Phillies rode a breakout from Jesús Luzardo into an 11-2 win over Seattle, sealing the series sweep with six masterful innings and 12 strikeouts. A first-inning Julio Rodríguez homer aside, Luzardo dominated, emphasizing the back end of Philadelphia’s 13-day stretch with relentless energy. The win showcased a balanced attack, with the Phillies collecting 20 hits overall and breaking the game open in the seventh as Bryant Marsh drew a walk and Stott, Schwarber, and Harper delivered RBI hits to spark a five-run frame. Kyle Schwarber added a 45th homer later, capping a day of multi-faceted offense that underscored Philadelphia’s depth.

The rotation—Luzardo paired with Cristopher Sánchez and Ranger Suárez—allowed just five runs over 19 innings in the series, setting a Phillies record for starters with 34 strikeouts in a three-game set. Rob Thomson praised the series as evidence the lineup can win in multiple ways: power, small-ball, and timely baserunning. The crowd roared for José Alvarado in his return from suspension, and he delivered a clean eighth with a 99.3 mph heater while Cal Raleigh and Eugenio Suárez offered the lone Mariners sparks elsewhere.

Philadelphia’s offense piled up 48 hits in the three-game set—their most in a series since 1999—while Schwarber’s five RBIs pushed his total to a career-high 109. The club’s 20-hit game was supported by timely hits from Stott and Harper, and the club’s relentless approach continued to keep pressure on Seattle throughout. With Zack Wheeler’s blood-clot surgery behind them, Luzardo’s performance helped the Phillies present a formidable playoff case as they seek a top-of-the-rotation role.

Fantasy takeaway: Luzardo’s 12-K outing and sweeper-heavy game plan signal elite upside in unraveling lineups like Seattle’s. The Phillies’ multi-pronged attack—combining power, speed, and small-ball—gives fantasy managers a richer set of weekly/potential postseason options. With a bullpen that flashed resilience on Alvarado’s return and a lineup clicking in waves, expect Philadelphia to be a durable, high-floor contender into October.

Three prime home-run props headline the Aug. 20 MLB slate: Jose Ramirez vs Brandon Pfaadt, Nick Kurtz vs Bailey Ober, and Kyle Schwarber vs Luis Castillo. Ramirez sits in a strong offensive window, carrying a .300+ clip recently and a track record of dingers against right-handers. Kurtz, thriving at .306 with 25 homers, draws a favorable right-hander in Ober who has coughed up plenty of deep balls. Schwarber, pacing the NL with 44 homers, faces Castillo but owns a solid .300 average and power against righty pitching. The bets carry varied upside with Ramirez at +425, Kurtz at +245, and Schwarber at +200, offering distinct paths to fantasy points or DFS value in a day with multiple afternoon starts.

The breakdown centers on matchups and recent form. Ramirez’s potential to exploit a right-hander with a late-season surge is tempered by the Diamondbacks’ bullpen, but his seven-day .300+ rate and 21 HR vs RHP tilt the odds. Kurtz’s breakout year, especially versus right-handers, is underscored by Ober’s homer-prone history (24 allowed in 20 starts, 17 since June 1). Schwarber’s career dominance of Castillo and his NL-leading HR pace add a high-upside element, even if Castillo has been stingy at times. Odds are dynamic, but each pick ties directly to recent production and favorable platoon angles, making them compelling targets for fantasy managers and prop bettors alike.

Seattle rides a 1.5-game gap back to the Astros into a 1:05 PM ET series finale at Citizens Bank Park, with Luis Castillo facing Jesus Luzardo in a high-leverage showdown. Kyle Schwarber carries NL homer vibes into the day, sporting a +200 prop to go deep against Castillo as Philly tries to finish a sweep and keep the momentum rolling. The Phillies’ offense has been imposing, while Castillo has battled long balls this season. Seattle, stung by a modest road slide, needs a strong turn to keep pace in the division race.

Philly’s Luzardo has strung three straight August quality starts and owns a favorable history against Seattle, while Castillo’s 3.48 ERA masks a homer habit, especially to right-handed power. The pick tilts Phillies’ way on the moneyline behind Luzardo’s form and a lineup that’s clicking, particularly in the park edge. For fantasy bettors, Schwarber’s matchup stands out, and Castillo’s risk-reward profile makes this a key dfs stack-versus-ace contest.

The Phillies hold the NL East lead, but their championship run is suddenly thinner with Zack Wheeler sidelined and an uncertain return timeline. The club is navigating a looming free-agent decision with Kyle Schwarber, whose future in Philadelphia hinges on a massive payday that could stretch to five years and around $150 million. Bryce Harper publicly underscored Schwarber’s importance to the clubhouse, leadership, and power, signaling that keeping him is a top priority even as the postseason winds down. Multiple suitors will chase Schwarber, and Philadelphia will push to keep their star in-house. If Schwarber departs, the Phillies face a dramatic shift in their power profile and lineup balance. The next few weeks will shape not only the offseason story but also late-season fantasy outlooks, as Wheeler’s absence could force deeper rotations and alter counting stats for PHI hitters.

J.T. Realmuto delivered the big blow, a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth as the Phillies toppled the Mariners 6-4. Kyle Schwarber opened Philadelphia’s scoring with his 44th homer, and Bryson Stott added his eighth as Bryce Harper contributed with a sacrifice fly. Realmuto reached base three times and drove in three runs, including an RBI single and a catcher’s interference that kept Philly’s offense humming. David Robertson earned the win in relief, while Jhoan Duran closed for his 22nd save. Seattle’s Cal Raleigh slugged his 47th homer and Eugenio Suárez added RBI doubles, but their four-game slide continued.

Bryce Miller was activated for Seattle and logged five innings, allowing four runs on five hits. Cal Raleigh’s power pace remains notable, with his HR total one shy of the catcher-season record. Cristopher Sánchez struck out a dozen in 6 1/3 for Philadelphia, tying a career high. The Mariners got RBI doubles from Randy Arozarena and Suárez, and Seattle’s offense showed flashes, even as the night ended with Philly’s third straight win. Up next, Luis Castillo faces Jesus Luzardo in a matchup that should favor Philly’s lefty-heavy approach.

Realmuto’s performance stands out not only for the bat but for timing, giving Philadelphia a critical cushion in a tight NL race. The Phillies’ ability to win with timely hits, plus their bullpen hold from Robertson and the closing save by Duran, underscores their depth entering the stretch run. Seattle, meanwhile, will lean on continued power from Raleigh and a sharper pitching plan from Miller as they look to snap the skid.