New York, NY – With just 30 games left to be played in the 2015 season, the Philadelphia Phillies (52-80) will look to avoid losing a franchise-record 11 consecutive games against the division-leading New York Mets (73-58) Tuesday evening.
A loss tonight would also guarantee the Phillies having their worst season series record ever in opposition of the Mets. Philadelphia has lost 13 of the 14 meetings so far this season, and is 0-7 at Citi Field.
Given that the month of September has arrived, any player on the 40-man roster is now eligible to play for the major league club.
Tuesday morning, the Phillies announced that they have promoted catcher Erik Kratz from Triple-A Lehigh Valley, along with right handers Dalier Hinojosa and Colton Murray.
Kratz and Murray replaced veteran arms in Chad Billingsley and Matt Harrison, who were transferred to the 60-day disabled list according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (52-80) | New York Mets (73-58) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Aaron Harang | LHP | Jon Niese | ||
| (5-14, 4.79 ERA) | (8-9, 3.95 ERA) | ||||
Harang, 37, is 0-3 in the month of August with an 8.04 ERA (25 earned runs in 28.0 innings). Opposing batters are hitting .316/.386/.607 against the right hander during this stretch with 20 singles, seven doubles, three triples and seven home runs.
In nine career starts at Citi Field, Harang is 4-3 with a 3.20 ERA and 1.362 WHIP ratio.
Over his last five starts against the Phillies at Citi Field, Niese, 28, has allowed just six earned runs on 29 hits and seven walks in 36.0 innings for an even 1.000 WHIP ratio.
The eight-year veteran southpaw has a 60-60 career win-loss record with a 3.88 ERA over 174 games and 1,044 1/3 innings.
Niese last opposed the Phillies on August 27 at Citizens Bank Park. He received a no-decision despite allowing five runs on five hits and five walks. Niese surrendered a two-out, two-run home run to first baseman Darin Ruf that outing, his 11th given up to the Phillies spanning 22 starts.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (52-80) | New York Mets (73-58) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | CF | Darnell Sweeney | S | 1 | RF | Curtis Granderson | L |
| 2 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 2 | CF | Yoenis Cespedes | R |
| 3 | LF | Aaron Altherr | R | 3 | 2B | Daniel Murphy | L |
| 4 | RF | Jeff Francoeur | R | 4 | 3B | David Wright | R |
| 5 | 1B | Darin Ruf | R | 5 | LF | Michael Conforto | L |
| 6 | 3B | Andres Blanco | S | 6 | 1B | Michael Cuddyer | R |
| 7 | C | Carlos Ruiz | R | 7 | C | Travis d'Arnaud | R |
| 8 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S | 8 | SS | Ruben Tejada | R |
| 9 | P | Aaron Harang | R | 9 | P | Jon Niese | L |
Game Notes:
- The Phillies finished the month of August with a 12-16 win-loss record. They have finished over .500 in just one out of the five months played this season, when they went 13-12 in July under newly-named interim manager Pete Mackanin. The Phillies' worst month of the 2015 season occurred in June (8-19).
- Kratz returns to the Phillies' big-league roster for the first time since 2013. The 35-year-old catcher hit .312/.433/.558 with eight doubles, on triple, three home runs and 15 runs-batted-in over 97 plate appearances with the IronPigs upon his promotion.
- Phillies first baseman Darin Ruf has two career home runs against Niese in 14 at-bats.
Broadcast Information:
- First-pitch: 7:10 pm EST
- TV: CSN
- Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
What's Next:
- Wednesday, September 2, 2015: at New York Mets, 7:10 pm
- RHP Aaron Nola (5-1, 3.26 ERA) vs. RHP Matt Harvey (11-7, 2.48 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
Matt Rappa (@mattrappasports) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
