By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Right-hander Ben Lively will look for his first win of the season as the Philadelphia Phillies (11-7) face nine-year veteran RHP Ivan Nova and the Pittsburgh Pirates (12-7) Friday evening at Citizens Bank Park.
The Phillies opened their 10-game homestand with a 7-0 rout of the Pirates, behind a dominating performance from RHP Jake Arrieta. Arrieta improved to 2-0 and became the first Phillies pitcher to record a double-digit strikeout game and allow one hit or fewer since Cole Hamels' July 2015 no-hitter, which was ironically in opposition of Arrieta, per Phillies Manager of Baseball Communications Chris Ware. Rhys Hoskins powered his way to his third home run of the season, while Odubel Herrera and Cesar Hernandez produced two and three additional RBI, respectively. Victor Arano tossed another perfect inning, extending his streak of retiring 32 consecutive batters dating back to Sept. 27, 2017.
A win of Friday would be just the third time since June 2012 that the Phillies won consecutive games against the Pirates, joining June 25-26, 2012, and May 13-14, 2015.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Pittsburgh Pirates (12-7) | Philadelphia Phillies (11-7) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Ivan Nova | RHP | Ben Lively | ||
| (2-1, 4.88 ERA) | (0-1, 5.87 ERA) | ||||
RHP Ivan Nova, Age: 31
- Career vs. PHI: 2-1, 2.77 ERA, 4 G, 4 GS, 26 IP, 24 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 2 HR, 4 BB, 16 SO, 1.077 WHIP
- Career at Citizens Bank Park: 0-1, 3.75 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 12 IP, 12 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 HR, 2 BB, 12 SO, 1.167 WHIP
Eight of Nova's last 10 regular season starts, dating back to August 25, 2017, have been away from PNC Park. The right-hander is 2-5 over this stretch, however he has won each of his last two outings — April 10 away against the Chicago Cubs, and April 15 away against the Miami Marlins.
RHP Ben Lively, Age: 26
- Career vs. PIT: 0-1, 4.50 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 4 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 1 BB, 4 SO, 1.500 WHIP
- Career at Citizens Bank Park: 2-2, 5.15 ERA, 7 G, 7 GS, 36 2/3 IP, 39 H, 23 R, 21 ER, 10 HR, 9 BB, 28 SO, 1.309 WHIP
Opponents have hit .372 against Lively over his last two starts, collecting 16 hits — 12 singles, one double, one triple and two home runs — in 43 at-bats. Lively has collected just one win at Citizens Bank Park since his winning his big league debut on June 3, home against the San Francisco Giants (7 IP, 1 ER).
Starting Lineups:
| Pittsburgh Pirates (12-7) | Philadelphia Phillies (11-7) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 2B | Adam Frazier | L | 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 2 | RF | Gregory Polanco | L | 2 | 1B | Carlos Santana | S |
| 3 | CF | Starling Marte | R | 3 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L |
| 4 | 1B | Josh Bell | S | 4 | LF | Rhys Hoskins | R |
| 5 | LF | Corey Dickerson | L | 5 | RF | Aaron Altherr | R |
| 6 | C | Francisco Cervelli | R | 6 | C | Andrew Knapp | S |
| 7 | 3B | Colin Moran | L | 7 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 8 | SS | Jordy Mercer | R | 8 | P | Ben Lively | R |
| 9 | P | Ivan Nova | R | 9 | SS | J.P. Crawford | L |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
- TV: NBCSP
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- Phillies starters have allowed three earned runs or fewer in nine straight starts, matching their longest such streak since July 26-August 4, 2017, and in 16 of 18 games so far in 2018.
- Herrera has reached base safely in 20 straight games since Sept. 29, 2017. Since April 10, Herrera is slashing .342/.375/.474 with four runs, 10 singles, two doubles, one home run, six RBI and two walks in nine games (40 plate appearances).
- Hernandez collected his 500th career hit on Thursday. Herrera is two doubles shy of reaching 100 for his career.
- The Phillies are the only National League team to lose just one home game this season (6-1). Only the Boston Red Sox (8-1) satisfy this feat in the American League. The Philliesa re 30-18 since July 9, 2017, at Citizens Bank Park, outscoring opponents 266-204 (+62).
- In seven career at-bats against Nova, first baseman Carlos Santana is 2-7 with a double, home run, RBI and two walks.
What's Next:
- Saturday, April 21, 2018: vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 4:05 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pa.
- LHP Steven Brault (2-1, 4.74 ERA) vs. RHP Aaron Nola (1-1, 2.22 ERA)
- TV: NBCSP+; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
