The Philadelphia Phillies have announced the pitching plan for the final series with the Tampa Bay Rays.
After taking the opening game of the series against the Milwaukee Brewers, the Philadelphia Phillies dropped the last two.
Philadelphia still sits in a good spot to get into the playoffs, but their lead as the last wild-card team in the National League is down to just two games. The Arizona Diamondbacks have been on fire of late, slimming this race down to the last series.
It has been a tough stretch of games for this team, with the Phillies having lost 12 of 20 games overall. The Phillies will be hosting the Tampa Bay Rays for a three-game series to close out the regular season.
If the Phillies win one game against the Rays, then the Diamondbacks have to win all three against the San Diego Padres. But if Philadelphia's struggles were to continue, Arizona could slip in past them, with the Diamondbacks owning the tiebreaker.
Philadelphia has some work to do, but they still do control their own destiny with the playoffs. This team will need to take things day by day, getting back to the basics.
Phillies vs Rays Probable Pitchers
Friday, September 25: LHP Cristopher Sánchez vs RHP Freddy Peralta
The Phillies will be turning to their ace in Sánchez to open the series. With Philadelphia desperately needing a win, Sánchez is the guy for this team to hand the ball too.
Sánchez has been lights out all season, posting a 2.93 ERA over 32 starts this year. The left-hander had gotten some Cy Young buzz earlier in the year.
For the Rays, they will send out Peralta, whom the team traded for at the deadline. Since coming to Tampa Bay, Peralta has a 3.60 ERA over nine starts.
Saturday, September 26: TBD vs RHP Griffin Jax
The Phillies have not officially announced a starter for the second game of the series. Philadelphia may be waiting to see if they have clinched a playoff spot before making a decision.
Jax will take the mound for the Rays, having recorded a 3.62 ERA in 33 appearances (22 starts) this season.
Sunday, September 27: RHP Zack Wheeler vs RHP Nick Martinez
In the finale, assuming no changes take place, the Phillies will hand the ball to Wheeler. Wheeler has been great for this team all season, but the hope is that he won't have to pitch much in this game with a postseason berth clinched.
The right-hander has a 3.06 ERA over 27 starts this year. Wheeler could be in line to start during the wild-card series if he doesn't pitch in this game.
For Tampa Bay, Martinez will get the call, putting his 2.94 ERA over 30 starts on the line.
How to Watch Phillies vs Rays
Friday's opener will take place at 3:40 p.m. PT/6:40 p.m. ET from Citizens Bank Park. The game will be broadcast on NBCSP, Rays.TV, and in the MLB app.
Saturday's game will take place at 4:15 p.m. PT/7:15 p.m. ET from Citizens Bank Park. The game will be broadcast on FOX/ FOX ONE, and in the MLB app.
Sunday's finale will take place at 12:05 p.m. PT/3:05 p.m. ET from Citizens Bank Park. The game will be broadcast on NBCSP, Rays.TV, and in the MLB app.
