Phillies Max Kepler

Bombs Away: Phillies mash 3 late homers to win Home Opener in front of 45,000 rowdy fans

If you stumbled into Citizens Bank Park late Monday afternoon with a belly full of beers and hot dogs, you might’ve thought the Phillies had just won the World Series based on the noise.

But no, this was just Game 4 of 162. And still — it felt like a statement.

Trailing 1-0 in the seventh, the Phillies once again did what they’ve done best early in 2025: torching bullpen arms and sending CBP into a frenzy. A four-run seventh and two-run eighth — capped off by three monster homers — powered the Phils to a 6-1 comeback win in front of a sellout crowd just shy of 45,000.

Phillies’ bats have dominated bullpen pitching through 4 games >>

That’s One Way to Say “Welcome Home”

Brandon Marsh didn’t start. Trea Turner only got one at-bat. Bryce Harper didn’t homer. And yet the Phillies sent the Rockies packing thanks to late-game fireworks from checks notes Edmundo Sosa, Kyle Schwarber, Max Kepler and Nick Castellanos.

Sosa broke the game open with a two-run double off lefty Scott Alexander in the seventh, Schwarber launched his third nuke of the year to dead center, and Kepler and Castellanos went back-to-back in the eighth like it was Home Run Derby.

Say it with us: it takes a village.

“We always preach that it’s not gonna be one person, two people, three people. It takes a village to go where we need to go,” Schwarber said postgame.

Right now, that village is raking against opposing bullpens. The Phils are hitting .386 with 12 extra-base hits against relievers so far — compared to a measly .224 clip vs. starters. Not ideal for opposing managers with shaky middle relief. Phillies hitters are basically sitting in the weeds waiting to strike the moment the starter exits.

Max Kepler: Underrated Addition, Early Return on Investment

Don’t look now, but Max Kepler might be the best bat in the lineup through four games.

The veteran outfielder is slashing .364/.462/.857 with a 1.318 OPS, adding a home run in Monday’s win. Kepler’s always had pop, but his early-season plate discipline and ability to hit to all fields have made him a sneaky-impact addition to this lineup.

He’s fit in seamlessly and is already showing why the Phillies took a flyer on him this offseason. If he keeps this up, it could be one of the best under-the-radar moves in baseball.

Cristopher Sánchez Keeps Impressing

On the mound, Cristopher Sánchez backed up his big spring with a strong home debut. His only blemish? A solo shot by Hunter Goodman in the sixth.

Otherwise, Sánchez was filthy. He averaged 96.5 mph on the fastball — a full two ticks higher than last season — and carved through Colorado’s lineup with a devastating changeup.

That added velocity? Not a fluke. Sánchez bulked up this offseason and his spring numbers backed it up. Monday felt like confirmation that he’s fully leveled up.

Jose Alvarado came in throwing fireballs in the eighth — 16 sinkers at an average of 100.0 mph — and struck out the side just for fun. Jordan Romano handled the ninth with ease, rebounding from a rocky Opening Day to secure the dub.

Sosa Shines, Schwarber Rakes, Castellanos Locks In

Sosa is making the most of his early opportunity while Trea Turner nurses his back. He’s now 6-for-11 with three doubles and has multiple hits in every game he’s played. And like manager Rob Thomson pointed out, he’s been here before:

“When Sosa gets a chance to get some consistent at-bats, he shows what he can do,” Thomson said.

Schwarber, meanwhile, looks locked in — already three bombs in four games and looking more like October Schwarber than April Schwarber. Nick Castellanos added his first home run of the year after walking four times over the weekend in D.C. and is seeing the ball like it’s a beach ball.

CBP Still Hits Different

Monday was a reminder that Citizens Bank Park remains the most electric home field in baseball. Loud, rowdy, and flat-out intimidating.

Even with Trea on the bench and Bryce not in midseason form yet, the Phils put on a show for the home crowd and sent the Rockies packing in what’s become a near-automatic W when Colorado visits South Philly (that’s 11 wins in the last 12 home meetings, by the way).

Up Next for the Phillies

Zack Wheeler takes the mound Wednesday for Game 2 of the series. Bud Black and the Rockies might want to start praying now.

Buckle up — baseball is back at The Bank, and this team’s got thunder.

All Things Philadelphia Phillies Right Here >>

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