Just over a week ago, the Philadelphia Phillies left St. Louis with plenty of questions after being outscored 14-7 by the Cardinals across a three-game series. After dropping the final two games of that matchup, Philadelphia fell 9.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves in the National League East, while its position in the Wild Card race suddenly looked far less secure.
Now, everything feels different.
The Phillies have completely flipped the script, and they will look to continue their turnaround when the Cardinals return to Philadelphia for a three-game series this weekend.
A BRAND-NEW PHILLIES TEAM
Since appearing in the Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa, the Phillies have looked like a completely different club. Philadelphia followed that memorable night with sweeps of the Minnesota Twins and Miami Marlins, building a season-high six-game winning streak.
The Phillies enter the series with a 70-58 record, putting them 12 games over .500 for the first time since 2025. They currently hold the second National League Wild Card spot and have created some breathing room, leading the San Diego Padres by two games.
Perhaps even more importantly, Philadelphia has trimmed Atlanta’s NL East lead to five games.
With 34 games remaining and seven of those coming against the Braves, the division race is far from over. If the Phillies can continue playing at this level, a division comeback is certainly within reach.
THE OFFENSE HAS FOUND A NEW IDENTITY
One of the biggest reasons for Philadelphia’s turnaround has been a noticeable change in its approach at the plate.
The Phillies have traditionally been willing to accept strikeouts in exchange for power. However, that philosophy has shifted in August. Philadelphia has struck out just 107 times this month, the fewest in Major League Baseball.
While the Phillies have also produced fewer home runs than any other team during August, they have compensated by getting on base and creating more opportunities.
Philadelphia has drawn a league-high 90 walks and leads the National League with 97 runs scored this month.
Bryson Stott has been at the center of that change.
Stott recently saw his career-best 19-game on-base streak come to an end after going 0-for-4 on Wednesday. During the streak, however, he hit .344 with a .988 OPS while drawing 21 walks and striking out only four times.
That combination of patience and production has been remarkable. According to the Phillies, Stott’s 21 walks and four strikeouts during the streak had not been accomplished since Albert Pujols did it from April to May 2008.
Stott has also posted a .487 on-base percentage in August, second in MLB behind teammate Bryce Harper.
Harper has been even better in that category, owning a .518 OBP and 25 walks this month. His approach has been a major reason the Phillies have consistently put pressure on opposing pitchers.
THE CARDINALS ARE NO PUSHOVER
Although Philadelphia has been playing its best baseball of the season, the Cardinals are also entering the series with plenty of confidence.
St. Louis has scored 95 runs in August, sitting just behind Philadelphia among National League teams. The Cardinals have lost only one series this month and have won five of their last eight games since hosting the Phillies.
The Cardinals are well behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central, sitting 13.5 games out of first place. Their focus has therefore shifted toward the Wild Card race.
St. Louis enters the weekend just 2.5 games behind San Diego for the third Wild Card spot.
Jordan Walker will be one of the players to watch. After defeating Kyle Schwarber in the 2026 Home Run Derby, Walker returns to Philadelphia while carrying a .333 batting average and .967 OPS in August.
Alec Burleson has also been a major contributor, hitting six home runs this month while posting a 1.077 OPS.
PHILLIES’ ROTATION WILL BE TESTED
Jesús Luzardo is scheduled to start Friday night’s series opener while wearing the Phillies’ City Connect uniforms.
Luzardo has been one of Philadelphia’s most dependable pitchers this season, posting a 3.23 ERA with 185 strikeouts, the sixth-most in baseball.
Andrew Painter is expected to take the mound Saturday. Painter allowed two runs over 5.1 innings against St. Louis on August 10, but he struggled in his most recent outing against Minnesota, surrendering five earned runs in five innings.
Cristopher Sánchez will then get the ball for Sunday’s afternoon finale.
Sánchez shut down the Cardinals earlier this month, allowing four hits and no runs while striking out seven over six innings. Although he allowed eight hits and three walks against Miami on Monday, he limited the Marlins to one run over six innings.
Sánchez enters the weekend with a 16-4 record, the most wins in baseball, while ranking among MLB leaders in innings pitched.
The Cardinals had not officially announced their starters at the time of publication, although Hunter Dobbins, Andre Pallante and Kyle Leahy appeared to line up for the three games.
PLAYERS’ WEEKEND ADDS ANOTHER TWIST
This weekend also marks MLB Players’ Weekend, giving fans an opportunity to see their favorite Phillies players take the field with personalized equipment.
More importantly, Philadelphia has a chance to prove that its recent surge is more than just a hot streak.
The Phillies have gone from fighting to stay alive in the Wild Card race to legitimately challenging for the NL East. Now, with St. Louis standing in their way, they have another opportunity to keep the momentum rolling.
The first pitch for Friday night’s series opener is scheduled for 6:40 p.m.
A week ago, the Phillies were searching for answers.
Now, they look like a team ready to make a serious postseason push.
