Brewers sweep Phillies (5-2 loss Sun, June 1) to start June 2025; Bryce Harper sidelined with elbow injury. Full recap of the tough series for Philadelphia.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Well, Phils fans, it's not the start to June we were hoping for. The Milwaukee Brewers waltzed into Citizens Bank Park and waltzed out with a three-game sweep, capped by a deflating 5-2 loss on Sunday. Adding to the woes, Bryce Harper remains out with that 'super sore' elbow, leaving a significant hole in the lineup and a cloud of uncertainty over the team.
Three straight losses, a star player injured, and a bullpen shuffle – the Phillies are certainly facing some early June turbulence.
The weekend was one to forget, frankly. After Saturday's brutal 17-7 drubbing where Jesús Luzardo's unbeaten streak came to a screeching halt, Sunday's 5-2 loss felt almost inevitable. The Brewers, now riding a seven-game winning streak, just had our number. The dagger on Sunday came from a pinch-hit, two-run double by Jake Bauers, sealing the sweep and sending the Phillies into June on a three-game skid. It's a tough pill to swallow, especially at home.
The big question on everyone's mind: when will Bryce be back? Harper missed his third straight game on Friday and the entire weekend series against the Brewers after being hit by a pitch on his right elbow last Tuesday. He described the injury as 'super sore,' and the team is officially calling him day-to-day. That's not exactly reassuring, is it? Without his bat in the lineup, the offense has looked noticeably less potent, and his absence is keenly felt.
In an effort to find a spark, or perhaps just a fresh arm, the Phillies made a move in the bullpen. Right-handed reliever Jose Ruiz has been designated for assignment. Taking his spot on the roster is right-hander Seth Johnson, recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Ruiz had some shaky outings, and with the team struggling to hold leads or keep games close, a change isn't entirely surprising. We'll see if Johnson can provide some stability.
Amidst the gloom at the big league level, there's a bright spot down on the farm. Justin Crawford, the Phillies' No. 3 prospect, is absolutely raking for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. He just recorded his second straight three-hit game! As the summer temperatures rise, so does Crawford's bat. It's fantastic to see him developing so well, and performances like this certainly get you thinking about his potential arrival in Philadelphia sooner rather than later.
So, here we are. The calendar has flipped to June, and despite still being in a decent position in the standings, the vibes are a bit off. This sweep by the Brewers, especially coming off that blowout loss on Saturday, has definitely raised some concerns. The team needs to regroup, figure out how to generate offense without potentially having Harper for a bit, and get more consistent performances from the pitching staff. It's early, but June is a critical month to build momentum.
June has started on a sour note, but it's a long season. The Phillies need to find answers, and fast, especially with Harper on the mend. All eyes will be on how they respond to this adversity and whether the bullpen changes can spark a turnaround. Keep an eye on Crawford too – a call-up could be on the horizon if he keeps this up!
