PHILADELPHIA -- Edmundo Sosa and Kyle Schwarber emerged as the heroes in the Philadelphia Phillies' home opener on Monday, March 31, 2025, leading the team to a convincing 6-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies at a sold-out Citizens Bank Park. The game, played in pleasant 77-degree weather, showcased the Phillies' offensive depth and pitching prowess.
The Phillies fell behind early when Hunter Goodman of the Rockies hit a one-out homer in the sixth inning, giving Colorado a 1-0 lead and chasing Phillies starter Cristopher Sanchez from the mound. Despite the setback, Sanchez delivered a strong performance, allowing just four hits while striking out seven and walking two over five innings.
However, the game turned in favor of the Phillies in the seventh inning. With two outs, Sosa delivered a clutch two-run double that scored Bryson Stott and Trea Turner, who had walked earlier in the inning. This pivotal hit shifted the momentum, igniting the crowd of 44,595 fans.
Moments later, Schwarber stepped up and blasted a two-run homer to center field, putting the Phillies ahead 4-1. The excitement didn’t stop there, as offseason acquisition Max Kepler added a solo home run in the eighth inning, followed by Nick Castellanos, who also went deep, extending the lead to 6-1.
Jose Alvarado dominated on the mound in the eighth, striking out three batters before handing the ball to newcomer Jordan Romano, who closed out the game in the ninth. The Phillies' pitching staff, which finished the 2024 season with a seventh-ranked ERA of 3.81, continued to impress with Sanchez leading the charge.
"I’ve talked about it many times, how far this kid’s come in the last four or five years," said Phillies manager Rob Thomson, praising Sanchez's evolution from a hard-throwing pitcher struggling with command to a reliable starter who finished 10th in the Cy Young voting last season. "Now the velocity is going back up. It’s pretty interesting. I don’t think I’ve seen that type of evolution before." Sanchez, who signed a four-year, $22.5 million extension, had a stellar spring training, posting a 1.62 ERA across 16 2/3 innings.
This victory marks a promising start for the Phillies as they aim to contend for the World Series once again. After finishing the previous season with a 95-67 record, including a remarkable 54-27 at home, the Phillies are looking to build on that success. They are currently considered one of the favorites in the competitive NL East.
Despite the win, the Phillies were without Trea Turner, who was sidelined due to back spasms, but Sosa filled in admirably at shortstop, contributing significantly with two doubles and three RBIs. J.T. Realmuto also returned to the lineup after missing the previous game due to a bruised foot.
The Rockies, on the other hand, are projected to struggle this season, with many analysts forecasting them as one of the worst teams in baseball. Their lineup struggled mightily in their season-opening series against the Tampa Bay Rays, hitting just .220 and striking out 29.2% of the time.
German Marquez, the Rockies’ starting pitcher, faced a tough lineup and was unable to keep the Phillies' bats at bay, allowing four runs on six hits over six innings. Marquez, who has battled injuries in recent seasons, will need to find consistency if the Rockies hope to improve on their dismal 61-101 record from 2024.
The Phillies’ offense, which ranked eighth in wRC+ last season, showed signs of life in this game, with contributions from several key players. Kyle Schwarber, who had a strong opening weekend, continues to be a vital part of the lineup, hitting .385 with two home runs and four RBIs early in the season.
As both teams look to establish their identities early in the season, the Phillies will aim to carry this momentum into their next matchup, while the Rockies will seek to regroup and find their footing against a formidable opponent. The series continues as the teams face off again, with fans eagerly anticipating how the young Rockies will respond to this tough loss.
Overall, the Phillies' home opener was a resounding success, showcasing their potential for the 2025 season. With a strong pitching rotation and a potent lineup, they look ready to challenge for a championship.
The game started at 3:05 p.m. EDT and was broadcast on NBC Sports Philadelphia, providing fans with an exciting start to the baseball season.
