The Milwaukee Brewers are concluding their final road trip of the 2026 regular season this week with a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Both teams are virtually locked into the playoffs, with the Brewers boasting the best record in baseball at 98-58, while the Phillies sit at 86-70, holding the last NL Wild Card spot by four games over the Arizona Diamondbacks with six games remaining. The last meeting between these clubs came in June in Milwaukee, where the Brewers won two of three games, including two shutout victories.
Milwaukee’s injured list features several relievers—Grant Anderson and Bryse Wilson are on rehab assignments, while Brian Fitzpatrick and Angel Zerpa are out for the season. For starters, Quinn Priester is out for the year, and Brandon Woodruff is a possible late postseason return. Philadelphia is missing pitchers Jesús Luzardo (hoping to return for the playoffs), Caleb Kilian, and Brad Keller, all out for the season. Outfielders Johan Rojas and Adolis García are also sidelined for the year, with right-hander Jonathan Bowlan day-to-day due to a mild groin strain.
Offensively, Jake Bauers and Jackson Chourio spearhead the Brewers, with Brice Turang nearing a 20-20 season—just one home run and one stolen base away. William Contreras has been a vital contributor recently, and Joey Ortiz has led offensively in the second half. Other key contributors include Andrew Vaughn, Garrett Mitchell, Cooper Pratt, Luis Lara, and Christian Yelich, supported by depth players like Gary Sánchez, David Hamilton, Sal Frelick, and Bo Naylor. Collectively, the Brewers hit .258 with a .341 on-base percentage and a .403 slugging percentage (.744 OPS, 4th in MLB), tallying 149 homers (tied 28th), 802 runs (2nd), and 156 steals (5th).
For Philadelphia, Kyle Schwarber leads the majors with 45 homers, driving in 95 runs and walking 101 times, just behind Bryce Harper’s 104 walks. Harper has 28 homers, and Trea Turner is poised for a 20-20 season with 19 homers and 21 steals. Other contributors with double-digit homers include Brandon Marsh, Alec Bohm, J.T. Realmuto, and Bryson Stott. Recent acquisition Luis Arraez has hit .285 since joining the team, and Justin Crawford rounds out the starting lineup. Bench players are Bryan De La Cruz, Derek Hill, Garrett Stubbs, Edmundo Sosa, and Rafael Marchán. Overall, the Phillies have a .241 batting average, .312 OBP, .397 slugging (.709 OPS, 22nd), with 179 homers (tied 14th), 697 runs (tied 13th), and 102 steals (15th).
Milwaukee’s bullpen features closer Trevor Megill, setup man Abner Uribe, and key relievers Aaron Ashby, Chad Patrick, and DL Hall. While Ashby has the highest ERA among the group at 3.27, Megill leads the team with 29 saves. Shane Drohan and Kyle Harrison have returned to relief roles after primarily starting the year, and recent acquisitions JoJo Romero and Antonio Senzatela also bolster the bullpen. Colton Gordon, acquired in July but yet to make an appearance, is another arm awaiting his Brewers debut. The pitching staff boasts a 3.54 team ERA (2nd in MLB), including a 3.64 ERA from starters (5th) and 3.41 ERA from relievers (4th), striking out 1,492 batters (2nd) over 1,393 2/3 innings.
Philadelphia’s bullpen is led by José Alvarado, who has appeared in 65 games but carries a 5.02 ERA over 57 1/3 innings. Closer Jhoan Duran boasts a strong 1.76 ERA with 79 strikeouts in 56 1/3 innings, having converted 32 of 34 save chances. Jonathan Bowlan, Tim Mayza, and Chase Shugart fulfill important roles, whereas Brooks Raley and some others like Tanner Banks and Max Lazar have struggled. Alex McFarlane has been a bright spot with a 2.35 ERA in 15 1/3 innings. The Phillies hold a 4.00 team ERA (11th), including a 3.79 ERA for starters (7th) and a 4.34 ERA in the bullpen (21st), striking out 1,510 batters (1st) over 1,384 1/3 innings.
Probable Pitchers
Tuesday, September 22: Dustin May (7-9, 4.61 ERA) vs. Zack Wheeler (13-5, 2.99 ERA)
May has been inconsistent this season but recently pitched six scoreless innings against Cincinnati. He will be pitching on short rest after a shorter outing against Baltimore. Wheeler, a veteran right-hander once nearly traded to Milwaukee, is enjoying a strong season with a 2.99 ERA and 177 strikeouts, having dominated his recent starts and owning a 5-2 record with a 2.41 ERA in 11 career starts vs. Milwaukee.Wednesday, September 23: Logan Henderson (10-3, 2.51 ERA) vs. Aaron Nola (7-10, 4.49 ERA)
Henderson has emerged as Milwaukee’s No. 2 starter, delivering an impressive rookie campaign. After a solid run, he’ll face the Phillies for the first time. Nola, Philadelphia’s longtime starter, has struggled with home runs this year but has been better lately, posting a 1.86 ERA over his last seven starts. He holds a 7-3 record with a 3.22 ERA in 16 career outings against Milwaukee.Thursday, September 24: TBD vs. TBD
Neither team has named starters for the final game, but the Brewers may turn to Colton Gordon, who’s yet to make his debut for Milwaukee but has MLB experience with Houston. Philadelphia might rely on José Urquidy, recently acquired and effective in a recent outing. Urquidy has yet to face the Brewers in his career.
Broadcast Information
All games will be televised on Brewers TV and broadcast on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee).
Prediction
The Phillies have more on the line, battling the Cubs and Padres for home-field advantage in the NL Wild Card series, whereas the Brewers are focused on securing the top overall seed. Despite Philadelphia’s greater urgency, their recent inconsistency suggests the Brewers might take two of the three games.
Fan Take:
This series is crucial not only because it sets the stage for the playoffs but also because it pits two very competitive squads with contrasting strengths. Baseball fans should watch closely as the Brewers’ quest for the best record faces off against the Phillies’ fight for postseason positioning—matchups like this showcase the drama and depth of talent that make the sport so thrilling.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
