The Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies are set to square off in a series-deciding rubber match on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at American Family Field in Milwaukee. Both teams have split the first two games of this tightly contested series, with each club sitting atop their respective divisions. The stakes couldn’t be higher as the first pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET, and fans across the country are eagerly tuning in via MLB Network, FDSWI, and NBCS-PH, while local radio coverage is available on 94WIP and WDEL 101.7 FM/1150 AM.
It’s not just another game on the calendar—it’s a potential preview of the National League Championship Series, with the Phillies leading the NL East by 5.5 games over the New York Mets, and the Brewers holding a six-game advantage over the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central. The Brewers, boasting an 86-54 record, have a five-game edge over the Phillies in the loss column and are eyeing the best overall record in the National League as the postseason approaches. Meanwhile, the Phillies, at 80-59, are looking to regain momentum after dropping two of their last three contests.
The pitching matchup is a showcase of two of the league’s most consistent arms this season. For Philadelphia, left-hander Ranger Suárez takes the mound carrying a 10-6 record, a 3.02 ERA, and a 1.17 WHIP across 131 innings. Suárez has been particularly adept at keeping the ball in the park, surrendering just 10 home runs all year. In his last start, he limited the Atlanta Braves to a single earned run over five innings, despite being tagged for 10 hits. He’s also racked up 124 strikeouts and logged 14 quality starts, proving to be a steady presence in the Phillies’ rotation.
On the other side, Milwaukee counters with Freddy Peralta, who’s been nothing short of sensational. The right-hander comes in with a sparkling 16-5 record, a 2.58 ERA, and a 1.07 WHIP over 153.2 innings pitched. Peralta is in the midst of a career-best campaign, and with a few more victories, he could be flirting with the elusive 20-win mark—a feat that would surely put him in the Cy Young conversation if not for the dominance of Paul Skenes this season. Peralta’s ability to rack up strikeouts (he’s favored to go over 7.5 punchouts in this outing) and limit damage has been a cornerstone of Milwaukee’s success.
For the Brewers, the offense has been paced by William Contreras, who enters the contest batting .261 with 26 doubles, 17 home runs, and 76 walks. Contreras has been a thorn in the Phillies’ side, especially against Suárez, going 9-for-22 with a double and three home runs in his career versus the Philadelphia southpaw. This season alone, Contreras is 1-for-3 against Suárez. His knack for getting on base and driving in runs (45 games with at least one RBI in 134 played) gives the Brewers a reliable bat in the heart of the order.
Milwaukee’s Brice Turang has also emerged as a key contributor, sporting a .291 average with 17 homers, 70 RBIs, and 87 runs scored. His speed on the bases—23 steals on 31 attempts—adds another dimension to the Brewers’ attack, while his solid .359 OBP and .450 slugging percentage make him a constant threat.
Philadelphia counters with some heavy hitters of their own. Kyle Schwarber continues to mash, posting a .243/.366/.573 slash line with 49 home runs (second in MLB), a league-leading 119 RBIs, and 96 runs scored. Schwarber’s propensity for the long ball is always a game-changer, and bettors are eyeing the over on 0.5 home runs for him in this matchup. Trea Turner, meanwhile, brings a blend of power and speed, hitting .302 with 14 home runs, 67 RBIs, and 92 runs (ninth in MLB), along with 36 steals (third in MLB). The Phillies’ offense, when clicking, is as dangerous as any in the league.
Both teams have had to navigate injuries. The Brewers are without Rhys Hoskins (thumb), Grant Anderson (ankle), Trevor Megill (flexor strain), D.L. Hall (oblique), Garrett Mitchell (oblique), Logan Henderson (elbow), Shelby Miller (elbow), Connor Thomas (elbow), and Jordan Montgomery (elbow), with Christian Yelich listed as day-to-day with a back issue. The Phillies are missing Daniel Robert (forearm), Jordan Romano (finger), and ace Zack Wheeler (blood clot), the latter on the 60-day injured list.
Recent trends favor the Brewers, who snapped a two-game skid with their win over Philadelphia on Wednesday and now lead the season series 4-1. Every game between these two has been decided by at least two runs, and both games in the current series have gone over their projected totals. The Brewers are slight favorites on the moneyline at -120, with the Phillies at +100 and an over/under set at 7.5 runs. Model projections give Milwaukee a 58% chance to take the finale, with a predicted score of 5-3 in favor of the Brewers.
For those keeping an eye on player props, Contreras is favored to record at least one hit (over 0.5 hits at -222), and there’s intrigue around his odds to homer (+575), drive in a run (+185), or score (+130). Schwarber’s power is always in play, and Peralta’s strikeout prowess is a focal point for bettors.
Fans can catch the action on MLB Network, FDSWI, and NBCS-PH, or stream via Fubo, Hulu, Peacock, and YouTube TV. In the Philadelphia market, NBCSP will provide streaming on their website and app, while MLB.TV and MLB Audio offer options for out-of-market and radio listeners.
As the Brewers and Phillies prepare to battle for the series win, both teams know the implications stretch beyond just one game. With October looming and playoff positioning at stake, every pitch and every at-bat could tip the balance. Will Peralta’s dominance on the mound continue, or can the Phillies’ sluggers break through? The stage is set for a thrilling afternoon in Milwaukee, and baseball fans won’t want to miss a moment as these division leaders clash in what could be a postseason preview.
