Phillies Head to Sacramento After Sweeping Rockies: Wheeler Faces A’s Rookie Lefty

The Philadelphia Phillies, fresh off a four-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies, are out in Sacramento for the first time to face the Athletics.

The Phillies will be facing a left-handed starter, Jacob Lopez, who got promoted from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

Phillies Lineup vs A’s Lefty Jacob Lopez

With a lefty pitching, Trea Turner is in the leadoff spot, and Bryson Stott is not in the Phillies lineup on Friday.

Behind Turner, Bryce Harper hits No. 2, followed by Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos, JT Realmuto, Alec Bohm, with Edmundo Sosa, Weston Wilson, and Johan Rojas rounding out the starting lineup.

Zack Wheeler Starts Series Opener for Philadelphia

For the Phillies, right-hander Zack Wheeler gets the ball with a record of 5-1 with a 2.67 ERA and an outstanding 0.89 WHIP.

He will face an Athletics lineup that is led by Lawrence Butler, Brent Rooker, Tyler Soderstrom and Jacob Wilson.

Recapping the A’s Dominance in 2024 Matchup

The Athletics won two of three in Philadelphia in 2024, including a 18-3 win on the final day before the All-Star break.

In that game, Butler hit three home runs, Rooker and Seth Brown each had two homers, showing how dangerous the Athletics lineup can be.

On Saturday, it will be Cristopher Sánchez and Jesus Luzardo gets the ball in the series finale on Sunday.

The Phillies currently lead the Mets by two games with the Mets playing the Dodgers this weekend. Meanwhile, the Braves get former MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. back from injury. Acuña Jr. will start in right field on Friday and Saturday and then may get a day off to rest on Sunday, but will be available as a pinch-hitter if he is not in the lineup.