Lively, Phillies open 2nd home series against Reds

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

While right-hander Ben Lively faces his former organization for the first time, the Philadelphia Phillies (3-5) look to build off their home opening series win as they take on southpaw Cody Reed and the Cincinnati Reds (2-6) in Monday evening's series opener at Citizens Bank Park.

Manager Gabe Kapler's squad dropped the finale against the Miami Marlins on Sunday, 6-3. Jake Arrieta made his club debut, striking out five batters and allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits and two walks spanning four innings and 74 pitches (47 strikes). Six Phillies relievers appeared after Arrieta, who allowed all three runs in the first inning. On offense, Carlos Santana and Rhys Hoskins picked up their seventh RBI, while Nick Williams tallied his third. Hoskins leads the National League in batting average, .440, and leads the majors in on-base percentage, .559.

The Phillies have lost four of their last five games against the Reds since April 5, 2017, outscored and outhit 25-14 and 46-30, respectively.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

LHP Cody Reed, Age: 24

• Career vs. PHI: 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 G, 0 GS, 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 4 BB, SO, 2.000 WHIP
• Career at Citizens Bank Park: N/A

Reed was scheduled to make his 2018 debut on Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs, however the game was rained out and the Reds chose to skip his turn in the rotation. The southpaw made 11 relief appearances and one start last season, combining for a 17-19 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 1.698 WHIP in 17 2/3 innings. Similar to this season, Reed made his season debut against the Phillies in 2017, earning a winning decision with scoreless fifth and sixth innings in relie.

Through 11 career starts, Reed is 0-8 with a 8.34 ERA and 1.913 WHIP in 49 2/3 innings. Over these outings, opposing batters are hitting .332/.407/.598 with 15 doubles, 14 home runs, eight stolen bases and no caught stealing attempts through 245 plate appearances.

Only three active Phillies have previously faced Reed: third baseman Maikel Franco (0-1, SO), center fielder Odubel Herrera (0-0, BB) and catcher Andrew Knapp (0-0, BB).

RHP Ben Lively, Age: 26

• Career vs. CIN: N/A
• Career at Citizens Bank Park: 2-2, 4.65 ERA, 6 G, 6 GS, 31 IP, 30 H, 18 R, 16 ER, 9 HR, 7 BB, 21 SO, 1.194 WHIP

Despite allowing only two runs in his season debut on Tuesday, Lively suffered the losing decision, as the Phillies were blanked 2-0 by RHP Matt Harvey and the New York Mets. Lively worked five scoreless frames, before allowing a RBI single and double to Mets hitting in the sixth.

The Reds drafted Lively in the fourth round of the 2013 amateur draft and was dealt to Philadelphia in December 2014 for outfielder Marlon Byrd and cash considerations.  The right-hander was previously drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 26th round of the 2010 amateur draft out of high school, however he did not sign.

Lively is likely a temporary fill in the rotation until injured right-hander Jerad Eickhoff (strained right lat) returns some time early next month, barring additional injuries or if they decide to move right-hander Vince Velasquez into a bullpen role.

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

• First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
• TV: NBCSP+
• Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

What's Next:

• Tuesday, April 10, 2018: vs. Cincinnati Reds, 7:05 p.m.
  • Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pa.
  • RHP Homer Bailey (0-2, 4.22 ERA) vs. RHP Aaron Nola (0-0, 2.61 ERA)
  • TV: NBCSP+; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP