When the first pitch of the 2025 Philadelphia Phillies season is thrown on Thursday, it won't be to the leadoff man Phillies fans have become accustomed to the past few years. Kyle Schwarber will not be leading off for Philadelphia, being replaced in the one-hole by Trea Turner.
Schwarber, who led the MLB in leadoff home runs in 2024 with 15, moves into the cleanup spot, with Bryce Harper and Alec Bohm manning the No. 2 and No. 3 spots, respectively.
Phillies Opening Day starting lineup
For the most part, the Phils lineup looks familiar, personnel-wise — except for Max Kepler, who joins Philadelphia after a decade with Minnesota and will bat No. 6 in his debut.
- Trae Turner (SS)
- Bryce Harper (1B)
- Alec Bohm (3B)
- Kyle Schwarber (DH)
- JT Realmuto (C)
- Max Kepler (LF)
- Nick Castellanos (RF)
- Bryson Stott (2B)
- Brandon Marsh (CF)
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Rob Thompson shows a willingness to experiment with Phillies lineup
Turner sliding into the leadoff spot on Opening Day might not actually work — I'm no fortune teller, leave me be — but if nothing else, it shows that Phillies manager Rob Thompson is willing to switch things up in the batting order, something he hasn't done much in his tenure with the Phillies. With 162 games remaining, Opening Day should be the time for experimentation; see what works!
Plus, it could work! Schwarber is a great leadoff power guy, but doesn't pose much threat on the bases, and putting him in the cleanup spot behind three great contact guys in Turner, Harper and Bohm could lead to plenty of productive innings for the top of the Phils lineup.
Phillies kick off 2025 season with Wheeler on the mound
Zack Wheeler finally gets to start Opening Day with the Phillies. From 2018 to 2023, that honor was bestowed on Aaron Nola, the Phillies ace for the better part of the late 2010s and early 2020s. Last year, in 2024, the Phillies Opening Day starter was technically Jose Alvarado — but that's just because the first game of the year was postponed due to weather. Now, on a sunny day in DC, Wheeler will hope to pick up where he left off in 2024, winning a career-best 16 games and posted a career-best 2.57 ERA,
His opponent on the bump will be MacKenzie Gore, who is making his first career Opening Day start for the Nationals, the team that drafted him No. 3 overall in the 2017 MLB Draft. Gore started to look like the high-end prospect he has the talent to be in 2024, posting career highs across the board, and earning an Opening Day nod in 2025.
Phillies core remains intact after disappointing exit from 2024 Playoffs
The Philadelphia air was thick with trade rumors all winter, but the front office appears to trust this team can contend in the National League. There's enough talent — but is there enough balance in the roster? We saw the roster struggle last year in the playoffs, and when one guy struggled, the whole team followed.