The bad news: Paul Skenes vs. the Phillies, which would’ve been a fun matchup regardless of the calendar, got axed on Monday. The good news: The Phillies will have some “guys” of their own toe the rubber this week.
Cristopher Sánchez’s spring 2025 debut, which was supposed to come opposite Skenes, will come Tuesday instead, with Zack Wheeler and Jesús Luzardo shortly behind him on Thursday and Friday, respectively — as noted by Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
It’ll be the first time we get to see Luzardo, who’ll figure to be the No. 5 starter to open the regular season, in a Phillies uniform. Luzardo compiled a 3.48 ERA across 50 starts the two years before last season and could be a top-half-caliber starter if the Philadelphia version of Luzardo at all resembles that one. Friday will be his first game action since June 16 of last year; injuries derailed his season and wiped out the second half entirely.
He’ll face the Red Sox in Clearwater. Wheeler will face the Yankees, also in Clearwater.
Wednesday is worth tuning in to as well, with Joe Ross and Seth Johnson slated to pitch. Ross will occupy a swingman role with the Phillies, likely beginning the season in the bullpen but probably making a spot start at some point when the need arises. Johnson will likely open the season in Triple-A but makes for rotation depth, with a decent amount of upside.
The big thing this time of year, of course, is health, and though there isn’t a debut date set yet for Aaron Nola or Ranger Suárez, it seems the Phillies are 5-for-5 for now as far as their projected starting rotation goes. They should be thankful.
Each of this week’s games will be televised in some fashion. Here’s how to watch them.
