Asher, Gilmartin square off as Phillies look to rebound against Mets

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

FLUSHING, N.Y. — Making his fourth start of the season will be Philadelphia Phillies (69-85) rookie RHP Alec Asher as he opposes southpaw Sean Gilmartin and the New York Mets (82-72) in the third of a four-game set Saturday evening at Citi Field.

Gilmartin will be making his first start after 13 relief appearances this season as he fills in for the ailing RHP Noah Syndergaard (strep throat).

The Phillies, who have been outscored 19-13 through two defeats so far this series, hope to avoid their fourth straight series defeat to the Mets. They are 28-40 against National League East opponents, 11-13 in overall Saturday matchups and 9-12 in the month of September so far this season.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

Alec Asher — Age: 24;

• Last Start: Sept. 18, 2016, vs. MIA: ND, 4 1/3 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 SO
• Career vs. NYM: (0-0), 1 G, 2/3 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 HR, 67.50 ERA

Asher's only career start against the Mets was brief: he recored just two outs on 43 pitches last Sept. 30, 2015, at Citizens Bank Park. He surrendered two home runs in the outing: three-run and two-run blasts to Daniel Murphy and Michael Conforto, respectively.

Sean Gilmartin — Age: 26;

• Last Appearance: Sept. 22, 2016, vs. PHI: ND, 2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 SO, 14 pit, 7 str
• Career vs. PHI: (1-1), 10 G, GS, 14 IP, 11 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 13 SO, 2 HR, 1.93 ERA

Gilmartin has just one career start through 63 career games, which occurred in his rookie season on Oct. 1, 2015, against the Phillies (L, 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 3 SO, HR).

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

• First pitch: 7:10 p.m.
• TV: CSN, MLBN
• Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game Notes:

• With his 10-game hitting streak, second baseman Cesar Hernandez has reached base safely in 28 straight contests, the most by a Phillie since Chase Utley from June 21, to July 26, 2011 (28). He is batting .321/.444/.407 this month with 14 runs scored, 23 singles, two triples, one home run, 17 walks and four RBIs through 21 games and 100 plate appearances.
• Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard has not struck out over his last 12 plate appearances, a season-long stretch. His batting average currently stands at a career-low .194, as he only has 60 hits this season (38.3% of which are home runs with 23) through 310 at-bats. The former Most Valuable Player would need to hit safely in each of his next 11 at-bats for his batting average to climb above .220.
• Against the Phillies, the Mets have homered 29 times over their last 14 games and 64 times over the last two seasons (33 games). One more home run by Curtis Granderson would secure the Mets their first season of two players with 30 or more home runs since 2008: Carlos Delgado (38), David Wright (33). Yoenis Cespedes has 30 home runs this season and has homered nine times in 20 career games against Philadelphia.

Standings:

What's Next:

• Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016: at New York Mets, 1:10 p.m.
• Citi Field
  
• RHP Jake Thompson (3-5, 5.62 ERA) vs. RHP Robert Gsellman (2-2, 3.13 ERA)
• TV: CSN; Radio: 1210 WPHT