Eflin set for season debut as Phillies look to snap 3-game skid

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

The Philadelphia Phillies (16-12) will look to snap their three-game skid in the second of a three-game series against the Miami Marlins (10-18) Tuesday evening at Marlins Park. Right-hander Zach Eflin will make his season debut, while opposing Marlins southpaw Jarlin Garcia.

Eflin fills the vacated rotation spot of injured RHP Ben Lively, who was placed on the 10-day disabled list on April 27 with a lower back strain.

The Phillies fell 8-4 in the series opener, as RHP Jake Arrieta struggled through 3 2/3 innings, allowing six runs on eight hits and two walks (79 pitches). The last time Arrieta threw fewer then four frames in an outing was May 9, 2017, against the Colorado Rockies. The right-hander's streak of 18 straight starts of allowing three or fewer earned runs also ended. Jorge Alfaro and Maikel Franco each produced a two-run blasts, their third and fourth of the season, respectively.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

RHP Zach Eflin, Age: 24

• Career vs. MIA: 0-1, 12.60 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 5 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 1 SO, 2.600 WHIP
• Career at Marlins Park: 0-1, 12.60 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 5 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 1 SO, 2.600 WHIP

In four starts this season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Eflin posted a 4.05 ERA, 15-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 1.250 WHIP spanning 20 innings. The right-hander allowed no home runs, and only five of his 20 surrendered hits went for extra bases, all of which were doubles.

Eflin's first and only career appearance against the Marlins came on July 27, 2016, in a blowout 11-1 defeat. The loss came one start after Eflin tossed a three-hit road shutout against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

LHP Jarlin Garcia, Age: 25

• Career vs. PHI: 1-0, 8.18 ERA, 10 G, 0 GS, 11 IP, 12 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 3 HR, 5 BB, 8 SO, 1.545 WHIP
• Career at Marlins Park: 0-1, 3.26 ERA, 36 G, 1 GS, 38 2/3 IP, 23 H, 14 R, 14 ER, 1 HR, 13 BB, 29 SO, 0.931 WHIP

Garcia will make his fourth career start and his second overall appearance this season against the Phillies. In four innings of relief against manager Gabe Kapler's club on April 5, Garcia surrendered two runs, two walks, two singles, one triple and one home run on 73 pitches and 47 strikes.

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

• First pitch: 7:10 p.m.
• TV: NBCSP
• Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game Notes:

• Active Hit Streaks: PHI: Maikel Franco (6); MIA: J.T. Realmuto (9)
• Odubel Herrera has reached base safely in a career-best 30 straight games, the longest active such streak in baseball.
• Prior to the series opener on Monday, the Phillies placed RHP Victor Arano on the 10-day disabled list, retroactive to April 29, with a mild right rotator cuff strain and recalled LHP Zac Curtis from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Curtis replaces RHP Jake Thompson, who was optioned following Sunday's series inale against the Atlanta Braves. Arano began the season with 8 1/3 perfect relief innings, but has recently faltered.
• Injured Phillies RHPs Jerad Eickhoff (lat) and Mark Leiter (forearm) are throwing live batting practice sessions early this week.
• The Phillies finished the opening month of the season (March/April) with a 16-12 record. The 16 wins are the third-most March/April victories in club history, tying 2003 (16-12) and trailing only 1993 and 2011 (17-5). The Phillies' 130 runs scored are their most in March/April since scoring 133 during this span in 2008.
• Franco, who is slashing .333/.348/.619 with two home runs and five RBI over his last six games, is 2-4 lifetime against Garcia with a triple, home run and two RBI.

What's Next:

• Wednesday, May 2, 2018: at Miami Marlins, 7:10 p.m.
  • Marlins Park, Miami, Fla.
  • RHP Aaron Nola (3-1, 2.58 ERA) vs. RHP Jose Urena (0-4, 4.91 ERA)
  • TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP