By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Looking to start their seven-game road trip on a positive note, the National League-best Philadelphia Phillies (11-6) will take on the Colorado Rockies (6-12) in the first of a four-game series Thursday evening at Coors Field. Right-hander Zach Eflin will oppose southpaw Kyle Freeland.
Prior to the game, the Phillies activated outfielder Roman Quinn (strained right oblique) from the 10-day injured list, while placing fellow outfielder Odubel Herrera (right hamstring strain). Quinn will make his season debut in place of the once-Phillies All-Star. Scott Kingery — who is slashing .571/.609/1.048 over his last eight games and 23 plate appearances with six singles, four doubles, two home runs, six RBI, and just three strikeouts — who make his second straight start at shortstop in place of Phillies hits leader Jean Segura (hamstring).
The Phillies have the third-best MLB winning percentage (.647), whereas the Rockies have the fifth-worst (.333). Likewise, in the National League, the Phillies have the third-best run differential (+17), whereas the Rockies have the second-worst (-23).
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (11-6) | Colorado Rockies (6-12) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Zach Eflin | LHP | Kyle Freeland | ||
| (2-1, 3.94 ERA) | (1-3, 5.40 ERA) | ||||
RHP Zach Eflin, Age: 25
- Career vs. COL: 1-2, 9.20 ERA, 3 G, 3 GS, 14 2/3 IP, 22 H, 15 R, 15 ER, 3 HR, 7 BB, 10 SO, 1.977 WHIP
- Career at Coors Field: 1-1, 7.27 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 8 2/3 IP, 12 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 0 HR, 5 BB, 6 SO, 1.962 WHIP
Eflin will make his third road start this season out of four overall. In his most recent start, Saturday on the road against the Miami Marlins, the right-hander yielded six runs on five singles, three home runs and two doubles.
RHP Kyle Freeland, Age: 25
- Career vs. PHI: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 1/3 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, SO, 3.000 WHIP
- Career at Coors Field: 16-11, 3.30 ERA, 35 G, 32 GS, 185 2/3 IP, 175 H, 73 R, 68 ER, 19 HR, 70 BB, 155 SO, 1.320 WHIP
Freeland's only career start against the Phillies — August 4, 2017, was a quick one at Coors Field, as he retired just one of his two batters faced. Freeland was pulled after tweaking his leg when delivering a pitch to Aaron Altherr. The Denver, Colorado, native had a rookie-best 11 wins entering the start, according to FOX Sports.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (11-6) | Colorado Rockies (6-12) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | LF | Andrew McCutchen | R | 1 | RF | Charlie Blackmon | L |
| 2 | SS | Scott Kingery | R | 2 | CF | David Dahl | L |
| 3 | RF | Bryce Harper | L | 3 | 3B | Nolan Arenado | R |
| 4 | 1B | Rhys Hoskins | R | 4 | SS | Trevor Story | R |
| 5 | C | J.T. Realmuto | R | 5 | 1B | Ryan McMahon | L |
| 6 | CF | Roman Quinn | S | 6 | LF | Raimel Tapia | L |
| 7 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 7 | 2B | Garrett Hampson | R |
| 8 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | 8 | C | Tony Wolters | L |
| 9 | P | Zach Eflin | R | 9 | P | Kyle Freeland | L |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 8:40 p.m.
- TV: NBCSP+
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- The Phillies hold a 1 1/2-game lead in the National League East. In their respective Thursday matinees, the Atlanta Braves lost opposite the Arizona Diamondbacks, 4-1, while the Washington Nationals defeated the San Francisco Giants, 4-2. The New York Mets and Miami Marlins are both off.
- Rockies oufielder Ian Desmond (general leg soreness) and catcher Chris Iannetta (mild lat strain) are both out. On Thursday, the Rockies activated OF David Dahl (left side/core) and 1B Ryan McMahon (sprained left elbow). They sent down OF Yonathan Daza and 1B Josh Fuentes as corresponding moves.
- The Phillies have lost six of their last seven games at Coors Field dating back to August 4, 2017, Freeland's only career start against the Phillies. At the venue since then, the club has been outscored 53-18 and outhit 77-57. The Phillies are 3-7 over their last 10 games overall against the Rockies.
- Rockies shortstop Trevor Story has a six-game hitting streak; over this stretch, he is slashing .333/.357/.370 with three runs scored, nine hits, one RBI, one walk and seven strikeouts over 27 at-bats.
- Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper has just as many career strikeouts (2) as hits (2) spanning eight career at-bats against Freeland. Harper has reached base in 20 consecutive games dating back to last season. Rockies leadoff batter Charlie Blackmon has slashed .571/.625/1.429 spanning seven career at-bats opposite Eflin with two singles, two home runs, four RBI, one walk and two strikeouts.
What's Next:
- Friday, April 19, 2019: vs. Colorado Rockies, 8:40 p.m.
- Coors Field, Denver, Co.
- RHP Vince Velasquez (0-0, 2.25 ERA) vs. RHP German Marquez (2-1, 2.00 ERA)
- TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
