The Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays will meet in the finale of their three-game interleague series on Thursday, May 8, 2025, with both clubs aiming to take a step forward as they push through the early portion of the season. The Phillies come in with a 19–15 record and have been one of the more balanced teams in the National League, showing strong performances on the mound, reliable defense, and a lineup capable of scoring in bunches. Their consistency is reflected in their 19–15 record against the spread (ATS), with standout performances from Bryce Harper, who continues to produce elite power numbers and clutch at-bats, and Trea Turner, whose speed and table-setting abilities have helped spark the offense. Philadelphia has averaged just over 4.7 runs per game while maintaining one of the lower team ERAs in the National League, thanks to their deep rotation and the dominance of Zack Wheeler, who has consistently kept hitters off balance with his elite fastball command and swing-and-miss secondary stuff. Their bullpen, anchored by José Alvarado and Seranthony Domínguez, has been one of the more reliable units in baseball this season, closing out tight games with poise and precision.

The Rays, meanwhile, have been less consistent, entering the game with a 16–18 record and having covered the spread in just 15 of 34 games—a reflection of a team struggling to piece together full games on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Tampa Bay has not lived up to expectations, averaging under four runs per game and relying heavily on players like Yandy Díaz and rising star Junior Caminero to carry the load. Their inability to get production from the bottom of the order has put extra pressure on the pitching staff, which, while solid in spots—especially from Drew Rasmussen and a bullpen led by Pete Fairbanks—hasn’t been able to consistently protect leads. Tampa Bay has also been hurt by defensive miscues at key moments, extending innings and adding to the stress on the staff. Despite their recent 10–5 ATS record against National League teams, the Rays have not looked sharp against a more complete Phillies team this series, and they’ll need to tighten up their approach in all phases to avoid dropping the rubber match. The Phillies have had success this year closing out series with authority, and they’ll look to do so again, especially if they can jump on Tampa’s starter early and apply pressure with aggressive base running and consistent contact from the heart of their order. For the Rays, it will be essential to get early momentum and avoid chasing from behind, something they’ve failed to do in several recent losses. With momentum slightly favoring the Phillies and their core stars rounding into midseason form, they appear better positioned to take the series and continue building on what’s been a strong opening stretch of the 2025 campaign.