A superstar is waiting as the Phillies head to Kansas City.
Fresh off a National League East series loss to the Braves, Philadelphia will meet the Royals and Bobby Witt Jr. for a three-game interleague set starting Friday. It’ll be the Phillies’ first opportunity to face Witt since his recent jump to stardom.
Witt, a 24-year-old shortstop, has emerged as perhaps the frontrunner for the American League MVP and one of the best players in all of Major League Baseball this season. He’s batting .352 in 127 games and a staggering .404 in 66 home games at Kauffman Stadium in 2024.
A third-year major leaguer, Witt enjoyed a 30-home run, 30-steal season in 2023, but his production has exploded this year as the Royals (71-56) have positioned themselves to hold an American League wild-card spot in the current standings. Their rising star has a lot to do with that success.
Witt’s 9.1 fWAR is tied with Yankees slugger Aaron Judge for tops in the big leagues. He leads the majors in batting average, hits (178) and runs scored (110). The 2024 All-Star has been the all-around engine in Kansas City, providing incredible value at the plate, in the field and on the bases. He’s been one of the most effective and tantalizing players to watch this season, and it appears that it could only be the start of things for such a young breakout hitter.
The Phillies saw Witt for two games at Citizens Bank Park in 2023; he went 2-for-8 with a home run. Even having seen that long ball, Philadelphia is about to encounter another level of Bobby Witt Jr., a force to be reckoned with throughout this series. He’ll have opportunities to do damage against the Phillies’ pitching lined up for Kansas City.
The struggling Taijuan Walker will go Friday, left-hander Ranger Suárez (back) will pitch Saturday in his first start off the injured list and Sunday’s starter will be announced. The Phillies failed to execute with their three best healthy starters pitching in Atlanta, and now the Royals will have a chance to face their weaker arms. One of the best home offenses in baseball, Witt and company will be a dangerous opponent for a Philadelphia club still unable to really find its footing in the second half so far.
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