By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
After taking the series against the National League-best Milwaukee Brewers, the Philadelphia Phillies (37-32) return home for a brief three-game set against the St. Louis Cardinals (37-32), starting Monday evening in a matchup between right-handers Miles Mikolas and Nick Pivetta.
Thanks to multiple-RBI performances from Rhys Hoskins (2), Maikel Franco (4) and Nick Williams (2), the Phillies edged the Milwaukee Brewers 10-9 in Sunday's series finale. Hoskins homered for the third time in four games, while Franco snapped an 0-11 skid dating back to June 6 with a two-run blast in the fourth. Starter Aaron Nola tossed a season-low 4 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits and four walks on 92 pitches. Right-handed relievers Tommy Hunter and the recently-recalled Jake Thompson respectively picked up their second win and save of the season.
The Phillies and Cardinals split their four-game series at Busch Stadium III, May 17-20. Manager Mike Matheny's club respectively outscored and outhit the Phillies 25-18 and 42-27 in the series. Both clubs have identical records overall this season and are tied a 1/2 game back for the second Wild Card spot, currently held by the Washington Nationals.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| St. Louis Cardinals (37-32) | Philadelphia Phillies (37-32) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Miles Mikolas | RHP | Nick Pivetta | ||
| (7-2, 2.43 ERA) | (4-6, 4.25 ERA) | ||||
RHP Miles Mikolas, Age: 29
- Career vs. PHI: 0-0, 18.00 ERA, 1 G, 0 GS, 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 0 SO, 4.000 WHIP
- Career at Citizens Bank Park: 0-0, 18.00 ERA, 1 G, 0 GS, 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 0 SO, 4.000 WHIP
Mikolas is one of five National League pitchers to toss a complete game shutout this season. His last and only appearance against the Phillies came as a reliever in his fourth career appearance with the San Diego Padres on May 11, 2012. Phillies hitters that hit against the right-hander that game included: Placido Polanco, Shane Victorino, Hunter Pence, Ty Wigginton, Carlos Ruiz and John Mayberry Jr.
RHP Nick Pivetta, Age: 25
- Career vs. STL: 0-1, 5.73 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 11 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 2 HR, 5 BB, 12 SO, 1.182 WHIP
- Career at Citizens Bank Park: 7-6, 4.42 ERA, 20 G, 20 GS, 110 IP, 105 H, 56 R, 54 ER, 18 HR, 31 BB, 131 SO, 1.236 WHIP
Pivetta has lost each of his last four starts, tossing no more than five innings while posting a single-game WHIP and ERA no less than 1.200 and 3.60, respectively. The right-hander has a 3.13 ERA at home this season (46 innings), as opposed to a 6.23 ERA on the road (26 innings).
Starting Lineups:
| St. Louis Cardinals (37-32) | Philadelphia Phillies (37-32) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 3B | Matt Carpenter | L | 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 2 | CF | Tommy Pham | R | 2 | LF | Rhys Hoskins | R |
| 3 | 1B | Jose Martinez | R | 3 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L |
| 4 | LF | Marcell Ozuna | R | 4 | 1B | Carlos Santana | S |
| 5 | C | Yadier Molina | R | 5 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 6 | 2B | Jedd Gyorko | R | 6 | RF | Nick Williams | L |
| 7 | RF | Harrison Bader | R | 7 | C | Andrew Knapp | S |
| 8 | SS | Yairo Munoz | R | 8 | P | Nick Pivetta | R |
| 9 | P | Miles Mikolas | R | 9 | SS | J.P. Crawford | L |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
- TV: NBCSP
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- Sunday's win over the Brewers secured the Phillies consecutive series wins for the first time since April 9-15. The Phillies have won five of their last seven games, averaging 5.1 runs per game.
- The Phillies have not won a series against the Cardinals since August 22-24, 2014.
#Phillies have selected the contract of LHP Austin Davis from Lehigh Valley (AAA).
To make room for him on the 25-man roster, RHP Héctor Neris has been optioned to Lehigh Valley. pic.twitter.com/c1RoYUaO1W
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 18, 2018
- The only active Phillie to have previously faced Mikolas is first baseman Carlos Santana (0-2, BB). Third baseman Matt Carpenter, right fielder Dexter Fowler and catcher Yadier Molina are a combined 0-13 lifetime against Pivetta with two walks and five strikeouts. Second baseman Jedd Gyorko is 4-5 all-time against Pivetta with a double, home run and four RBI.
What's Next:
Tuesday, June 19, 2018: vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 7:05 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pa.
- RHP Luke Weaver (3-6, 4.52 ERA) vs. RHP Vince Velasquez (5-7, 4.74 ERA)
- TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
