Kyle Schwarber's 37th homer and a hot Trea Turner led the Phillies to a 5-4 win over the White Sox on July 28, 2025. The bullpen held on for a key victory.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a classic Phillies nail-biter on Monday night, but when the dust settled in Chicago, a familiar script had played out: Kyle Schwarber went yard, the bullpen bent but didn't break, and the Phils walked away with a crucial 5-4 victory over the White Sox. The win keeps them hot on the Mets' heels in the division race, but the real story is how the events of one day perfectly encapsulated the team's current state: powerful, resilient, and actively seeking the final pieces for a championship puzzle.
He’s been the heartbeat of our lineup all year.
The offense was clicking from the start, led by a scorching-hot Trea Turner who extended his MLB-best hitting streak to 13 games with a 3-for-5 performance. But the game's defining moment came in the 6th inning. With the game tight, Kyle Schwarber did what he's done 36 times before this season, launching a two-run moonshot that proved to be the game-winner. His 37th homer was a testament to his role as the team's primary power source. Ranger Suárez provided a steady hand on the mound, battling through 6.2 innings and allowing just two earned runs while striking out seven, setting the stage for the late-inning drama.
The high-wire act in the ninth, where José Alvarado loaded the bases before slamming the door for his 21st save, was a stark reminder of the bullpen's recent volatility. Fortunately, help has already arrived. The team activated hard-throwing reliever Orion Kerkering from the IL before the game, a move Manager Rob Thomson called 'huge for us down the stretch.' His return couldn't be timelier, as sources report President Dave Dombrowski is actively scouting the trade market for more relief help, with names like Justin Lawrence and Alex Lange being whispered. As Thomson noted on MLB Network Radio Monday morning, he's focused on using his 'best arms in the highest-leverage spots,' and adding another top-tier arm before the deadline seems to be priority number one.
While the big club fights for playoff position, top prospect Aidan Miller is making a compelling case for his own future in Philly. The 20-year-old infielder smashed two home runs for Double-A Reading on Monday, bringing his season total to an impressive 19. Now slashing .292/.381/.540, Miller is no longer just a name for the future; he's a legitimate candidate for a late-season call-up to provide infield depth. His manager, Al Pedrique, praised his mature approach, a quality the Phillies will surely value as the pressure mounts in August and September.
One game, a multitude of storylines. The Phillies secured a win they had to have, showcasing the offensive firepower that makes them a threat every night. But with the return of Kerkering and the front office clearly on the hunt, the focus is sharp: fortify the bullpen for the stretch run. As the team celebrated with a now-viral dugout dance, the message was clear: the vibes are high, the bats are hot, and the front office is working to ensure this team has everything it needs to turn a fun summer into a memorable October.
