Phillies Phocus: The Houston Astros come to Philly

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 22: Cameron Rupp #29 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with Odubel Herrera #37 at home plate after hitting a three-run home run in the eighth inning during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citizens Bank Park on July 22, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Brewers won 9-8. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 22: Cameron Rupp #29 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with Odubel Herrera #37 at home plate after hitting a three-run home run in the eighth inning during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citizens Bank Park on July 22, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Brewers won 9-8. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
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Phillies
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 22: Cameron Rupp #29 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with Odubel Herrera #37 at home plate after hitting a three-run home run in the eighth inning during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citizens Bank Park on July 22, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Brewers won 9-8. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

The Phillies are set to welcome in one of baseball’s best teams. Here are a few players to focus on during this three game series.

Two series wins in a row. What is happening, people? The Phillies offense has been ignited by surges from some of the younger pieces on the roster. There really is no better time for that to happen than with one of the best teams in baseball coming into town. The Phillies are hoping to continue their success against the Houston Astros.

Ryan Braun only played in two of the three games because of some minor injuries. However, he made his time worth it on Saturday night. Braun was the catalyst to his team’s 9-8 victory. He helped jumpstart the Brewers before being taken out of the game and having to watch the Phillies push to a comeback. In the series, the leftfielder was not bothered by the booing as he went 4-7 with 5 RBI, a walk, and three runs scored. He did not strike out once in the three game series.

Phils Grade: C-

Brent Suter did exactly what most pitchers facing them for the first time do. He gave them fits. For his six innings on Saturday, the Phillies could not find a way to get to him. Outside of an Odubel Herrera homer, the Phils could not muster much of an offensive attack. He allowed only five hits, walked no one, and struck out five. The start lowered the lefty’s ERA to 2.86 as he takes his role in the rotation.

Phils Grade: D

Schedule