Heading out west, the Philadelphia Phillies (26-27) will take on the San Diego Padres (31-21) after dropping their last two series at Citizens Bank Park.
Former Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos will have the opportunity to play his former club for the first time since their departure in Spring Training.
Castellanos spent four seasons with the Phillies, a tenure that featured high highs and low lows.
In his limited time with the Padres, Castellanos is hitting .196 with four home runs and 20 runs batted in.
The Phillies will have to focus more on winning the series than worrying about a "revenge" series from their former outfielder, as they continue to slip further and further away from National League East contention.
*Editor's Update: The Padres have announced Griffin Canning will now start Monday. Randy Vasquez will now start on Tuesday.
Game 1:
On Memorial Day Monday, the Phillies will send Jesus Luzardo (3-4, 4.85 ERA) to the mound against Randy Vasquez (5-2, 2.96 ERA).
Luzardo has been up and down throughout most of the 2026 season but has seemingly returned to form over his last few outings.
Vasquez is off to the best start of his career, becoming the team's second-best arm behind Michael King. The right-hander gets the benefit of facing a Phillies offense that has scored just four runs in their last three games combined.
Game 2:
On Tuesday, Aaron Nola (2-4, 6.04 ERA) takes the mound for the Phillies as he continues to try and find his way in 2026.
Nola has allowed 13 earned runs in his last three starts. In those outings, he has allowed three home runs and has only amassed 11 strikeouts. Keeping the ball in the yard against a dangerous Padres lineup will present Nola with his biggest challenge yet.
For San Diego, the Padres will oppose Nola with Griffin Canning (0-2, 9.00 ERA).
Canning has become a journeyman pitcher in Major League Baseball and has struggled in his two outings this season.
The veteran has allowed six runs to score in two of his four starts this season. If the quiet Phillies offense cannot strike against Canning, the team truly will have to take a deeper look at itself.
Game 3:
In the finale, Cristopher Sanchez (5-2, 1.62 ERA) will battle former Phillie Walker Buehler (3-2, 5.05 ERA).
Sanchez is coming off an eight-inning shutout against the Cleveland Guardians, where he did not factor in the decision. Sanchez was relieved in the ninth for Jhoan Duran, who allowed a solo home run to be the difference in the ballgame.
The Phillies' left-hander has become one of the best arms in baseball and could be taking the mound in a series deciding matchup.
Buehler had an opportunity to return to the Phillies this season on a minor league deal. He opted to take the same deal with the Padres, citing a better opportunity to pitch at the big league level.
The veteran right hander also preferred to return to the West Coast, making it an easy decision.
Buehler has solid in his role for the Padres but does not present the threat he once did. This gives the Phillies the edge in Wednesday's outing.
