better part of a decade, Aaron Nola has been the Phillies’ workhorse.
It’s a role he takes pride in. Six times, he has taken down over 180 innings in a season. But lately, that durability has started to show cracks.
Last year, Nola was uncharacteristically hampered by injuries. He’s healthy now, but his bounceback season hasn’t gone according to plan. And after Monday’s 11-7 loss to the Pirates, where he allowed a season-high seven earned runs over just 4⅓ innings, the path forward isn’t clear.
“I haven’t really had a stretch like this ever in my career,” said Nola, whose season ERA has risen to 6.04.
Nola squandered a 5-0 lead the offense built against Pirates starter Braxton Ashcraft. Trea Turner and Brandon Marsh each hit solo homers in the first inning, while Bryce Harper hit a two-run shot in the third. All three homers came in two-strike counts.
But Nola had issues with homers, too. He looked efficient early with an eight-pitch first inning, and was getting a lot of batters to swing and miss. But he started to falter by the fourth. Bryan Reynolds was inches away from clearing the top of the railing in left-center, settling for a leadoff double. He scored anyway when Esmerlyn Valdez teed up a curveball over the middle of the plate for a two-run shot.
“Early in that game I thought he was going to roll,” said interim manager Don Mattingly. “The way he was throwing the ball, it seemed sharp. Good breaking ball, down in the zone, a lot of swing-and-miss early in the game. And then just got sideways. So I’m not quite sure what happened.”
For the seventh time this year, Nola failed to get out of the fifth inning, which turned ugly quickly. Nola allowed four hits — including another homer and a double — and walked two in the frame.
Three runs had already scored when Seth Johnson finally relieved him with the bases loaded, and all three inherited runs would score, too.
“It just sped up on him quite a bit there,” said catcher J.T. Realmuto. “The stuff diminished quite a bit. … You could just tell he got a little tired, it was hot, just the stuff wasn’t as good that inning.”
Although Nola induced 23 whiffs from Pirates hitters, the second-most in a game in his career, he wasn’t able to take many positives from his outing.
“A lot of runs tonight, I didn’t really do well with the lead I got, what the guys gave me. They hit really well tonight,” Nola said. “… Swing and misses, honestly, tonight it doesn’t really matter. Gave up too many hits, too many runs, got to be better at that.”
The two homers Nola allowed Monday upped his season total to 19, which is tied for fifth-most among pitchers this year.
As Nola tries to find a way to turn his season around, he has started toying with a slider as a potential different look for hitters. It can be a challenge to add a new pitch mid-season and he hasn’t thrown it much. He flashed it three times against the Pirates, generating one whiff.
“Just something different,” Nola said. “I throw so many curveballs, and I feel like we saw it tonight, if one pops, it usually gets barreled. So we’ll see.”
Nola’s shorter outing caused the Phillies to turn to their bullpen earlier than hoped, as the unit had been taxed recently after some tight games against the Nationals and Mets.
After entering the game, Johnson issued a leadoff walk to force in the go-ahead run, and then induced a grounder to Harper. He got the force out at second, but Turner flung the ball high over first base, allowing two more runs to score for the 8-5 Pirates lead. Turner’s error is his 11th of the season, which has already surpassed his full-season total of eight in 2025.
Bryce Harper (right) celebrates with Brandon Marsh after hitting a two-run home run in the third inning of Monday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
The offense showed some life late, though. Marsh hit his second homer of the game in the eighth to start chipping away. He fell behind in the count, 1-2, to Gregory Soto, but put a good swing on a high and inside fastball. Bryson Stott and J.T. Realmuto hit back-to-back two-out singles to cut the lead to 8-7.
Derek Hill kept the line moving with a walk, but Justin Crawford was called out on strikes to end it, stranding two.
In the ninth, Mattingly opted to use righty Chase Shugart, who had blown a save against the Mets on Sunday, with the intention of preserving his higher-leverage arms. It backfired when he gave up a three-run homer to Pittsburgh catcher Endy Rodríguez that put the Pirates back ahead by four runs.
“I really didn’t feel like I have much of a choice, honestly, there,” Mattingly said. “Didn’t really feel like, where we’re at with everything, we could just keep chasing a win in with our back-end guys and lose another one. Yeah, I felt like we had to get through that with Shug. He gets two outs quick, and then little kind of a halfway flare to center, and yeah, obviously the breaking ball he hits for the homer.”
In the bottom of the ninth, Turner struck out, Schwarber grounded out, and Marsh struck out to end it.
WASHINGTON — In the right field corner of Nationals Park, a group of entirely shirtless fans took over Section 236.
They were steadily growing in number on Thursday night, while the Phillies — yet again — fell behind early against the Nationals. The fans, who were waving their discarded shirts and chanting for most of the game, were participating in a movement known as “Tarps Off.”
It’s a trend that is not unique to this series, and not unique to the Nationals. But the Phillies took notice of this particular group in right field earlier this week, when their chants started to include expletives directed at former Nationals Bryce Harper and Trea Turner.
The “F— Bryce Harper” chants resumed in full force on Thursday. And so when Harper blasted a two-run home run to break a 5-5 stalemate in the ninth inning, he made sure he acknowledged them. As he rounded the bases, he flashed a finger — which he clarified was his ring finger — toward the upper deck in right field.
“Obviously, everybody heard it,” Harper said. “We heard it the other night. I mean, they were doing same thing to Trea — which is crazy, because they should probably know their history a little bit with them winning the World Series here — but yeah, it’s part of it. I love coming in here and playing here.”
By the time Derek Hill stepped into the box and hit another homer, capping a five-run ninth inning and the 10-5 win, the Tarps Off group had mostly dispersed.
The Phillies secured the series victory over Washington with their third consecutive comeback win. Each of them had involved a go-ahead home run in the ninth inning.
“We just have that never-quit mentality,” said Brandon Marsh.
Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sánchez had his shortest outing on Thursday since April 7.Nick Wass
And in each ninth inning, the Phillies had a different hero. On Tuesday, it was Bryson Stott. On Wednesday, it was Hill. And on Thursday, it was the former face of the Nationals franchise.
“You guys know everywhere I go, I get booed and they say my name or boo or anything else. I love it. It’s all part of it,” Harper said. “It’s weird coming from a fan base that I sweated for for seven years, but there’s a lot of people around here that enjoy me, so it’s all part of it, it’s all fun.”
Their latest comeback helped the Phillies recover from an uncharacteristic start from Cristopher Sánchez. The lefty wasn’t as sharp as usual, and it seemed like Washington capitalized on every mistake he made to jump out to a four-run lead in the first inning.
Curtis Mead started it off. The former Phillies prospect they traded to Tampa Bay in 2019 to acquire Sánchez blasted a homer over the bullpen in left field. Sánchez couldn’t rebound, hitting the next batter and allowing three singles before finally getting out of the first.
“I thought probably his command tonight was not as good as we’ve seen,” said interim manager Don Mattingly. “Seemed like the changeup command was not great tonight. Stuff was good, he was throwing the ball good. Probably a little unfortunate on some plays, that if you get an out here and out there, it limits some of that damage.”
The defense didn’t help Sánchez, costing him quite a few pitches en route to his shortest outing — five innings — since April 7. J.T. Realmuto committed a throwing error in the third inning trying to catch Dylan Crews stealing second, and Alec Bohm booted a ball at third.
Sánchez struck out six batters, including five on his slider.
“I missed a couple pitches, and they got me, but outside of that, I think I felt great today,” he said through team interpreter Diego D’Aniello.
After the Phillies fell behind 5-0, their relievers locked things down as the offense chipped away. Marsh hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning to put the Phillies on the board. In the seventh, they capitalized on two singles and four walks to tie the game, as Washington’s bullpen — which has a National League-worst 5.05 ERA — collapsed again.
“We were very patient there in the seventh,” Mattingly said. “In the strike zone. We talked about it, hitting there. … [Justin Crawford] gets a hit, Trea gets a hit, gets it started, and then you’re into [Kyle Schwarber], and he walks, Harp walks, and it just kind of snowballs.”
Chase Shugart, José Alvarado, Orion Kerkering, and Tim Mayza each pitched a scoreless inning for the Phillies. Kerkering was the only reliever to allow a hit. He gave up a leadoff double in the eighth and then battled back to strike out two consecutive pinch-hitting lefties with his fastball and induced a groundout to preserve the 5-5 tie.
It set the stage for some more ninth-inning magic.
“Everyone heard what those group of dudes were saying up there,” Marsh said. “I feel like Harp gets a lot of heat just for being who he is and how good he is, and I feel like it just comes with being one of the best players to ever play.
“Him coming in clutch for us in that moment, I mean, I don’t even know the word to describe it. The boys needed it, and he came through for us, and another crazy ninth inning.”
With less than a week left to vote, it hardly qualifies as a surprise that three Phillies players are in the running to start Philadelphia’s first All-Star Game in 30 years.
Harper finished third among first basemen in the first phase of fan voting, MLB announced Thursday. If the Face of the Phillies gets selected to his ninth All-Star Game on July 14 at Citizens Bank Park, it will be through player balloting as a National League reserve.
But the Phillies may still be well-represented in the NL’s starting lineup. Brandon Marsh moved on to the second stage of fan voting by collecting the second-most votes among outfielders, while Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm did the same by finishing second at second base and third base, respectively.
Kyle Schwarber, who leads the majors with 29 homers, ran second among designated hitters. But Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani locked up a starting spot by getting the most votes of any NL player. Schwarber is a virtual lock to be chosen as a reserve.
Voting resumes at noon Monday on MLB.com and on the MLB app and concludes at noon next Thursday. Votes from the first phase of voting don’t carry over. MLB will announce the All-Star rosters, including starters, on July 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh is a candidate to start the All-Star Game for the National League.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Marsh ranked third in the NL in hitting — and second among all major league outfielders — with a .321 average through Wednesday. He had 14 doubles, 11 homers, and an .860 OPS that was third among Phillies players behind Schwarber and Harper.
Six NL outfielders advanced to the final round of voting, with the Dodgers’ Andy Pages and Teoscar Hernández, the Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr. and Michael Harris II, and the Mets’ Juan Soto joining Marsh. Hernández and Acuña are on the injured list with hamstring strains.
Bohm and Stott have recovered from awful starts to the season. Stott, in particular, was 19-for-58 (.328) with a .917 OPS in his last 16 games. He’s vying with Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies, and Bohm is pitted against Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy.
Harper (.877 OPS, 17 homers entering Thursday night’s game) finished behind the Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman (.859, 13 homers) and the Braves’ Matt Olson (.870, 20 homers). The NL carried three third basemen last season (Freeman, Olson, and Pete Alonso).
All-Star reserves and pitchers are selected through the player balloting.
Cristopher Sánchez, second in the NL with a 1.80 ERA entering his start Thursday night in Washington, and closer Jhoan Duran (1.69 ERA, 19-for-20 in save opportunities) are strong candidates. Zack Wheeler (2.11 ERA in 11 starts) is also a possibility, though he missed the first month of the season.
Schwarber and Harper said they’ll decide on competing in the Home Run Derby after they know whether they’re selected as All-Stars.
Also Wednesday, Don Mattingly was named to the NL coaching staff, as expected, by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. Phillies head athletic trainer Paul Buchheit, strength and conditioning coach Morgan Gregory, and clubhouse manager Phil Sheridan will be part of the NL staff. Kevin Steinhour will be the AL clubhouse manager.
WASHINGTON — The Phillies were down to their very last strike.
In the dugout, Bryson Stott didn’t know it. If he had, it wouldn’t have mattered. Even though it seemed like the Nationals had seized all the momentum with Jorbit Vivas’ go-ahead homer in the eighth inning, and even though his spot in the lineup wasn’t due up for seven more batters, Stott was ready.
He was ready even after Brad Lord recorded back-to-back strikeouts to start the ninth and took Trea Turner to a 1-2 count. Behind home plate, fans started to rise from their seats, anticipating the final out of the game.
But then Turner — who was 0-for-4 on Tuesday night before he stepped into the box — sent a single to left-center field. And after Brandon Marsh powered a sweeper clear over the Nationals bullpen in right field for a game-tying homer, the idea that Stott might get another at-bat in the game didn’t seem all that far-fetched anymore.
“I just stay ready,” Stott said. “I think a lot of us are ready, and we know anything like that can happen at any time. … You know who’s hitting in front of you and what they’re capable of.”
Stott watched Marsh’s at-bat on an iPad in the dugout, and when it was his turn — after Bryce Harper and Derek Hill kept the line moving with singles — he repeated the feat. He sent a homer of his own to the second deck in right field, which stayed just inside the foul pole. The two homers highlighted an eight-run ninth inning that put the Phillies on top for a 14-9 win over Washington.
“That was pretty epic,” Marsh said. “From everybody.”
Brandon Marsh batted second in the lineup on Tuesday with Kyle Schwarber out with back tightness.Jess Rapfogel
Ten consecutive Phillies reached base in the ninth, all with two outs. They racked up five singles, two walks, a double from Edmundo Sosa, and the two homers. Before the Nationals ended the rally, Turner came back up to the plate and delivered his second single of both the game and inning to score their eighth run of the frame.
The Phillies mounted the comeback — in a game they had once trailed 5-0, then led 6-5, then trailed 8-6 — without major league home run leader Kyle Schwarber, who was scratched a few minutes before first pitch with low back tightness.
Interim manager Don Mattingly said Schwarber’s back tightened up about seven minutes before the game started and he was unable to swing. Mattingly added that Schwarber’s back was already feeling better postgame.
“It sounds like this has kind of happened before,” Mattingly said. “I think Kyle’s probably smart enough to know to take care of it, stop right away, and don’t try to keep going.”
Sosa found out minutes before the game that he was replacing Schwarber in the lineup at designated hitter. But he filled in well, recording five RBIs. Along with his two-run double in the ninth inning, he hit a two-run homer in the fifth and an RBI groundout in the seventh as the Phillies chipped away at Washington’s early lead.
“I told myself, ‘Let’s have fun tonight,’” Sosa said through team interpreter Diego D’Aniello.
Phillies starter Jesús Luzardo watched the ninth inning unfold from the visitors’ clubhouse at Nationals Park with a group of teammates who had also already exited the game.
“We all had the same reaction after every home run, so it was great,” Luzardo said.
Luzardo tied a career-high with 13 strikeouts, but he was also charged with five earned runs as he grinded through 6⅔ innings.
For the most part, though, Luzardo got the contact he wanted. Four runs scored on him in the fourth inning on five singles and a walk, but four of those hits were ground balls and the other was a broken-bat bloop.
After that inning, Luzardo retired seven consecutive Nationals until he issued a leadoff walk in the seventh. Jonathan Bowlan inherited two runners, but struck out Curtis Mead to strand them.
“They weren’t really hitting him hard around the field,” Mattingly said. “Just kept giving up hits, some tough plays, and just hanging in there, giving us a chance, I thought was huge.”
The Phillies took their first lead of the game in the eighth. The Nationals brought in lefty Richard Lovelady to face Marsh, but he made them regret it with a double to the wall, and advanced to third on a fielding error.
Alec Bohm worked a walk, was replaced by a pinch-running Garrett Stubbs, and Stott was hit by a pitch to load the bases for J.T. Realmuto. The catcher delivered a three-run double that popped out of a diving James Wood’s glove in right field, putting the Phillies ahead, 6-5.
“It’s a special, special group that we have, and we just got to keep feeding off each other like we did tonight,” Marsh said.
Their momentum was temporarily stifled, however, when Orion Kerkering came out for the bottom of the eighth and struggled with command. He issued a five-pitch walk, hit a batter, and then hung a sweeper to Vivas, who capitalized with a three-run homer.
Kerkering managed to limit the damage there, bouncing back somewhat with two strikeouts and a line-out.
“And then,” Mattingly said, “we’re able to do our little bit of magic there.”
WASHINGTON — Every time the Phillies seemed like they generated any sort of spark against Foster Griffin and the Nationals, it was quickly snuffed out.
When Rafael Marchán singled to lead off the third inning, the next three batters hit into outs. When Derek Hill successfully legged out a double to lead off the fifth, the Phillies failed to advance him past third. And when the Nationals committed two throwing errors, the offense didn’t capitalize.
Even when Brandon Marsh homered off Griffin in the seventh — snapping an individual 0-for-14 skid against left-handed pitchers — to finally put the Phillies on the board, the rest of the offense didn’t ignite.
The next two batters struck out swinging to end the inning, accounting for two of 12 total strikeouts the Phillies recorded in the 4-1 rain-delayed loss to the Nationals on Monday.
“Just the mix and match for us, we didn’t seem to do enough with him,” interim manager Don Mattingly said of Griffin. “Got ahead in the count, two strikes, variety of basically breaking balls for the lefties. Kept our righties off-balance for the most part. Just kept pitching.”
First pitch was delayed for 1 hour and 32 minutes due to weather, but after that the Nationals didn’t waste any time. They jumped out early against Tim Mayza, who opened the game for Alan Rangel. James Wood ambushed the lefty for a leadoff double in the first inning, and was driven home by a Dylan Crews single.
Tim Mayza (right) gave up one run in the first inning against the Nationals on Monday.John McDonnell
Luis Garcia Jr. homered off Rangel after he took over in the second, but that was the only earned run he allowed over five total innings. He allowed five hits, struck out four, and walked zero.
“That was good to see,” Mattingly said. “He had a little bit of traffic, but he seemed to work out of it, and it didn’t rattle him at all. Kept throwing strikes, so we like that.”
Rangel was called up ahead of Monday’s game, and Mattingly said the Phillies expect to use him going forward in the fifth starter spot that was vacated last week when Andrew Painter was optioned to triple-A Lehigh Valley.
“First of all, I’m very thankful, and I want to thank the team for giving me this opportunity, thankful to God for being here, and I’ll just focus on pitching the way I’ve been pitching now,” Rangel said through team interpreter Diego D’Aniello. “And focus on keeping it going from tonight.”
Three of Rangel’s four strikeouts came on his changeup. Pitchers generally prefer to keep their off-speed offerings down in the zone to limit hard contact, but Rangel sometimes likes to throw an elevated changeup.
In the fourth, Wood chased a changeup high and inside for an inning-ending strikeout.
“Just wanted to show the pitch at that same eye level for the hitter,” Rangel said. “So if I did that in the same spot [as a fastball], with the difference in the pitch shape and the way it moves, I think that would create a little bit of a difference from when I threw both pitches.”
Marsh was hitless in his first two at-bats against Griffin. The outfielder has been the Phillies’ most consistent hitter this year, but has cooled off a little over the past few days.
The Nationals’ Luis García Jr. (left) hit a homer off Alan Rangel in the second inning.John McDonnell
So, between innings, Bryce Harper approached him. He put his hands on Marsh’s shoulders and gave him a pep talk.
“That’s just him being the leader he is,” Marsh said. “He could see that I may have been overthinking a little bit up there, so he just came and put his arms on me, and put his hands on me, and just told me, ‘Stop thinking so much and go be you.’ So super thankful for that. He definitely brought me back here, and just got me out of my own head, and got me back on track a little bit.”
The next inning, Marsh got a curveball over the middle of the plate and launched it into the Nationals’ bullpen in right field for his 10th home run of the season.
“Moments like that are special, and stuff that I won’t forget,” Marsh said. “So he’s just talking to me from experience, is what he was saying, and just being the leader that he is, and it was a special moment.”
Marsh’s homer in the seventh cut the deficit to 2-1, but the Nationals responded right back. Curtis Mead — a former Phillies prospect whom they traded to the Rays in 2019 for Cristopher Sánchez — hit a two-run homer off Seth Johnson in the bottom of the inning. In total, Washington racked up 12 hits.
And when Griffin exited after 7⅓ innings, the Phillies offense didn’t fare any better against Washington’s bullpen.
Harper hit a leadoff single off Clayton Beeter in the ninth inning, but once again nothing sparked. Alec Bohm immediately grounded into a double play and Justin Crawford struck out to end the game.
Brandon Marsh took to his new spot in the Phillies batting order right away.
The left fielder, whose .324 average is fourth-highest in baseball, has been hitting well no matter where he’s been in the lineup. But Tuesday was his first time starting a game in the leadoff spot since 2022, when he was with the Angels.
First, Marsh worked a four-pitch walk from Marlins starter and South Jersey native Tyler Phillips. Then, in classic leadoff hitter fashion, he stole second base, so that he was in scoring position when Alec Bohm dropped a ball just inside the right field line for a single.
“It was fun,” Marsh said. “I didn’t really think too much of it. Guys told me just to take the same at-bats, same approach. I didn’t really get one to hit in the first at-bat, so that made it easy for me.”
It sparked a three-run first inning for the Phillies that put them ahead for the 8-2 win. Jesús Luzardo posted a quality start to help secure the series victory over Miami.
Marsh’s move to the top of the order is a temporary one, as interim manager Don Mattingly tried something different with his top three spots since Trea Turner was out of the lineup with a bruised wrist. Mattingly said postgame he will go back to his usual order with Turner set to return Wednesday, because he wants to have consistency with his lineup.
“Brandon’s been good everywhere we put him, so we’ll get back to what we do,” Mattingly said.
Marsh kept it going in the second inning, when he and Bohm both hit two-run homers. The Phillies continued to run up the score against Phillips, whose ERA ballooned from 1.86 to 3.10 when his night ended after four innings.
Brandon Marsh is hitting .324 this season.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
“He’s a guy that usually works the ball down,” Mattingly said of Phillips. “If you chase him down, you’re going to be in trouble. We pushed him up. I felt like we pushed him up enough in the zone to get pitches we could do something with.”
Kyle Schwarber, who was batting second and started at first base for the first time since 2021, bashed a solo home run in the fourth for good measure. On defense, Schwarber wasn’t tested much as he didn’t have a ball hit in his direction.
In Monday’s series opener, the bottom half of the Phillies lineup came through in the 7-0 win. On Tuesday, it was largely the top half. Harper drew a key walk and then scored in the first inning on a two-RBI triple from Bryson Stott, who hit fifth.
“It’s just a testament to the guys we have in this clubhouse, and the way we feed off each other,” Marsh said. “It’s not going to be everyone’s night every night. Other guys are gonna have to step up when others don’t.”
Luzardo, meanwhile, shut down Miami for six innings. After a leadoff walk to start the game, Luzardo retired 12 consecutive Marlins until Javier Sanoja singled in the fifth.
“After the first, I feel like I really found a groove, getting back in the zone,” Luzardo said. “Kind of lost it at the beginning, and then made some adjustments, and felt way better.”
After a leadoff walk to start the game, Jesús Luzardo retired 12 consecutive Marlins until Javier Sanoja singled in the fifth. Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
He allowed another single and a walk to load the bases, but wriggled out of the jam by getting Xavier Edwards to ground out. Luzardo also escaped trouble in the sixth after giving up a leadoff double, retiring three straight. Catcher J.T. Realmuto helped him out by successfully challenging a ball call that turned into a strikeout.
Luzardo got ahead in the count often, throwing first-pitch strikes 21 out of 28 times.
“When our offense is rolling like that, it gives, you know, the pitchers a little bit more freedom to attack the zone,” Luzardo said.
Miami finally got to him in the seventh, spoiling the shutout with a two-run home run on a sweeper in the bottom of the zone. Luzardo rebounded with a groundout and consecutive strikeouts to end his outing on a high note.
Tanner Banks and Max Lazar each pitched a scoreless inning in relief. Lazar had been recalled earlier on Tuesday when Brad Keller was placed on the injured list. He allowed a two-out single but then induced a groundout back to the mound, which he tossed over to Schwarber at first to seal it.
Then, for the first time, Schwarber joined the Phillies’ victory handshake line as an infielder.
“I was like, ‘Man, I wonder what they do out here,’” Schwarber said jokingly. “I usually just stroll out there and get J.T. and the pitcher with a nice little high five and things like that. But it was fun. It was nice to be out there.”
