The Evil Empire is Back: Phillies vs. Yankees Series Preview

After spending the weekend in The Nation’s Capital, the Philadelphia Phillies come home to host a three game series against the New York Yankees. This will be the first time the two teams square off since 2015, and the first time the Yankees have visited Citizens Bank Park in the regular season since 2006.

Despite a crushing loss on Sunday Night Baseball, the Phillies will look to stay hot after going on the road and winning two of three against the division rival Washington Nationals. With that series win, the Phillies now have sole possession of the second and final Wild Card spot, holding a half of a game lead over the Nationals and the Los Angeles Dodgers. While the Yankees are tied for the American League East lead with a 50-25 record, they were swept over the weekend by the Tampa Bay Rays. 

One familiar face the Phillies will see in this series is former Miami Marlin Giancarlo Stanton. Of his 286 career home runs 27 of them have come against the Phillies which is his third highest team he’s hit a home run off of. He has also hit 12 home runs in Citizens Bank Park, the fifth most that he’s hit in any stadium. 

Pitching Matchups

Game 1: Jonathan Loaisiga (1-0, 3.12 ERA, 2.88 FIP) vs. Vince Velasquez (5-7, 4.82 ERA, 3.79 FIP)

Game 2: Luis Severino (11-2, 2.24 ERA, 2.33 FIP) vs. Jake Arrieta (5-5, 3.42 ERA, 3.99 FIP)

Game 3: Luis Cessa (0-0, 3.00 ERA, 2.27 FIP) vs. Zach Eflin (5-2, 3.44 ERA, 2.95 FIP)

Where to Watch/Listen

Game 1

TV: MLB Network, NBCSP+

Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game 2

TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia

Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game 3

TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia

Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Series Notes

• This will be the first time that Giancarlo Stanton has visited Citizens Bank Park since being traded to the Yankees this past offseason. In his MVP season of 2017 with the Miami Marlins, Stanton slashed .200/.263/.429 with two home runs, three RBIs and three walks in 38 plate appearances at Citizens Bank Park.
• In eight career games (seven of which were starts) against the Yankees, Jake Arrieta is 3-1 with a 3.83 ERA.
• Luis Severino, who will pitch for the Yankees in the second game of the series, has a 2.33 FIP, which is currently fourth in the majors.