Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber blast off as Wheeler dices up the Marlins in Phillies’ 7–2 win

Zack Wheeler shoved. Bryce Harper set the tone. Kyle Schwarber put it on ice. And just like that, the Phillies rolled to a 7–2 win over the flailing Miami Marlins to open the weekend series at Citizens Bank Park.

If this one felt over by the second inning, that’s because it basically was.

Bryce Harper sent Sandy Alcantara to the shadow realm.

Just three batters into the game, Bryce Harper launched a two-run shot that got the ball rolling and The Bank thumping. Alcantara’s outing didn’t last much longer. By the end of the second, the Phillies had tattooed him for six earned runs on 61 pitches, and the Marlins were already down bad.

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Kyle Schwarber added his National League-leading seventh homer of the year with a moonshot to right-center in the fifth, stretching the lead to 7–0 and giving the Phillies fans one more reason to keep standing.

The Outfielders Didn’t Even Move…lol

Kyle Schwarber's 7th homer of the season is tied for third-most in baseball. pic.twitter.com/BCGzEzI9qu

— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) April 19, 2025

Meanwhile, Wheeler was absolutely filthy. Seven innings, 13 strikeouts, no walks, and pure dominance — especially in the seventh when he struck out the side to cap his night with authority. That’s now back-to-back strong outings from Wheeler, and his ERA has quietly dipped below 4.00 as he gets rolling.

Zack Wheeler Absolute Filth on the Mound Last Night:

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Phillies starters have now gone at least five innings in 19 of 20 games this season, and their 109.1 innings pitched is fourth-most in the majors. This rotation is working deep and working well — a far cry from the chaos of early 2024.

Also worth noting: Nick Castellanos had a multi-hit night but left early again with a nagging hip issue. That’s two straight games now. Worth watching.

The Marlins are already look cooked. Alcantara’s return from Tommy John hasn’t gone to plan — his ERA now sits at 7.27, and Friday night felt like the first time he didn’t trust his stuff. Add that to a lineup that’s relying on Xavier Edwards’ singles and backup-catcher pop from Eric Wagaman, and you’ve got a team with four straight losses and no identity.

Next Up for the Phillies:

Taijuan Walker (1-1, 2.30 ERA) will look to keep things rolling for the Phillies Saturday night against Miami’s Cal Quantrill (1-1, 5.79). With Ranger Suárez ramping up his rehab, it could be Walker’s last shot to lock down a rotation spot. Or another chance to prove he still has something left in the tank.

Either way, the Phils are back in the win column. Bryce Harper is heating up and Kyle Schwarber is playing at an MVP-level.

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