Philadelphia Phillies DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

The Philadelphia Phillies acquired outfielder Austin Hays on Friday from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for right-hander Seranthony Dominguez and outfielder Cristian Pache. Hays, a former third-round pick of the Orioles in 2016 out of Jacksonville University was in a roster crunch in Baltimore in a crowded outfield picture and was hitting just .255 (40-for-157) with three home runs and 14 RBI this year. The 29-year-old should have more of chance for regular playing time in Philly in left field, at least against left-handed pitchers, in a platoon with Brandon Marsh. Dominguez and Pache will strictly provide depth for the O's at their respective positions as they look to lock up the American League East division for the second straight year. Pache will most likely be a late-inning defensive replacement for his glove in center field.

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner continued his strong 2024 season in Wednesday afternoon's loss to the hosting Minnesota Twins, smacking his 13th home run and stealing his 13th base of the year. Turner crushed a solo homer off Twins right-hander David Festa to left field to ties the game at in the fifth inning of Wednesday's defeat. The 31-year-old fantasy superstar is checking all the boxes this year, hitting .338 (89-for-263) with 13 long balls, 36 RBI, 54 runs scored, and 13 steals for the Phillies. A staggering 10 of Turner's big flies have come over 73 at-bats the month of July.

Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto will get the day off to rest in Wednesday's matinee affair and series finale against the hosting Minnesota Twins. Backup Garrett Stubbs will make the start behind the plate and will hit eighth for the Phillies versus Twins left-hander Steven Okert. It's just a regular breather for Realmuto in a day game after a night game. The 33-year-old recently came off the injured list last Saturday after having surgery on his knee and has gone 2-for-9 with a run scored in three walks in three games in the second half of the season. When active, the three-time All-Star remains a must-start in all fantasy lineups as one of the better offensive-minded catchers in the league on the best team in baseball. Realmuto is currently slashing .259/.315/.403 with seven home runs, 20 RBI and 29 runs scored in 54 games in 2024.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler turned in another strong start in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Twins. Wheeler pitched seven innings, allowing three hits and two walks with seven strikeouts. Unfortunately, his offense couldn't provide support until the ninth inning, leaving him with a no-decision. The 34-year-old is now 10-4 with a 2.55 ERA, a 9.68 K/9 rate, and a 2.69 BB/9 rate in 20 starts and 123 2/3 IP. Fantasy managers will be pleased to see Wheeler bounce back from a relatively pedestrian 2023 season. His next scheduled start will be a tough matchup against the Yankees, but he has proven to be matchup-proof for some time.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh (elbow) is back in left field and is batting sixth for the Phillies on Tuesday against right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson and the hosting Minnesota Twins. Marsh was held out as a precaution in Monday's series opener in Minnesota due to right-elbow soreness, but he's fine now after a day off. Like most left-handed batters, Marsh has been much better against righty arms this year, batting .288 (55-for-191) against them with all nine of his home runs in 75 games played. However, fantasy managers may want to keep him on their benches since he hasn't recorded a hit since before the All-Star game and is hitless in his last 13 plate appearances with a walk and six strikeouts in his last six games. The former second-round pick of the Los Angeles Angels in 2016 has never faced Woods Richardson in his career.