Having been swept in two consecutive series, the Philadelphia Phillies (19-33) will seek to win their first game tonight since May 23 as they welcome former Phillie outfielder Marlon Byrd (2002-2005, 2014) and the Cincinnati Reds (22-27) to town.
Byrd, 37, is hitting .209 this season with ten home runs and 25 runs-batted-in. He batted .278 with eight home runs and 32 runs-batted-in at the same point last season with the Phillies.
The 2010 National League All-Star was traded to the Reds on December 31, 2014 for minor league right hander Ben Lively. Over nine starts with the Reading Fightin Phils this season, Lively, 23, is (4-2) with a 3.81 ERA.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Cincinnati Reds (22-27) | Philadelphia Phillies (19-33) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Johnny Cueto | RHP | Sean O'Sullivan | ||
| (3-4, 3.03 ERA) | (1-4, 4.81 ERA) | ||||
Cueto, 29, will start for the tenth time in his career against the Phillies this evening, and the fifth at Citizens Bank Park. Including Game 3 of the 2010 NLDS on October 10, 2010, Cueto is (1-5) with a 5.15 ERA in 50.2 innings, having allowed 29 earned runs over 53 hits and 14 walks.
Over 28.1 innings in four May starts, the Reds' right hander went 2-2 with a 4.45 ERA, allowing 14 earned runs. He has a .690 winning percentage (20-9) in the month of June throughout his career, which is his best ahead of .594 overall in the month of May (19-13).
For the Phillies, O'Sullivan will take the mound for the seventh time this season, and the second of his career against the Reds. Back on July 29, 2013 with the San Diego Padres, he allowed just one run in six innings of work.
For the 27-year-old California-native, his statistics at home are night-and-day compared to those away from South Philadelphia. O'Sullivan has allowed just two home runs five earned runs in 17.0 innings at Citizens Bank Park this season, opposed to seven home runs and 13 earned runs away in 16.2 innings. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is also one point higher at Citizens Bank Park.
O'Sullivan has allowed 16 hits, two walks, nine earned runs and five home runs in 11.2 total innings over his past two starts.
Starting Lineups:
Cincinnati Reds (22-27)
- Brandon Phillips, 2B
- Joey Votto, 1B
- Todd Frazier, 3B
- Jay Bruce, RF
- Brayan Pena, C
- Marlon Byrd, LF
- Zack Cozart, SS
- Johnny Cueto, P
- Billy Hamilton, CF
Philadelphia Phillies (19-33)
- Ben Revere, RF
- Freddy Galvis, SS
- Chase Utley, 2B
- Ryan Howard, 1B
- Maikel Franco, 3B
- Cody Asche, LF
- Odubel Herrera, CF
- Carlos Ruiz, C
- Sean O'Sullivan, P
Game Notes:
- In 18 career at-bats against Cueto, first baseman Ryan Howard has four hits, all of which were for extra bases: two doubles, one triple, one home run (.222/.364/.611)
- Byrd is 3-5 in his career against O'Sullivan with two doubles and a home run (.600/.600/1.600)
- The Cincinnati Reds are 13-26 all-time at Citizens Bank Park
Broadcast Information:
- First-pitch: 7:05 pm EST
- TV: CSN
- Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
What's Next:
- Wednesday, June 3, 2015: vs. Cincinnati Reds, 7:05 pm
- RHP Mike Leake (2-4, 4.66 ERA) vs. LHP Cole Hamels (5-4, 2.91 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
- Thursday, June 4, 2015: vs. Cincinnati Reds, 7:05 pm
- RHP Anthony DeSclafani (3-4, 3.41 ERA) vs. TBA
- TV: CSN; Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
Matt Rappa (@mattrappa) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
