Phillies prep for showdown with Astros by making flurry of roster moves

After splitting a six-game road trip, the Philadelphia Phillies return home for an important seven-game home stand.

Highlighting this stretch are four games against the Atlanta Braves, who sit six games behind Philadelphia in the National League East standings. But first up are the Houston Astros, who lead the American League West.

The next seven games could have a major impact on the Phillies’ playoff position, with Philadelphia sitting 1.5 games behind the league-leading Los Angeles Dodgers and just one game ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers for third place.

As they prepare for the Astros, Philadelphia announced several changes to the roster.

The Phillies sent Kolby Allard (2-0, 3.50 ERA) back down to the minors, preferring to keep veteran Taijuan Walker in the rotation. Walker’s hold on his spot in the rotation remains tenuous. He’s 0-2 in his last three starts, allowing 12 earned runs in 11 ⅔ innings pitched.

Rookie righthander Max Lazar was called up to join the bullpen. He’s appeared in six games in relief for the Phillies this season and has yet to allow a run.

Utility man Weston Wilson will take a paternity absence for the next three days. Wilson has been a solid contributor off the bench, slashing .353/.370/.647 in 22 games, and became the first Phillies rookie to hit for the cycle .

Infielder Buddy Kennedy makes his Philadelphia debut after being called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Kennedy was obtained in a trade with the Detroit Tigers on June 7. He’s batting .281 in 349 minor league at-bats this season, with 12 home runs and 43 RBI.

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