Overview

• The Philadelphia Phillies host the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday to kick off a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park, marking their first meeting of the 2025 season.
• Phillies left-hander Jesus Luzardo (3-0, 1.73 ERA) faces off against Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly (3-1, 4.41 ERA) in the series opener.
• Arizona's bullpen faces challenges with closers A. J. Puk and Justin Martinez sidelined due to injuries, prompting manager Torey Lovullo to adapt late-game strategies.
• The Phillies are also managing injuries, with outfielder Brandon Marsh (hamstring) and pitcher Ranger Suarez (back) on the injured list.
• Both teams hold identical 17-14 records, with the Phillies excelling at home (11-5) and the Diamondbacks showcasing strong road performance (9-6).