Sep 10, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (L) and outfielder Max Kepler (R) high five after a victory against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
PHILADELPHIA — Citizens Bank Park had a playoff atmosphere this week, as the Philadelphia Phillies (87-60) hosted the New York Mets (76-71) for the final time this regular season. After being swept in The Big Apple a little over two weeks ago, Philly returned the favor – this time in a four-gamer, extending their lead in the National League East to a whopping 11 games.
Now, with their sites set on securing the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye in the playoffs, they welcome the Kansas City Royals (74-73) to town for a weekend three-game series to close their current homestand. With a series on the horizon against the Los Angeles Dodgers, they will look to build upon their current cushion for that seeding against a struggling Kansas City team that is still finding itself after not living up to lofty preseason expectation.
A new face will debut for the Phillies tonight, and the starting pitching hopes switching to a six-man rotation will get them the extra rest and health they need for a strong postseason run. The offense will try and stay hot despite not having two starters in the lineup. Will the fiery spirit shown inf the Mets series carry over? Or will there be an emotional dump? Let’s break down the pitching matchups.
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Walker Buehler (0) pitches against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Fenway Park. Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
The first game of the series features the debut of new starting pitcher, Walker Buehler. The veteran right-hander spent the entirety of the season with the Boston Red Sox before being released on August 29. While he has struggled during the last two regular seasons, Buehler is a seasoned playoff performer and brings some additional grit to a team already filled with it.
His debut with the Phillies allows the team to move to a six-man rotation, giving their starting staff so much-needed extra rest. How he performs during the regular season will dictate what his role will be in October. Tonight, he faced a Royals lineup that has hit right handed pitching much better than left-hande pitching.
Player to watch are Mike Yastrzemski and Vinnie Pasquantino. Yastrzemski has the same number of plate appearances against Buehler as the rest of the Royals combined. He is 6-for-27 with a double and triple against him. More importantly, 16 of his 24 hits against righties in a Royals uniform have gone for extra bases, giving him a .559 slug and .914 OPS against RHP since joining Kansas City. Pasuantino’s slugging percentage is 150 points higher against righties (.506) as opposed to lefties (.358).
On the flip side, Lorenzen faces his former team for the first time since his short stint with the Phillies back in 2023. His splits are close to even, but the Phillies offense kills right-handed pitching. Their .767 OPS against RHP is sixth in the majors, their .263 batting average is good for second.
Kyle Schwarber has handled Lorenzen with relative ease, getting 22 at-bats against him. He is 8-for-22 with two doubles and two homers vs. his old teammate. Two of J.T. Realmuto‘s three hits against Lorenzen were doubles, as well. The right-handed pitcher has struggled in August and so far in September, and Philly will try to ensure that continues.
Game 2: RHP Ryan Bergert (2-2, 3.48 ERA) vs. RHP Taijuan Walker (4-8, 4.03 ERA)
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Taijuan Walker at American Family Field. Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
Bergert is a rookie who spent the first half of the season with the San Diego Padres, pitching well in a swing role. Now he is firmly in the Royals rotation, and things have not come as easy. Since coming to his new club, Bergert has recorded a 4.17 ERA – up from the 2.78 he had in SD. That is heavily influenced by his last outing – an 11 hit, eight run drubbing at the hands of the Cleveland Guardians. That is his only appearance of the season where he surrendered more than three runs, and his only with Kansas City giving up more than two.
His splits are similar, but lefties do seem to hit Bergert more so look for the normal Schwarber-Harper-Marsh combo to do some damage.
Walker is still going strong as a starter, but similar to his for on Saturday – his last few outings paint a different picture. In his first eight starts after re-entering the starting rotation back on July 8, Walked has a steadying force – recording a 3.19 ERA and pitching even better on the road. In his last three outings, that ERA jumps to 7.80! Not ideal, but a reminder as to why going to a six-man rotation should help the entire staff.
Kansas City’s offense has a combined .275/.351/.362 slashline against Walker. While the batting average is higher, the slugging percentage shows me that he has limited the damage against Royals hitters in the past. He will need to shine to keep his playoff roster hopes alive.
Game 3: LHP Noah Cameron (7-7, 3.00 ERA) vs. RHP Aaron Nola (4-8, 6.24 ERA)
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola (27) delivers a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Citizens Bank Park. Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
Rookie Noah Cameron has looked great for Kansas City this season. He looks like a long-term piece of their rotation, but Philadelphia will still stack the lineup with righties to try and win the game. Opposing right-handers have a .694 OPS against him. Left-handers have just a .489 OPS.
Expect manager Rob Thomson to load all his right-handed platoon players in the lineup. Watch Nick Castellanos, as he has a hit in five straight games and is hitting .286 with a walk rate over 10 percent since joining the outfield platoon/rotation situation. Harrison Bader did face him earlier this season and went 1-for-2, so he could spread some insights to the team before Sunday.
Philly will look to keep the good times rolling and win series No. 32 of the year before they head to Los Angeles for a pivotal series against the Dodgers. Hopefully for them, they can add to the cushion they currently hold over L.A. for the first-round bye in the National League.