Phillies oppose James Shields, White Sox in final interleague series of season

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies (67-83) will begin their second-to-last home series of the season as they oppose RHP James Shields and the Chicago White Sox (72-78) in the first of a two-game series Tuesday evening at Citizens Bank Park.

Phillies starting pitchers have surrendered three earned runs or fewer in 16 consecutive starts, their longest streak since going 17 straight from July 1-20, 2000. Rookie RHP Jake Thompson will look to match this streak set more than 16 years ago as he makes his ninth career start.

The Phillies are 9-9 in interleague play and 1-1 against the White Sox this season.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

James Shields — Age: 34;

• Last Start: Sept. 15, 2016, vs. CLE: ND, 6 IP, 3 H, R, ER, 3 BB, 8 SO
• Career vs. PHI: (3-1), 6 G, 36 2/3 IP, 42 H, 20 R, 20 ER, 4 BB, 43 SO, 8 HR, 4.91 ERA

Shields has lost five straight decisions dating back to August 2 at Comerica Park. In his nine starts during this stretch, the 11-year veteran has surrendered 58 hits, 43 runs (42 earned), 22 walks and 17 home runs over 40 1/3 innings en route to a 9.37 ERA.

The Newhall, California, native will oppose the Phillies for the seventh time of his career. His first appearance at Citizens Bank Park came over 10 years ago as a member of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays: a 10-4 victory on June 16, 2006.

Shields was traded from the San Diego Padres to Chicago on June 4 in exchange for RHP Erik Johnson and 17-year-old minor league infielder Fernando Tatis.

In game two of the 2008 World Series on Oct. 23, 2008, Shields threw 5 2/3 shutout innings against the Phillies for the Rays' only win of the five-game series.

Jake Thompson — Age: 22;

• Last Start: Sept. 14, 2016, vs. PIT: W, 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO, HR
• Career vs. CWS: (0-1), 1 G, 5 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 4 BB, 2 SO, 2 HR, 12.60 ERA

Thompson has posted a quality start in three of his last four outings, combing for a 2.49 ERA with 17 strikeouts through 25 1/3 innings. He had a combined 9.78 ERA in his previous four starts to start his career.

The Phillies rookie allowed a career-high eight hits and seven earned runs in his last appearance against the White Sox on August 23. Veteran outfielder Melky Cabrera walked three times in three plate appearances against Thompson that evening.

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

• First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
• TV: CSN
• Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game Notes:

• Over his last 14 games, shortstop Freddy Galvis is batting .283/.304/.566 with seven runs scored, 10 singles, five home runs, two walks and 13 RBIs. The 26-year-old has set career-high marks this season in doubles (24), home runs (20), RBIs (67), stolen bases (14), caught stealing (5) and strikeouts (125). He has committed just one fielding error over his last 454 innings and 202 chances (.995%).
• All-time against the White Sox, the Phillies are 6-3 at home and 8-6 overall. The White Sox last played at Citizens Bank Park from July 13-14, 2013, dropping two of the three games of the series.
• The White Sox are 14 1/2 games behind the Cleveland Indians in the American League Central division and 10 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles in the Wild Card.
• Including the 2008 World Series, active members of the Phillies are batting .286/.320/.520 all-time against Shields with 17 singles, five doubles, six home runs, three walks and eight RBIs through 103 plate appearances. The following Phillies have each went yard once against Shields in their careers: first basemen Ryan Howard and Tommy Joseph, outfielders Peter Bourjos and Cody Asche, catcher Cameron Rupp and second baseman Cesar Hernandez.

Standings:

What's Next:

• Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016: vs. Chicago White Sox, 7:05 p.m.
• Citizens Bank Park
  
• LHP Chris Sale (16-8, 3.03 ERA) vs. RHP Jerad Eickhoff (10-14, 3.74 ERA)
• TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP