Phillies turn to Hellickson as series continues against Koehler, Marlins

Matt Rappa

May 7 2016

By: Matt Rappa, managing editor

MIAMI — Having lost four of their last five games — outscored 25-12 by their opponents — the Philadelphia Phillies (16-14) will turn to right-hander Jeremy Hellickson in the middle game of a three-game set against the Miami Marlins (16-12) Saturday evening at Marlins Park.

The Marlins — who have won 11 of their last 12 games — will send right-hander Tom Koehler to the mound against the Phillies. Their only loss during this 12-game, MLB-best stretch came during Koehler's most recent outing, a 14-5 defeat to the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

Philadelphia Phillies (16-14)			Miami Marlins (16-12)
RHP	Jeremy Hellickson		RHP	Tom Koehler
RHP	(2-2, 4.88 ERA)		RHP	(2-3, 7.25 ERA)

Jeremy Hellickson — Age: 29;

Last Start: May 2, 2016, at STL: L, 5.1 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 5 SO, 3 HR
Career vs. MIA: (0-1), 4 GS, 22.2 IP, 21 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 9 BB, 16 SO, 3 HR, 3.97 ERA

Hellickson's six earned runs and three home runs allowed in his most recent start Monday against the St. Louis Cardials was his most allowed in both categories since August 1 of last season in opposition of the Houston Astros.

In two career appearances at Marlins Park, the right-hander has allowed three runs on nine hits and eight walks, striking out seven batters over 10 1/3 innings.

Tom Koehler — Age: 29;

Last Start: May 1, 2016, at MIL: L, 2.1 IP, 8 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 2 BB, 0 SO, 2 HR
Career vs. PHI: (2-3), 11 G, 9 GS, 53.2 IP, 55 H, 32 R, 27 ER, 19 BB, 46 SO, 5 HR, 4.53 ERA

Koehler is coming off of the shortest start of his five-year, 106-game career. He allowed 10 of his 16 faced batters to reach base (eight hits, two walks), yielding eight runs in just 2 1/3 innings.

The right-hander faced the Phillies four times last season and was 0-2 with a 5.14 ERA and 1.476 WHIP ratio.

Starting Lineups:

Philadelphia Phillies (16-14)				Miami Marlins (16-12)
	Position	Player	Bats		Position	Player	Bats
1	CF	Odubel Herrera	L	1	2B	Derek Dietrich	L
2	2B	Cesar Hernandez	S	2	SS	Adeiny Hechavarria	R
3	3B	Maikel Franco	R	3	LF	Christian Yelich	L
4	1B	Ryan Howard	L	4	RF	Giancarlo Stanton	R
5	C	Carlos Ruiz	R	5	1B	Justin Bour	L
6	SS	Freddy Galvis	S	6	CF	Marcell Ozuna	R
7	LF	David Lough	L	7	3B	Chris Johnson	R
8	P	Jeremy Hellickson	R	8	C	Jeff Mathis	R
9	RF	Peter Bourjos	R	9	P	Tom Koehler	R

Broadcast Information:

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

Game Notes:

The Phillies have lost three consecutive games at Marlins Park and five of their last six games against the Marlins overall.
Over his last five games — all in the leadoff position — Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera has a .450 batting average with two runs scored, a walk and a solo home run. Herrera has raised his average from .301 to .330, which is sixth-best in the National League, during this stretch.
The Phillies currently rank 29th in Major League Baseball in team batting average, .227. Their 52.2 percent stolen base failure rate trails just the Los Angeles Angels for the worst in baseball, having successfully converted only 11 of their 23 attempts.
Saturday evening will be the second meeting all-time between Hellickson and Koehler, with the first coming nearly one year ago: Tuesday, May 19, 2015, at Marlins Park as the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the Marlins, 4-2.
Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton has 71 hits in as many career games against the Phillies with 11 doubles, one triple, 18 home runs and 40 runs-batted-in.
In six career plate appearances against Hellickson, Stanton is 1-6 with a two-run home run and two walks. Stanton delivered the game-winning runs in Friday evening's 6-4 victory over the Phillies — a 475-foot two-run home run that traveled 112.8 miles per hour off the bat.