The Philadelphia Phillies host the Tampa Bay Rays at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday, September 26, 2026, with first pitch scheduled for 7:15 PM ET on FOX/FOX ONE. Tampa Bay sends right-hander Griffin Jax to the hill, while Philadelphia has yet to name a starter. With the regular season winding down, every game carries weight in the standings, and this one is no exception. Phillies fans tuning in on 94 WIP will want their lineups ready — Philadelphia is rolling out a formidable batting order from top to bottom.

Phillies vs. Rays: Saturday Night Matchup at Citizens Bank Park

The Rays come to South Philly with Griffin Jax getting the ball. Jax is a right-handed reliever who has worked his way into a starting role, and he will face a Phillies lineup that has genuine firepower throughout. The Philadelphia starter has not been announced, which introduces some uncertainty into the pregame conversation, but the lineup Philadelphia is putting on the field is hard to ignore.

Phillies Starting Lineup for Saturday, September 26

• 1. Trea Turner, SS
• 2. Kyle Schwarber, DH
• 3. Bryce Harper, 1B
• 4. Alec Bohm, 3B
• 5. Bryson Stott, 2B
• 6. Bryan De La Cruz, RF
• 7. Brandon Marsh, LF
• 8. J.T. Realmuto, C
• 9. Justin Crawford, CF

Keys to Watch Against Griffin Jax and the Rays

The Phillies lineup is constructed to do damage, and the matchup against Jax will be worth tracking from the first pitch. Trea Turner at the top gives Philadelphia speed and on-base ability to set the table, and Kyle Schwarber batting second means the Rays cannot afford to pitch around anyone without consequences coming immediately. Bryce Harper hitting third remains one of the most dangerous at-bats in the National League, and Alec Bohm in the four-hole has shown the ability to drive runners in throughout this season.

The back half of the lineup is no pushover either. Bryson Stott at five, Bryan De La Cruz at six, and Brandon Marsh at seven give Philadelphia length that wears down pitchers deep into counts. J.T. Realmuto behind the plate provides a veteran presence at eight, and Justin Crawford in the nine-hole gives the Phillies a second lead-off type threat to cycle back to Turner.

The question surrounding Philadelphia's unknown starter looms large. If the Phillies need to piece things together through the bullpen, the game plan changes considerably. Tampa Bay will look to exploit any early vulnerability and manufacture runs against a patchwork staff if that's what Saturday delivers.

Broadcast Information

Saturday's game airs nationally on FOX/FOX ONE. Local radio coverage is available on 94 WIP in English, with Spanish-language broadcasts on 106.1 Rumba and WQBN/1300AM.

Prediction

The Phillies lineup is loaded enough to put runs on the board against Griffin Jax, and Citizens Bank Park on a Saturday night in late September is a difficult environment for visiting pitching. Until Philadelphia names its starter, there is a variable that keeps this from being a lock, but the offense gives the Phillies the edge. Take Philadelphia to win a competitive game at home.