The Philadelphia Phillies (76-54) return home to host the Houston Astros (70-60) for a three-game series beginning Monday night at Citizens Bank Park. After salvaging their six-game road trip with a dominant weekend in Kansas City, the Phillies will look to keep it rolling and find some consistency in their game.
After a disastrous outing by Taijuan Walker on Friday, the Phillies finished their trip 3-3 with a pair of big offensive games, pummeling the Royals by scores of 11-2 and 11-3. Ranger Suarez returned on Saturday and threw five efficient innings, backed by J.T. Realmuto's seven-RBI day at the plate. Garrett Stubbs had a game on Sunday to back Kolby Allard, going 4-for-4 and finishing a home run shy of the cycle.
The Phillies still hold a 6.0-game lead in the NL East and trail the Los Angeles Dodgers by 1.5 games heading into action this week. Unfortunately, things aren't going to get any easier for the Fightins, with the AL West-leading Astros coming to town.
The Astros come into the series 5-5 in their last 10 games after dropping a three-game series to the Boston Red Sox and splitting a four-game series with the Baltimore Orioles. The perennial playoff-bound Astros lead their division by 4.5 games.
Phillies vs. Astros probable pitchers, August 26
- Zack Wheeler (12-6) will start for the Phillies to open the series. The veteran right-hander has a 2.73 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in 25 starts. The ace of the staff has been exceptional this month, going 2-1 in four starts with a 1.73 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 31 strikeouts in 26 innings.
- Ronel Blanco (9-6) will counter for the Astros. The 30-year-old right-hander has a 3.14 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 24 starts. He has a 4.34 ERA in four August starts after allowing five runs on six hits in 3 2/3 innings in his last outing against the Red Sox.
Philadelphia Phillies starting lineup, August 26
- 1. DH Kyle Schwarber
- 2. SS Trea Turner
- 3. 1B Bryce Harper
- 4. 3B Alec Bohm
- 5. RF Nick Castellanos
- 6. 2B Bryson Stott
- 7. C J.T. Realmuto
- 8. CF Brandon Marsh
- 9. LF Austin Hays
Houston Astros starting lineup, August 26
- 1. 3B Alex Bregman
- 2. LF Yordan Alvarez
- 3. C Yainer Diaz
- 4. SS Jeremy Peña
- 5. DH Jon Singleton
- 6. 1B Victor Caratini
- 7. RF Ben Gamel
- 8. CF Jake Meyers
- 9. 2B Shay Whitcomb
What channel is the Philadelphia Phillies game on today?
- Game time: 6:40 p.m. ET.
- NBCSP will have the Phillies broadcast.
- The Astros broadcast will be on Space City Home Network.
- FS1 will carry a national broadcast.
How do I stream the Philadelphia Phillies game today?
How can I listen to the Philadelphia Phillies game today?
- The Phillies broadcast will be on 94 WIP and WTTM 1680.
- Astros fans can tune into the game on KBME 790 AM/94.5 FM HD-2, TUDN 93.3 / KLAT 1010.