Oakland Athletics vs Philadelphia Phillies Picks and Predictions May 25th 2025

Game Preview: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Athletics

The Philadelphia Phillies, riding a season-best winning streak, will aim to complete a three-game sweep against the struggling Athletics on Sunday afternoon. This matchup promises a clash of momentum, with the Phillies surging and the A’s desperately seeking to end their prolonged skid. For the latest odds and updates on all MLB games, visit MLB Scores and Odds.

Philadelphia Phillies’ Hot Streak

The Philadelphia Phillies extended their season-best winning streak to nine games with a hard-fought 9-6, 11-inning victory over the A’s on Saturday night. This marks their best stretch since winning 11 straight in September 2010. Kyle Schwarber was the hero of the night, hitting his 18th homer of the campaign (tying Aaron Judge for the major league lead) and later lining a tiebreaking two-run double in the 11th. Schwarber’s approach epitomizes the team’s composure: “Just go up there and compete. You’ve been in so many different situations before and you just have to make sure you keep your cool.” The Phillies now boast a major league-best record of 34−18 and have won 13 of their past 14 road games, entering the finale of a seven-game road trip. A crucial defensive play by Brandon Marsh in the 10th inning, throwing out a pinch-runner at the plate, also highlighted the Phillies’ resilience. Schwarber praised the play: “To make that accurate throw there in that situation, that was the biggest thing. He came up firing and made sure he was accurate and gave J.T. (Realmuto) a chance. That was a heck of a tag. That was a very big momentum play for us.”

Athletics’ Challenging Skid

The Athletics are in a tough spot, having dropped their 11th straight game, matching their longest skid of this century (also 11 losses in 2023 as the Oakland A’s). Despite the downturn, closer Mason Miller remains optimistic: “This thing is going to turn around at some point. We’re going to be ready to get the ball rolling the other way when it does.” The A’s briefly took a 6−5 lead in the eighth inning on Brent Rooker’s home run, only to see it erased by Max Kepler’s tying homer off Miller in the ninth. They also threatened in the 10th, loading the bases with no outs, but couldn’t convert. Nick Kurtz exited the game after hurting his left hip flexor in the 10th inning, with manager Mark Kotsay awaiting further details.

Pitching Matchup: Luzardo vs. Hoglund

Phillies left-hander Jesus Luzardo (5−0, 1.95 ERA) will look to earn his third straight victory on Sunday. Luzardo has been in fine form, allowing just one run in each of his last two starts. He delivered a strong performance against the St. Louis Cardinals on May 14, giving up five hits over seven innings in a 2−1 win, and then dominated the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday, allowing two hits and striking out 10 over six innings in a 7−4 Phillies victory. Luzardo previously pitched for the Athletics from 2019-21 and faced them in 2022 as a Miami Marlin, receiving a no-decision after allowing two runs and three hits over seven innings in a 3−2 Oakland victory.

The Athletics will counter with right-hander Gunnar Hoglund (1−2, 5.06 ERA), who is making his fifth big league start. Hoglund will attempt to end a two-game losing streak during which he has surrendered five home runs. His latest setback came against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday, where he allowed five runs and six hits over 432​ innings in a 7−5 loss.

Team Trends and Statistics

The Phillies’ nine-game winning streak is a testament to their balanced play, with strong pitching and timely hitting. Kyle Schwarber’s power has been a consistent factor, and the team’s ability to win tight games, including extra-inning battles and escaping jams, highlights their championship potential. The Athletics, conversely, are mired in their longest losing streak in years, struggling to close out games and generate consistent offense. Brent Rooker’s power against Phillies pitching is a notable trend, as he went 7−for−12 with three homers and seven RBIs in a three-game series last season, and he homered again Saturday. Lawrence Butler also had a strong series last year and contributed two doubles on Saturday.

Match Outlook

With the Phillies’ current momentum and Luzardo on the mound, they are in a strong position to complete the sweep. However, the Athletics will be desperate to break their losing streak at home. This final game presents a classic contrast in form, with the red-hot Phillies aiming to extend their dominance and the struggling A’s fighting for a morale-boosting victory. For more in-depth strategies and insights, check out our MLB Expert Betting Guide.

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