Phillies vs Padres Picks and Prediction – 7/12/2025

The Philadelphia Phillies (54-39) and San Diego Padres (50-43) square off at Petco Park on FOX at 5:35 PM ET, with Zack Wheeler (9-3, 2.17 ERA) taking on Yu Darvish (0-1, 4.91 ERA). Philadelphia enters coming off a dominant 13-0 victory over San Francisco, while San Diego edged Arizona 4-3 in its previous matchup. Elevate your MLB game with our top-notch MLB picks.

Philadelphia is playing solid baseball, capturing three wins in the last five games. Wheeler, who has been exceptional with a 2.17 ERA, struck out 148 batters in 116 innings pitched, a major weapon against the Padres' lineup. Kyle Schwarber continues to be a force offensively, leading Philadelphia with 29 home runs and 68 RBIs, supported by Trea Turner, who's batting a team-best .294 average.

On the mound, the Phillies carry a collective ERA of 3.66 and a WHIP of 1.25, showcasing steady mound performance throughout the season. However, injuries are affecting key contributors, notably Aaron Nola sidelined until August. Wheeler must deliver another strong outing to offset the bullpen absences.

San Diego finds itself coming off a tough series against Arizona, alternating wins and losses but pulling out a narrow 4-3 victory in the most recent game. The Padres boast a robust 29-17 home record and will look to capitalize on strong Petco Park performances. Yu Darvish will need improvement after allowing a 4.91 ERA in limited innings.

On the mound, San Diego holds a comparable ERA of 3.69 and WHIP of 1.24, slightly edging Philadelphia. Manny Machado remains the critical piece offensively, leading the Padres with 16 homers, a .291 batting average, and 54 RBIs. Pitching injuries, especially Joe Musgrove and Michael King on the 60-Day IL, leave the rotation shorthanded, applying additional pressure on Darvish.

Philadelphia’s pitching advantage with Wheeler (2.17 ERA) on the mound gives them an edge over the struggling Darvish (4.91 ERA). The Phillies' superior hitting (.257 AVG, 100 HRs) compared to San Diego (.245 AVG, 80 HRs), plus Schwarber’s hot bat (29 HR, 68 RBI), further tilts the odds in Philadelphia's favor. Final Score Prediction: Phillies win 5-3.