Two teams that are a lock for the playoffs and good enough to suggest this is a World Series preview will battle the next three days at Citizens Bank Park in Philly.
The New York Yankees (62-45, second in the AL East) looked a lot better this weekend, winning two of three games in Boston and staying just a game back of AL East-leading Baltimore.
Meanwhile, the Phillies (65-40, first in the NL East) continue to field the best record in baseball despite struggling recently. They lost two out of three at home to Cleveland this past weekend and have lost four straight series.
Game time is 6:40 p.m. EDT and if you don’t subscribe to NBC Sports Philadelphia or the YES Network, you can watch it on the MLB Network or Amazon Prime (FREE 30-day trial). The MLB Network can be live streamed on ESPN+, fubo TV (add-on, FREE trial), Sling TV (add-on, discount) and DirecTV Stream (add-on, FREE trial and discount).
Two of baseball’s top pitchers will open the series. Luis Gil (10-5, 3.10 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 124 strikeouts) is scheduled to take the ball for the Yankees vs. the Phillies’ Zack Wheeler (10-4, 2.55 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 133 strikeouts).
This is not only the first meeting of the year between these two teams, it’s the first time they have played since 2021.
Both are trotting out reinforcement they picked up over the past few days. The Yankees added outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. from the Florida Marlins while the Phillies are hopeful they bolstered their roster by adding outfielder Austin Hays from the Baltimore Orioles and right-handed relief pitcher Carlos Estévez from the Los Angeles Angels.
New York has played well away from home, with a 35-22 road record.
Aaron Judge has 37 home runs, 84 walks and 96 RBI while hitting .314 for the Yankees. Juan Soto is 15-for-42 with five doubles, a triple, four home runs and eight RBI over the last 10 games.
Philadelphia has been tough at home this year, amassing a 38-18 mark.
- WATCH: NBC Sports Philadelphia or the YES Network, you can watch it on the MLB Network or Amazon Prime (FREE 30-day trial). The MLB Network can be live streamed on ESPN+, fubo TV (add-on, FREE trial), Sling TV (add-on, discount) and DirecTV Stream (add-on, FREE trial and discount).
Bryce Harper has 22 doubles, 24 home runs and 67 RBI for the Phillies. Trea Turner is 9-for-40 with three home runs and five RBI over the last 10 games.

Once the Yankees are finished this series, things at least on paper get a little easier, with nine games at home against the Blue Jays, Angels and Rangers and then seven games against the White Sox and Tigers.
After the Phillies, the Yankees will play 21 of 24 games against teams with losing records.
Meanwhile, the Phillies will play 10 games on the West Coast, all against teams with winning records: three at Seattle, three at the Los Angeles Dodgers and four at Arizona.
Phillies take on the Yankees in first of 3-game series
By The Associated Press undefined
The Philadelphia Phillies start a three-game series at home against the New York Yankees on Monday.
New York Yankees (62-45, second in the AL East) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (65-40, first in the NL East)
Philadelphia; Monday, 6:40 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Yankees: Luis Gil (10-5, 3.10 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 124 strikeouts); Phillies: Zack Wheeler (10-4, 2.55 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 133 strikeouts)
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Phillies -150, Yankees +126; over/under is 9 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Phillies begin a three-game series at home against the New York Yankees on Monday.
Philadelphia has a 38-18 record in home games and a 65-40 record overall. The Phillies have a 46-6 record in games when they scored five or more runs.
New York has gone 35-22 in road games and 62-45 overall. The Yankees have a 49-9 record in games when they have more hits than their opponents.
Monday’s game is the first time these teams match up this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Bryce Harper has 22 doubles, 24 home runs and 67 RBI for the Phillies. Trea Turner is 9-for-40 with three home runs and five RBI over the last 10 games.
Aaron Judge has 37 home runs, 84 walks and 96 RBI while hitting .314 for the Yankees. Juan Soto is 15-for-42 with five doubles, a triple, four home runs and eight RBI over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Phillies: 3-7, .220 batting average, 5.12 ERA, outscored by 11 runs
Yankees: 4-6, .277 batting average, 4.94 ERA, outscored by one run
INJURIES: Phillies: Ranger Suarez: 15-Day IL (back), Luis Ortiz: 60-Day IL (ankle), Spencer Turnbull: 15-Day IL (back), Taijuan Walker: 15-Day IL (index finger), Dylan Covey: 60-Day IL (shoulder)
Yankees: Jose Trevino: 10-Day IL (quadricep), Nick Burdi: 60-Day IL (hip), Giancarlo Stanton: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Anthony Rizzo: 60-Day IL (wrist), Clarke Schmidt: 60-Day IL (lat), Cody Poteet: 15-Day IL (tricep), Ian Hamilton: 15-Day IL (lat), Jon Berti: 60-Day IL (calf), Jonathan Loaisiga: 60-Day IL (elbow), JT Brubaker: 60-Day IL (elbow), Lou Trivino: 60-Day IL (elbow)
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Carlos Rodón pitches Yankees past Red Sox 8-2 in Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s debut
By KEN POWTAK Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) — Carlos Rodón pitched into the seventh inning, Gleyber Torres hit a two-run single in New York’s three-run first and the Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox 8-2 to win a series for just the second time in their last 12 tries. New York took the final two games of the three-game set after blowing a late lead in the opener Friday night. It was the Yankees’ first series win against Boston in three attempts this season. Jazz Chisholm Jr. went 1 for 5 with a single and played center field in his Yankees debut after they acquired him from Miami for three minor leaguers Saturday. Rob Refsnyder and Connor Wong opened the fourth with consecutive homers for the Red Sox, who have lost seven of nine since the All-Star break.
BOSTON (AP) — Carlos Rodón pitched into the seventh inning, Gleyber Torres hit a two-run single in New York’s three-run first and the Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox 8-2 on Sunday night to win a series for just the second time in their last 12 tries.
New York took the final two games of the three-game set against its longtime rival after blowing a late lead in the opener Friday night. It was the Yankees’ first series win against Boston in three attempts this season.
“It’s a gritty series win, especially after that first game,” manager Aaron Boone said. “We’re not all the way where we want to be right now, of course. There’s a lot of fight in (that locker room).”
New York is 12-23 after opening 50-22.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. batted fifth, going 1 for 5 with a single, and played center field in his Yankees debut after they acquired him from Miami for three minor leaguers Saturday. He also stole a base and scored late.
“I was super excited,” he said. “Every kid dreams of being a Yankee, it’s the most famous team in baseball.”
Rob Refsnyder and Connor Wong opened the fourth with consecutive homers for the Red Sox, who have lost seven of nine since the All-Star break.
“I don’t think a stretch of nine games dictates who we are,‘’ manager Alex Cora said.
Aaron Judge had an RBI single for the Yankees after reaching base a career-high six times in their 11-8, 10-inning comeback win Saturday. He homered in each of the first two games of the series.
Rodón (11-7) gave up two runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings, striking out seven and walking one. He’s held the opponent to three or fewer runs in 17 of 22 starts this year.
“The offense starting out with three runs,” Rodón said, “that was a big way to show up, three early runs and just pitch with a lead and attack the zone.”
Oswaldo Cabrera added a two-run double that broke it open against former Yankees reliever Greg Weissert in the eighth.
For the second straight day, the Yankees jumped out with three runs in the first.
But unlike the series’ first two games when the teams combined for 35 runs and leads were squandered late, they made it hold up.
Alex Verdugo opened the game with a double against All-Star Tanner Houck (8-7) and scored on Judge’s single inside first base. Austin Wells hit a ground-rule double before Torres singled to right.
“I’d say my stuff lately hasn’t been as up to par as I’d like it to be,” Houck said. “When that happens, execution is what matters. I didn’t execute as well, but battled.”
New York leads the majors with 78 first-inning runs and is 42-15 when scoring first.
Houck gave up four runs — three earned — in six innings.
Refsnyder and Wong both homered into the Green Monster seats to slice it to 4-2, but Rodón stranded Rafael Devers at third after he tripled with no outs.
Danny Jansen was the designated hitter for the Red Sox, one day after they acquired him from the Toronto Blue Jays for three minor leaguers. He had two singles and a walk.
“That part of it is nice, just kind of right in there, thrown right in there to compete with my new teammates,” he said before the game.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Yankees: Boone said slugger Giancarlo Stanton is in line to be activated from the injured list Monday in Philadelphia. Stanton hasn’t played since straining his left hamstring while running the bases on June 22. … OF Jasson Domínguez went 1 for 5 with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in his second game back from an oblique injury. He also was 1 for 5 on Friday, serving as the DH in both games. ... Chisholm slipped on the bag at second and his face hit the backside of Boston second baseman Romy Gonzalez, but Chisholm stayed in the game.
Red Sox: Cora said 1B Triston Casas will start a rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Worcester. He’s been sidelined since mid-April with a rib strain.
UP NEXT
Yankees: RHP Luis Gil (10-5, 3.10 ERA) starts the opener of a three-game series in Philadelphia on Monday. RHP Zack Wheeler (10-4, 2.55) goes for the Phillies.
Steven Kwan’s solo homer, Jhonkensy Noel’s 3-run shot power Guardians past Phillies 4-3
By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Steven Kwan hit a go-ahead solo homer in the seventh inning after Jhonkensy Noel tied the score with a three-run shot in the fourth, and the Cleveland Guardians rallied for a 4-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Kwan’s 11th homer of the season came off lefty reliever José Alvarado (1-5) and helped Cleveland win two of three at Philadelphia. The Guardians won their 63rd game, tops in the American League, and trail only the Phillies for most in the majors. Kyle Schwarber homered twice for the Phillies off Cleveland rookie Joey Cantillo, a leadoff shot and a two-run homer in the fourth for a 3-0 lead.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Steven Kwan hit a go-ahead solo homer in the seventh inning after Jhonkensy Noel tied the score with a three-run shot in the fourth, and the Cleveland Guardians rallied for a 4-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday.
Kwan’s 11th homer of the season came off lefty reliever José Alvarado (1-5) and helped Cleveland win two of three at Philadelphia. The Guardians won their 63rd game, tops in the American League, and trail only the Phillies (65) for most in the majors.
“Home runs help,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “It’s not part of who we are, necessarily. But we have been able to hit them in big moments.”
Kyle Schwarber homered twice for the Phillies off Cleveland rookie Joey Cantillo, a leadoff shot and a two-run homer in the fourth for a 3-0 lead.
Tim Herrin (4-0) got one out in the sixth. Emmanuel Clase retired Schwarber on a weak grounder as part of a scoreless ninth for his 33rd save. Cleveland’s six relievers tossed one-hit shutout ball and struck out six over the final 5 2/3 innings.
“That’s the beauty of this bullpen,” Vogt said. “They’ve done whatever we’ve asked of them. We needed to go to the pen early today and they came through.”
A potential World Series preview?
Perhaps — though not with the matchup of Cantillo vs. Philadelphia’s Kolby Allard. Neither starter lasted beyond the fourth inning. Allard was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to fill the injured Ranger Suárez’s spot in the rotation.
The Phillies are in a summer funk after they raced to the best start in franchise history. They lost for the sixth time in nine games since the All-Star break and the eighth time in the last 12 games overall.
“We’ve got to straighten some things out, for sure,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “We’ve got to get back to winning series. Get back to winning the first game of the series, which is critical.”
The Phillies gave away “Schwarbomb” beach towels, and fans went wild waving their freebie with each blast. Schwarber’s first was his 40th career leadoff homer, 27th with the Phillies and ninth this season. His second gave him 22 this season, his 29th career multi-homer game and fourth this season.
“That could have easily gotten away from us,” Vogt said.
Not with this bullpen.
After Noel tied it 3-all, Cleveland’s relievers bailed out Cantillo.
With the left-handed Schwarber already 2 for 2 against the left-handed Cantillo, Vogt called for righty Cade Smith in the fourth with two runners and one out. Smith struck out Schwarber, then fanned All-Star shortstop Trea Turner to end the threat.
“We trust every single one of them in any situation,” Vogt said.
In the seventh, Schwarber drew a one-out walk, but reliever Hunter Gaddis retired Bryce Harper on a flyout; the two-time NL MVP slammed his bat in disgust on the second out.
“We’ve had chances to win games, we’ve been in the lead in games and haven’t been able to get the job done,” Harper said. “We’ve just got to turn the page and understand we’ve got a long season to go, and just keep going.”
Cantillo, Cleveland’s No. 10 prospect, allowed three runs and lasted just 3 1/3 innings in his debut. The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder was originally drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 16th round of the 2017 draft. The Guardians acquired him three years later as part of a package of young players for Mike Clevinger. Cantillo’s debut meant all six players acquired in the deal played for Cleveland.
He gave up four hits, walked three, struck out three and threw 75 pitches.
Allard walked none but gave up six hits in four innings in his first start of the season.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Guardians: All-Star 1B Josh Naylor sat out for a second straight game but could return to the lineup on Monday.
UP NEXT
The Guardians head to Detroit for a two-game series. Cleveland sends RHP Tanner Bibee (8-4, 3.50 ERA) to the mound against Tigers RHP Jack Flaherty (7-5, 2.95).
The New York Yankees come to Philadelphia for a three-game series. The Yankees send RHP Luis Gil (10-5, 3.15) to the mound on Monday against Phillies RHP Zack Wheeler (10-4, 2.55).
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