The Philadelphia Phillies will enter their upcoming series with plenty of momentum on their side.
Since Don Mattingly stepped in as interim manager, Philadelphia has been rolling. The Phillies have captured all five of their recent series against the San Francisco Giants, Miami Marlins, Athletics, Colorado Rockies, and Boston Red Sox, posting an impressive 12-4 record during that stretch.
Now, they’ll try to keep things going against a team that has been solid across the board this season. However, Philadelphia is opening the series with a notable adjustment to its lineup.
Adolis Garcia, who has played in all but one game this season, will not start in Game 1 against Pittsburgh. Mattingly opted to give the veteran right fielder a breather following a difficult showing at Fenway Park against Boston.
Phillies make notable outfield changes against Pirates
Garcia struggled throughout the Red Sox series, going hitless in 12 at-bats over three games while striking out seven times. Although several Phillies hitters had trouble at the plate, Garcia is the player getting the night off as the series against Pittsburgh begins.
The veteran has started 41 of Philadelphia’s 44 games in right field this season. Felix Reyes has made two appearances there, while Brandon Marsh handled the position once previously. For the third time in 2026, Marsh will start in right field, batting fifth in the lineup.
With Marsh shifting positions, Edmundo Sosa will make only his second start of the year in left field and will hit seventh. Justin Crawford rounds out the outfield alignment, taking over center field duties while batting eighth.
Garcia isn’t the only regular absent from the lineup. J.T. Realmuto will also get the night off, with Garrett Stubbs starting behind the plate and batting ninth.
Trea Turner will lead off while playing shortstop as he looks to break out of an extended slump.
Kyle Schwarber slots into the No. 2 spot as the designated hitter. Despite still trying to clean up certain areas of his game, Schwarber’s power surge has remained intact, as he has homered in six of the last seven games with seven total long balls during that span.
Bryce Harper will bat third while handling first base duties, followed by third baseman Alec Bohm in the cleanup spot. Marsh hits fifth, while Bryson Stott bats sixth after delivering several clutch performances recently.
Sosa, Crawford, and Stubbs round out the final three spots in the order. Veteran Aaron Nola gets the start on the mound for Philadelphia and will face the red-hot Braxton Ashcraft.