Colorado Rockies vs Philadelphia Phillies Picks and Predictions May 19th 2025

Phillies, Visiting Rockies, Embark on Rest of the Season Without Their Closer

The Philadelphia Phillies find themselves entering a critical stretch of the 2025 MLB season with the sting of a major loss: closer Jose Alvarado has been suspended 80 games and is ineligible for postseason play after violating MLB’s performance-enhancing drug policy. As they open a four-game road series against the Colorado Rockies on Monday, the Phillies must recalibrate their bullpen strategy and lean deeper into their roster depth.

Alvarado Suspension Leaves a Void in the Bullpen

The league’s announcement on Sunday reverberated through the Phillies’ clubhouse, just hours after they wrapped up a hard-fought 1-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates — their third consecutive victory.

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“We’ve got to move on,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “It’s too bad, but we’ve got to move on. We have really good pieces here that can pick up the slack.”

That process begins immediately, as Cristopher Sanchez (4-1, 2.91 ERA) takes the mound in Denver to face Kyle Freeland (0-6, 6.15 ERA) in a lefty-on-lefty duel.

Phillies Continue Winning Ways, Rockies Still Reeling

While the Phillies remain firmly in the playoff hunt, Colorado is entrenched in a season-long slump. Their 8-38 record is the worst in MLB, and after a 1-5 road trip, they return home with little momentum. Interim manager Warren Schaeffer will make his home debut on Monday after taking over for the fired Bud Black.

“Just a couple of hits from winning some games, and if we keep playing like that, Rockies fans are going to see some wins coming,” Schaeffer said, hopeful despite another one-run loss on Sunday.

Colorado has been shut out seven times this season and is on pace to win just 28 games, a potential historic low. The schedule doesn’t help — the Rockies’ next 13 games come against teams currently sitting in first or second place.

Pitching Matchup: Sanchez Steady, Freeland Searching

Cristopher Sanchez has quietly become a rock in the Phillies’ rotation. He has pitched at least five innings in seven of his eight starts, including his opening-day outing against the Rockies, where he allowed just one run over 5 1/3 innings in a 6-1 victory.

In four career starts against Colorado, Sanchez is 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA, consistently keeping Rockies bats quiet.

Kyle Freeland, meanwhile, continues to search for his first win of the season despite notching four quality starts. He performed well in Philadelphia back in April, allowing three runs in 6 2/3 innings, but took the loss in a 5-1 defeat. His career numbers vs. the Phillies — 2-4 with a 3.59 ERA in nine starts — suggest he can keep games competitive, but Colorado’s lack of run support has hurt.

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A Critical Stretch for Both Teams

While Philadelphia navigates life without Alvarado, they’ll have to rely on bullpen depth and find late-game solutions on the fly. Their opponent, Colorado, faces a daunting slate and the pressure of finding anything resembling consistent success.

Looking to capitalize on Phillies’ momentum or take a value shot on a Rockies upset? This series is a prime target for those looking for MLB betting picks and insights. Check out the latest MLB picks and predictions tailored for every series and matchup.