(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils (Philadelphia Phillies, Double-A) are playing host to the Erie SeaWolves (Detroit Tigers, Double-A) for the final regular season series of the 2026 campaign. The Fightin Phils are in primed position to clinch a playoff spot for the first time in seven years, while the SeaWolves already have a second half division title in hand.
Tuesday is the R-Phils official Pride Night, as the first 1,000 fans can get a 32 oz. pride cup on their way in through the gates. Wednesday kicks off a week of jersey auctions, as fans will be able to bid on the Reading Fightin Phils 60 Seasons with the Phillies pinstriped jersey. On Thursday, Baseballtown fans can bid on the game-worn Reading Phillies throwback jersey concepts. Friday kicks off a week of fireworks at FirstEnergy Stadium, and it’s also the first day the R-Phils will wear “Reading Prost” jerseys and with a jersey auction available. Saturday will mark the largest fireworks show in the history of America’s Classic Ballpark with a tribute to “Reading Prost” and “Oktoberfest” prevalent throughout the evening. Sunday is the final of 69 home games for Reading. The theme of the afternoon contest is Dinosaur Day, and all fans can run the bases on a day where game-worn Reading Hot Dogs jerseys will be up for auction.
Reading (36-26, 66-65) is fresh off of a series split against the Hartford Yard Goats (Colorado Rockies, Double-A), the Eastern League-Northeast first half champions. Caleb Ricketts paced Al Pedrique’s offense, going 5-for-10 (.500 AVG) at the plate with a home run, two runs batted in and three walks for a team-best .642 OBP. Phillies top pitching prospect Gage Wood dazzled, firing four-innings of two-run ball with a career-high 10 strikeouts this past Thursday. The Fightins took the final game of the series 6-2, and with some help around the division, their magic number to clinch a second half title fell from five games to three over just a matter of hours. Bryan Rincon, the Phillies no. 5 prospect, also hit his 23rd homer of the year and his 10th long ball (MiLB-best) in a leadoff capacity.
Raylin Heredia is having a banner year under fourth year field manager Al Pedrique. The 22-year-old Dominican Republic native has 22 homers, 71 runs batted in and an Eastern League best 56 extra base hits in his 2026 campaign. His mark of 33 doubles paces the league as well.
Erie (41-22, 77-54) has an Eastern League-Southwest second half title in hand, clinching as part of a successful week against the Somerset Patriots (New York Yankees, Double-A). The SeaWolves dropped the first two games of the week before winning three of the next four contests, including a 17-0 drubbing of the Patriots entering the weekend. Their 11-10 victory on Sunday clinched a playoff bid, as the team that finished with a runner-up title in 2025 will embark on another championship run.
Tony Cappuccilli’s group leads all Eastern League teams in stolen bags, finding success on 268 of their 317 attempts this season.
Peyton Graham has been the biggest threat of all of the team’s baserunners, stealing 65 bases in 72 attempts over 110 games. This is the 25-year-old’s first full year at the Double-A level. He had 53 stolen bases over 248 career contests before this year.
The pitching matchups for this week are as follows:
- Tuesday: RHP Cody Bowker (2-0, 2.40 ERA) vs. RHP Max Alba (2-5, 6.52 ERA)
- Wednesday: RHP Gage Wood (0-3, 4.81 ERA) vs. RHP Lucas Elissalt (0-1, 3.29 ERA)
- Thursday: RHP Luke Russo (11-8, 4.41 ERA) vs. RHP Kenny Serwa (9-8, 3.95 ERA)
- Friday: LHP Adam Seminaris (11-8, 4.22 ERA) vs. LHP Joe Miller (3-1, 4.09 ERA)
- Saturday: RHP Braydon Tucker (7-9, 4.22 ERA) vs. Carlos Pena (7-4, 4.36 ERA)
- Sunday: RHP Ryan Dromboski (0-1, 23.14 ERA) vs. RHP Max Alba (2-5, 6.52 ERA)
The Tigers’ top 30 prospects (per MLB.com) on the SeaWolves roster are as follows:
- No. 2 - Zyhir Hope - OF
- No. 15 - Thayron Liranzo - C/1B
- No. 26 - Lucas Elissalt - RHP
The 2026 R-Phils season is presented by Pepsi. Follow the Fightin Phils on Twitter @ReadingFightins, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram @Fightins.