The Philadelphia Phillies are gearing up for a pivotal matchup as they host the San Francisco Giants in the third game of their four-game series at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. With the series tied at one game apiece, all eyes will be on ace Aaron Nola, who seeks to secure his first win of the season against a formidable opponent.
Nola, who has had a rough start to the season, currently holds a record of 0-3 with a 5.51 ERA. This marks the first time in his 11-year career that he has lost his first three starts. His performance has been characterized by inconsistency, as he allowed two home runs in each of his first two outings against the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers. In his most recent start against the St. Louis Cardinals, Nola walked four batters and gave up two runs in a 2-0 defeat.
“He doesn’t have his good fastball yet — with the (strong) finish to it,” said Phillies manager Rob Thomson. “I believe he’ll get that as the weather warms up.” As the season progresses, Nola is hopeful that he can turn his performance around and help the team gain momentum.
The Phillies’ offense has struggled to provide run support for Nola, managing only two runs across his three starts. However, they showed signs of life in Tuesday’s game, where they defeated the Giants 6-4. J.T. Realmuto and Bryce Harper each contributed with two home runs, and Max Kepler and Bryson Stott also added two hits each to the mix.
“I really liked our approach tonight. Four walks. Two strikeouts,” Thomson remarked after the victory. “I thought we played a really good game.” The win was crucial for the Phillies, who had lost four of their previous five games and were looking to avoid dropping their third consecutive series after starting the season with three wins.
On the other side of the diamond, the Giants are looking to bounce back after Tuesday’s loss. San Francisco had been riding a wave of success, winning four of their last five games before the defeat. Justin Verlander, the three-time Cy Young Award winner, was unable to hold onto a 3-2 lead, allowing two runs in the sixth inning, including a go-ahead hit to Alec Bohm.
Robbie Ray, the Giants’ starting pitcher for Wednesday, has been impressive this season, boasting a 3-0 record with a 2.93 ERA. Ray is coming off a challenging outing against the New York Yankees, where he threw 98 pitches in just four innings due to rain-shortened conditions. Despite walking four batters in that game, he still managed to secure a 9-1 victory for the Giants.
“I felt like the weather itself wasn’t that bad, but then the field conditions started to turn a little bit after the second inning,” Ray explained. He will be looking to build on his strong start against a Phillies team that has historically struggled against him, with Ray holding a 4-2 record and a 5.32 ERA in eight career starts against Philadelphia.
As the game approaches, both teams are aware of the stakes. For the Phillies, a win would not only give Nola his first victory of the season but also help them secure their first series win in three attempts. Harper emphasized the importance of focusing on one game at a time, stating, “It’s still early, obviously, but you’ve got to keep going. One game at a time, one inning at a time. But you’ve got to win series and go from there.”
With the game set to start at 6:45 PM EST, fans are eager to see if Nola can rise to the occasion and help propel the Phillies to victory. The matchup promises to be an exciting one, with both teams looking to assert their dominance early in the season.
The Giants (12-5) and the Phillies (10-7) are both vying for a strong position in the standings as the season unfolds. This matchup not only carries implications for the series but also for the broader aspirations of both teams as they navigate the early weeks of the 2025 MLB season.
As the anticipation builds, all eyes will be on Nola and Ray as they take the mound in what could be a defining moment for the Phillies and a chance for the Giants to regroup. With the potential for a thrilling showdown, fans can expect an electrifying atmosphere at Citizens Bank Park.
