Tampa Bay Rays vs Philadelphia Phillies Picks and Predictions May 8th 2025

Phillies Look to Jesus Luzardo to Complete Sweep of Struggling Rays

The Philadelphia Phillies are hot, and their bats are doing the talking. Entering Thursday’s series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Phillies have scored 31 runs over the past four games, riding an offensive wave that’s helped fuel an 8-2 record over their last 10 contests.

The surge continued Wednesday with a 7-0 shutout at Tropicana Field, marking Tampa Bay’s sixth consecutive home loss. For the Phillies, it was just another showcase of balance—sharp pitching, smart base running, and a lineup that’s clicking from top to bottom.

Trea Turner, who went deep in the third and drove in another in the fourth, summed up the team’s rhythm perfectly:
“It just feels like everybody’s doing something… moving runners, but we’re also driving the ball again.”

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Kyle Schwarber Keeps Reaching

Kyle Schwarber continues to be an offensive engine. After a three-hit performance in Tuesday’s 8-4 win, he added two more hits Wednesday, extending his on-base streak to 36 games—a stat that’s hard to ignore this deep into the season.

Schwarber’s discipline and power are setting the tone, and his consistency has anchored a lineup that’s suddenly dangerous top to bottom. With Bryce Harper, Nick Castellanos, and Turner all swinging well, Philadelphia is applying pressure every inning.

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Jesus Luzardo Ready to Seal the Deal

If there’s one thing the Phillies are excited about, it’s the emergence of Jesus Luzardo. Acquired in the offseason from the Miami Marlins, Luzardo (3-0, 1.94 ERA) has quickly proven he belongs in the front end of the rotation.

While his last outing was a grind—giving up two runs over 5.1 innings against the Diamondbacks—Luzardo’s growth was on display. A few years ago, it might’ve unraveled. Now, he finds ways to compete even without his best stuff.

“I feel like a couple of years back, I go out there, I probably would’ve just gone three or four max,” Luzardo said. “Even when I’m not my best, we’re able to kind of weather the storm.”

His composure hasn’t gone unnoticed either. Schwarber gave him the ultimate praise:
“When he’s on the mound, it’s just him and the catcher and the hitter. There’s nobody else in his world.”

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Luzardo vs. Tampa: A History to Rewrite

While Luzardo has been dominant this season, he’ll need to overcome some past demons. In four career starts against the Rays, the left-hander is 0-3 with a 6.20 ERA. Those numbers stand in stark contrast to his 2025 form—but they’re worth monitoring.

Tampa Bay has often handled southpaws well, and Luzardo will need his full mix working: mid-90s fastball, diving changeup, and tight-breaking slider. If he gets ahead early and avoids long counts, it could be a turning point in his personal history against the Rays.

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Rays Reeling at Tropicana

Home used to be an advantage for the Rays. Not lately.

Tampa Bay has now dropped six straight games at Tropicana Field and has lost six of their last eight overall. Wednesday’s offensive no-show—just two hits and 12 strikeouts—was their sixth shutout loss of the season.

Brandon Lowe voiced the frustration:
“You always want to win at home. This is where we’re comfortable… sleeping in our own beds. But it hasn’t felt like that.”

The offense is sputtering, and outside of Yandy Diaz and Randy Arozarena, the Rays have lacked pop and patience. In their last six home games, they’re averaging just 2.3 runs per game—far from the explosive group that made playoff noise in recent years.

Ryan Pepiot Gets the Nod for Tampa

Ryan Pepiot (2-4, 4.23 ERA) takes the ball for Tampa Bay. The former Dodgers prospect has shown flashes but remains inconsistent. He’s allowed 2+ earned runs in each of his last four outings and was touched up for five hits and two runs over 4.1 innings in a 3-0 loss to the Yankees last Friday.

Pepiot has yet to face the Phillies in his MLB career, and this current lineup will be a serious test. With the way Turner, Schwarber, and Harper are hitting, he’ll need to get quick outs and avoid long innings.

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Key Matchups and X-Factors

Luzardo vs. Right-Handed Rays Hitters:

• Luzardo has held righties to a .189 average this year
• Will need to neutralize Diaz, Paredes, and Arozarena early

Pepiot vs. Phillies Leadoff:

• Turner is batting .333 with 8 multi-hit games in the last 16
• If he reaches early, Pepiot could struggle to settle in

Bullpens:

• Philadelphia’s pen hasn’t allowed a run in the series
• Tampa Bay has struggled with middle-inning consistency

What a Sweep Would Mean for the Phillies

Philadelphia is off to one of the best starts in the National League and has the depth to make a real run. Sweeping Tampa Bay on the road sends a message: this team is for real.

A sweep would also move them further ahead in the NL East race and give Luzardo a confidence boost heading into tougher division matchups.

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FAQs

How has Jesus Luzardo performed this season?

• He’s 3-0 with a 1.94 ERA and has allowed two runs or fewer in six of seven starts.

Who is starting for the Rays?

• Ryan Pepiot (2-4, 4.23 ERA), Tampa’s Opening Day starter.

What is Trea Turner’s recent form?

• Turner has 8 multi-hit games in his last 16 and homered in Wednesday’s win.

What’s the Phillies’ record over the last 10 games?

• Philadelphia is 8-2, scoring 63 runs in that stretch.

How many home games have the Rays lost in a row?

• Six straight home losses heading into Thursday’s series finale.

Where can I find betting picks for this game?

• Visit the MLB Picks Page for expert predictions and analysis.