Kyle Schwarber regains NL homer lead

Schwarber draws an extremely rare start at the cold corner with Alec Bohm taking a seat in this one. The 33-year-old veteran slugger will be making just his third appearance at the spot this season. He’s highly unlikely to see enough action there over the final two months to pick up eligibility there in most fantasy leagues.

The Phillies are facing a lefty opener tonight, but the lineup looks more like it would against a righty, with Brandon Marsh, Bryson Stott and Justin Crawford all included. Arraez is more used to hitting first or second than cleanup, but no one is better equipped to single in a guy from second base. The Phillies are keeping Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner at the top for now.

Schwarber made it back into Philadelphia’s lineup following a two-game absence due to illness earlier this week.

Schwarber missed Tuesday and Wednesday with the illness, but is ready to go tonight after a brief two-game absence.

Schwarber continues to deal with a gastrointestinal issue that has now kept him out of the lineup for two games. The Phillies could really use his bat in the lineup right now. Trea Turner will DH on Wednesday with Edmundo Sosa playing shortstop and batting ninth.

Schwarber is dealing with a gastrointestinal issue and will return to Philadelphia’s lineup once he’s feeling better at some point this week. Bryce Harper takes a turn at designated hitter with Alec Bohm moving to first base and Edmundo Sosa entering the lineup at third base.

Schwarber’s home run was his 33rd of the season. He hit a two-run shot off Sean Manaea in the first inning. Schwarber now has three home runs in 13 games in July. He’s hitting .255 with a .935 OPS and 61 RBI.

Schwarber’s defining characteristic is an uncanny ability to thrive under pressure, somehow always finding his swing and locking in on the biggest stages in baseball. The 33-year-old entered as the overwhelming favorite in his home ballpark and managed to overcome a frosty start to narrowly advance to the semifinals before outlasting former teammate Willson Contreras to reach the final round. He homered on seven of his first 10 swings in the finals and finished with a whopping 11 on 15 swings. It took a herculean effort from Cardinals emerging star Jordan Walker, who homered on each of his final six swings to pull off an incredible comeback.

He’s the second Phillies player to join the field in the last two days, as he and Bryce Harper are joining Willson Contreras, Jac Caglianone, Junior Caminero, and Ben Rice. There’s room for one more player. Schwarber led the league in homers last year (56) and currently is leading MLB again this year with 32 while hitting .254/.369/.571. The 33-year-old star will undoubtedly be one the favorites to win the derby.

The ball was flying in Cincinnati tonight. Schwarber’s ninth inning home run was the seventh of this game and his league-leading 32nd of the season. It’s been a banner first half for the slugger with 58 RBI, a .254 batting average, and .945 OPS to go along with those 32 dingers.