Series Preview: Rays vs Phillies

Thirty-four games down, one-hundred twenty-eight to go

The Tampa Bay Rays snapped out of a four game losing streak and took two out of three against the New York Yankees over the weekend. Entering play on Tuesday, the Rays are now 16-18, sitting in third place in the AL East and are 2.5 games back of the Yankees for the division lead.

The Philadelphia Phillies come into town with a record of 19-15, having won their past three series and are 3 games back of the Mets for the lead in the NL East.

Philadelphia enters play on Tuesday ranked 11th in position player fWAR (4.5), 11th in wRC+ (106), 2nd in pitching fWAR (5.6), and 15th in ERA (3.96). On a team that is stacked with multi-time all-stars, Bryson Stott has garnered the most fWAR thus far in the 2025 campaign. Stott enters play on Tuesday hitting .276/.346/.397 and is among the best base runners in the game. Kyle Schwarber is right there with Stott in fWAR, having already knocked 11 HR and is hitting .242/.397/.558 over 151 PA. The team is filled with above-average hitters and has an excellent starting rotation; however, they are among the worst defensive teams in all of baseball.

Jesus Luzardo has been the best pitcher in the National League early on and Zack Wheeler has been excellent. The main problem for Philadelphia, aside from their defense, has been the bullpen.

Former Ray, Jose Alvarado, has taken over the team’s closer role and is their most dependable reliever. It’s been a struggle to bridge the gap from the rotation to Alvarado, however Matt Strahm and Tanner Banks have been solid.

Frivolities

• The top players by career WAR to have played for the Rays and Phillies:

1. Julio Franco
2. Jose Bautista
3. Pat Burrell
4. Asdrubal Cabrera
5. Grady Sizemore

• The Rays best player offensively against the Phillies all-time (min. 25 PA):
  Carl Crawford: .500/.536/.923 with 2 HR over 28 PA
• The Rays most previous transacation with the Phillies:
  12/11/2024: Rays acquired RHP Mike Vasil from Philadelphia after they selected him from the Mets in the Rule 5 draft
• The Rays first transaction with the Phillies
  11/18/1997: traded OF Bobby Abreu to Philadelphia for SS Kevin Stocker

GAME ONE

Tuesday, May 6th
7:05 PM EDT

RHP Drew Rasmussen vs RHP Zack Wheeler

GAME TWO

Wednesday, May 7th
7:05 PM EDT

RHP Shane Baz vs LHP Chrisopher Sanchez

GAME THREE

Thursday, May 8th
7:05 PM EDT

RHP Ryan Pepiot vs LHP Jesus Luzardo