Phillies vie for 50th win in doubleheader behind Eflin, Nola

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

The Philadelphia Phillies (49-38) and the New York Mets (35-51) will open a four-game set Monday at Citi Field, as Zach Eflin and All-Star Aaron Nola respectively start in doubleheader action opposite Zack Wheeler and rookie Corey Oswalt. The second game is a makeup of the April 2 snowed-out game.

Eflin will aim for his seventh straight win. The last Phillie to accomplish such feat was southpaw Cliff Lee, July 30, 2011, to Sept. 5, 2011. Over this stretch, Lee posted a 0.96 ERA, 56-10 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and .187/.238/.228 opposing slash in 56 1/3 innings. Since June 5, Eflin is 6-0 with a 1.91 ERA, 34-6 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and .213/.255/.301 opposing slash in 37 2/3 innings.

Nearly 24 hours after receiving his first-career All-Star nod, Nola will pitch for a National League-best 12 wins. The right-hander is the National League leader in wins (11) and winning percentage (.846), and ranks third in innings pitched (116), fourth in WHIP (1.03), fifth in ERA (2.41) and sixth in strikeouts (116).

Despite losing 4-1 to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday, the Phillies remain tied with the Atlanta Braves for the National League East lead. The Phillies and Braves hold a two-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers for the second National League Wild Card spot.

Starting Pitching Matchups:

RHP Zach Eflin, Age: 24

• 2018 vs. NYM: N/A
• Career vs. NYM: 0-2, 4.41 ERA, 3 G, 3 GS, 16 1/3 IP, 15 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 3 HR, 5 BB, 11 SO, 1.224 WHIP
• Career at Citi Field: 0-0, 1.80 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 4 SO, 1.200 WHIP

RHP Aaron Nola, Age: 25

• 2018 vs. NYM: 1-0, 2.45 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 11 IP, 13 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 6 BB, 8 SO, 1.727 WHIP
• Career vs. NYM: 3-1, 4.67 ERA, 5 G, 5 GS, 27 IP, 31 H, 14 R, 14 ER, 6 HR, 12 BB, 22 SO, 1.593 WHIP
• Career at Citi Field: 1-1, 7.71 ERA, 3 G, 3 GS, 14 IP, 20 H, 12 R, 12 ER, 4 HR, 8 BB, 10 SO, 2.000 WHIP

RHP Zack Wheeler, Age: 28

• 2018 vs. PHI: N/A
• Career vs. PHI: 3-1, 2.82 ERA, 8 G, 8 GS, 44 2/3 IP, 36 H, 16 R, 14 ER, 5 HR, 13 BB, 45 SO, 1.097 WHIP
• Career at Citi Field: 8-20, 4.78 ERA, 38 G, 38 GS, 212 2/3 IP, 217 H, 120 R, 113 ER, 27 HR, 95 BB, 207 SO, 1.467 WHIP

RHP Corey Oswalt, Age: 24

• 2018 vs. PHI: N/A
• Career vs. PHI: N/A
• Career at Citi Field: N/A

Game 1 Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

• Game 1 first pitch: 4:10 p.m.
• Game 2 first pitch: 7:10 p.m. (tentative)
• TV: NBCSP
• Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game Notes:

• The Phillies played three doubleheaders last season, all against National League East opponents — May 14 at Nationals, August 22 vs. Marlins, and August 30 vs. Braves. The club split the first doubleheader, but were swept in each of August meetings.
• The Phillies and Mets last played in a doubleheader against each other on Sept. 24, 2011, also at Citi Field. The Mets won both games, 2-1 and 6-3. Both clubs will play another doubleheader this season, August 16 at Citizens Bank Park.
• Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco has a five-game hitting streak, slashing .467/.529/.533 with six singles, one double, two RBI, two walks — both intentional — and two strikeouts spanning 17 plate appearances.
• Manager Gabe Kapler's squad is just 1-3 against the Mets this season, outscored 11-7. The Phillies won their most recent game against the Mets, 4-2, behind Nola on May 13 at Citizens Bank Park.

What's Next:

Tuesday, July 10, 2018: at New York Mets, 7:10 p.m.

• Citi Field, Queens, N.Y.
• RHP Enyel De Los Santos (MLB debut) vs. RHP Drew Gagnon (MLB debut)
• TV: NBCSP, MLBN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP