Phillies, Marlins open 3-game set with Labor Day matinee

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

MIAMI — Having lost six consecutive games and 10 of their last 12, the Philadelphia Phillies (60-76) and RHP Jerad Eickhoff will begin a three-game road series in opposition of rookie RHP Jake Esch and the Miami Marlins (68-69) during a Labor Day matinee Monday at Marlins Park.

During the Phillies' six-game skid, they are averaging 1.8 runs per game and have been shut out twice while allowing a total of 25 runs, 4.2 runs per game, to their opponents. The Marlins, who have dropped eight of their last nine games, currently sit four games out of the second National League Wild Card spot.

The Phillies offense ranks last throughout Major League Baseball this season in runs scored (500), OBP (.295), OPS (.678) and extra-base hits (364). They are batting .167 (47-281) over their last nine games.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

Jerad Eickhoff — Age: 26;

• Last Start: August 30, 2016, vs. WSN: L, 6.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO
• Career vs. MIA: (1-3), 4 G, 24.0 IP, 25 H, 10 R, 9 ER, 4 BB, 23 SO, 3 HR, 3.38 ERA

In 13 career innings pitched at Marlins Park, Eickhoff has surrendered just one run, 10 hits and two walks while striking out 13 batters. The Phillies right-hander is tied with Arizona Diamondbacks southpaw Patrick Corbin and Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Jimmy Nelson for the most losing decisions in the National League this season, 13.

Jake Esch — Age: 26;

• Last Start: August 31, 2016, at NYM: ND, 4.1 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO, HR
• Career vs. PHI: N/A

Esch was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans on August 31 as the replacement to injured RHP David Phelps (oblique). In his major league debut against the Mets at Citi Field, the St. Paul, Minnesota native received a no-decision, where in 4 1/3 innings he allowed seven hits, two runs and three walks while striking out two batters over 71 pitches and 41 strikes.

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

• First pitch: 1:10 p.m.
• TV: CSN
• Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game Notes:

• Phillies starters have held the Marlins offense to one run or fewer in six of their last eight games, according to MLB.com. Eickhoff has received the third-fewest run support among MLB starters this season, however, with 3.56 runs per nine innings. Nine of the right-hander's 13 losing decisions this season have come with him allowing three runs or fewer.
• Since 2011, the Phillies have gone 4-1 on Labor Day, including the combined no-hitter by LHP Cole Hamels, LHP Jake Diekman, RHP Ken Giles and RHP Jonathan Papelbon on Sept. 1, 2014 at Turner Field.
• Over the last two seasons, the Phillies and Marlins are 16-16 through 32 games against each other, having gone 8-8 both home and away at their respective stadiums. The Phillies have lost two straight games at Marlins Park, which opened in 2012.

Standings:

What's Next:

• Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016: at Miami Marlins, 7:10 p.m.
• Marlins Park
  
• LHP Adam Morgan (1-9, 6.21 ERA) vs. RHP Jose Urena (3-5, 5.40 ERA)
• TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP