By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
In a battle between the National League's top two teams, the Philadelphia Phillies (33-23) and RHP Jake Arrieta will oppose the Los Angeles Dodgers (38-19) and RHP Kenta Maeda in the three-game series opener and six-game road trip opener Friday evening at Dodger Stadium.
Bryce Harper on facing the BEST team in the NL in the LA Dodgers
"we're pretty dang good too" @6abc #Phillies #Dodgers #BryceHarper #RingtheBell pic.twitter.com/OJg2mupqr7
— Jeff Skversky 6abc (@JeffSkversky) May 31, 2019
Prior to the game, the Phillies placed RHP Zach Eflin on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to May 28, with mid-back tightness. Southpaw Cole Irvin was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley as the corresponding move.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (33-23) | Los Angeles Dodgers (38-19) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Jake Arrieta | RHP | Kenta Maeda | ||
| (5-4, 3.60 ERA) | (6-2, 3.67 ERA) | ||||
RHP Jake Arrieta, Age: 33
- Career vs. LAD: 3-3, 3.07 ERA, 7 G, 7 GS, 44 IP, 26 H, 16 R, 15 ER, 3 HR, 20 BB, 49 SO, 1.045 WHIP
- Career at Dodger Stadium: 2-2, 2.67 ERA, 4 G, 4 GS, 27 IP, 17 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 2 HR, 9 BB, 29 SO, 0.963 WHIP
Over his last two starts — both on the road — Arrieta has combined to throw 14 innings while allowing only three runs, good for a 1.93 ERA. The right-hander has allowed three earned runs or less in eight of his 11 starts overall in his second season in red pinstripes.
RHP Kenta Maeda, Age: 31
- Career vs. PHI: 3-1, 4.55 ERA, 6 G, 6 GS, 29 2/3 IP, 26 H, 15 R, 15 ER, 8 HR, 7 BB, 33 SO, 1.112 WHIP
- Career at Dodger Stadium: 24-14, 3.07 ERA, 53 G, 41 GS, 246 IP, 203 H, 94 H, 84 ER, 27 HR, 70 BB, 272 SO, 1.110 WHIP
Maeda has won each of his four home starts this season, combining to allow just four runs while tossing no fewer than six innings in each. In his most recent outing, Sunday against the Pirates, the right-hander surrendered a pair of home runs but still came away with the winning decision. Maeda will make just his second start since his recent injured list stint (thigh).
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (33-23) | Los Angeles Dodgers (38-19) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | CF | Andrew McCutchen | R | 1 | LF | Joc Pederson | L |
| 2 | SS | Jean Segura | R | 2 | 3B | Max Muncy | L |
| 3 | RF | Bryce Harper | L | 3 | SS | Corey Seager | L |
| 4 | 1B | Rhys Hoskins | R | 4 | RF | Cody Bellinger | L |
| 5 | C | J.T. Realmuto | R | 5 | 1B | Matt Beaty | L |
| 6 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 6 | CF | Alex Verdugo | L |
| 7 | 3B | Scott Kingery | R | 7 | 2B | Enrique Hernandez | R |
| 8 | LF | Nick Williams | L | 8 | C | Will Smith | R |
| 9 | P | Jake Arrieta | R | 9 | P | Kenta Maeda | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 10:10 p.m.
- TV: NBCSP
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- Entering Friday, the Phillies trail the Dodgers by 4 1/2 games for the best record in the National League.
- The Dodgers and Phillies respectively have the best and second-best record among NL teams on Friday-Sunday games this season, .741 and .731.
- Prior to the game, manager Gabe Kapler announced that RHP Victor Arano (elbow surgery) will need 2 1/3 to 3 months before he can begin a throwing program. Arano has not been ruled out for the entire season yet, however.
- The Phillies' 17 wins this month are their most in 10 years, notes NBC Sports Philadelphia's John Clark, who adds that if the club wins on Friday, "18 wins would be their most in May in 18 years."
- Dodgers manager Dave Roberts turned 47 on Friday; he will not be managing the series opener because he will watch his son Cole, graduate from high school. Bench coach Bob Geren will manage in his place.
- Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner will miss his second straight after tweaking his right hamstring in the ninth inning on Wednesday. Turner has logged the third-most singles in the NL this season (43), slashing .306/.392/.446 in 51 games.
- Dodgers Hitting Streaks:
- Right fielder Cody Bellinger has logged a hit in seven straight games, slashing .276/.382/.690 with seven runs scored, eight hits, three home runs, eight RBI, five walks and two strikeouts spanning 29 at-bats.
- Shortstop Corey Seager has a hit in six straight, slashing .375/.483/.750 with seven runs scored, nine hits, two home runs, seven RBI, four walks and two strikeouts over 24 at-bats.
- First baseman David Freese is riding a five-game hitting streak (.500/.588/.857), although he is out of Friday's lineup.
- Phillies 2019 season series record: 11-4-3.
Bryce Harper's series vs. the Cardinals: 8-for-12, 5 doubles, 1 HR, 7 RBIs
The only other #Phillies hitter in the expansion era with 8+ hits, 6+ XBH & 7+ RBIs in any series of 3 G or shorter:
Rico Brogna! 9×14, 9 RBIs, 7 XBH, vs. the Padres, Aug. 23-25, 1999
h/t @EliasSports
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) May 31, 2019
- Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper has eight hits in his last 11 plate appearances, including five doubles and one home run. Harper has never opposed Maeda in his career (click to expand).
What's Next:
- Saturday, June 1, 2019: at Los Angeles Dodgers, 10:10 p.m.
- Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, Calif.
- TBA vs. LHP Clayton Kershaw (5-0, 3.46 ERA)
- TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Gabe Kapler said the #Phillies have not decided who will start tomorrow night with Zach Eflin on the IL. Will depend on what happens tonight and how LA lineup might look tomorrow. Cole Irvin, Vince Velasquez are possibilities.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) May 31, 2019
