Atlanta, GA – Having dropped 11 of their last 13 games played against National League East opponents, and three consecutive games overall, the Philadelphia Phillies (56-91) will look to rebound tonight as they begin a three-game series against the second-worst team in baseball, the Atlanta Braves (57-90).
The Braves have lost 26 of their last 30 games, and 41 of their last 53. They will have a losing record for just the fourth time over the last 25 seasons (1991).
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (56-91) | Atlanta Braves (57-90) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LHP | Adam Morgan | RHP | Williams Perez | ||
| (5-6, 4.60 ERA) | (5-6, 5.36 ERA) | ||||
Morgan, 25, will make his 15th career appearance on the mound tonight, and his third against the Braves.
The Phillies' rookie southpaw has allowed at least two extra-base hits in four of his last five starts, combing to surrender 17 earned runs over 28.0 innings for a 5.46 ERA.
Perez, 24, has just one winning decision over his past 10 starts which date back to June 26.
Batters are hitting .293/.378/.435 with 11 home runs, 17 doubles and two triples against the rookie right hander this season over 99.0 innings.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (56-91) | Atlanta Braves (57-90) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S | 1 | RF | Nick Markakis | L |
| 2 | LF | Aaron Altherr | R | 2 | 2B | Daniel Castro | R |
| 3 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | 3 | 1B | Freddie Freeman | L |
| 4 | 1B | Darin Ruf | R | 4 | LF | Adonis Garcia | R |
| 5 | 2B | Andres Blanco | S | 5 | CF | Cameron Maybin | R |
| 6 | 3B | Cody Asche | L | 6 | SS | Andrelton Simmons | R |
| 7 | C | Cameron Rupp | R | 7 | 3B | Hector Olivera | R |
| 8 | RF | Brian Bogusevic | L | 8 | C | Christian Bethancourt | R |
| 9 | P | Adam Morgan | L | 9 | P | Williams Perez | R |
Game Notes:
- Phillies closer Ken Giles leads all National League relievers in earned run average (1.43), and is second in baseball behind Wade Davis of the Kansas City Royals (0.89). Giles is on pace to become the first Phillie to lead the NL in ERA since Billy Wagner in 2005 (1.51).
- When hitting third in the order this season, rookie center fielder Odubel Herrera is batting .303/.361/.342 with 23 hits over 83 plate appearances. Herrera ranks second for big-league rookies in doubles (27), third in batting average (.296), and fourth in stolen bases (14).
- The Phillies have lost four of their six games played at Turner Field so far this season, despite outhitting the Braves 61 to 56.
Broadcast Information:
- First-pitch: 7:35 pm EST
- TV: CSN
- Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
What's Next:
- Saturday, September 19, 2015: at Atlanta Braves, 7:10 pm
- RHP Jerad Eickhoff (1-3, 3.90 ERA) vs. RHP Ryan Weber (0-1, 4.38 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
- Sunday, September 20, 2015: at Atlanta Braves, 1:35 pm
- RHP Aaron Nola (6-2, 4.11 ERA) vs. RHP Julio Teheran (10-7, 4.34 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
Matt Rappa (@mattrappa) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
