The Phillies took two of three from Washington in their season-opening series at Nationals Park, with a 5-1 defeat Sunday preventing a sweep.
Today, the Phillies return for a 3:05 p.m. home opener against the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park. NBC10 and NBC Philly Plus are televising.
Gates open at 12:35.
The Rockies lost two of three in their season-opening series at Tampa Bay. It kicks off a three-game series that will be followed by a visit from the World Series champion Dodgers this weekend.
The Phillies' 54-27 home record last year was the best in baseball and they are certainly built to do that again.
Here are three things to watch:
Who will be on the mound for the Phillies and Rockies?
Cristopher Sanchez enjoyed a breakthrough 2024 in the Phillies’ starting rotation and much is expected this year from the 28-year-old Dominican, beginning with this start.
Sanchez made the National League All-Star team last year. He finished 11-9 with a 3.32 ERA in 31 starts, with two complete games, including a shutout. Sanchez was 10th in the Cy Young Award voting and earned a four-year $22.5 million contract extension, which may end up being quite a bargain for the Phillies.
A strong spring in which Sanchez had a 1.62 ERA in 16⅔ innings and showed improved velocity adds to the anticipation for this start amidst the fanfare of the home opener. The lefty already has great control, with just 84 walks in 333⅔ career innings.
German Marquez, beginning his 10th season in Colorado, gets the start for the Rockies. The 2021 NL All-Star underwent Tommy John surgery in 2023 after four games and pitched just once last year. He does have a 3.74 ERA in eight career starts against the Phillies.
Who will throw out the first pitch at the Phillies' home opener?
Nemours Children’s Health is the game sponsor and last week chose 10-year-old Briar Jones of Harrington, Delaware, ...
