By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies (28-56) and San Diego Padres (36-49) — both of whom trail their respective divisions by 21-plus games — will begin a three-game series to conclude the first half of the season Friday evening at Citizens Bank Park. Phillies rookie RHP Nick Pivetta will make his 11th career start as he opposes Padres southpaw Clayton Richard.
The Phillies have won five of their last six games against the Padres since April 12, 2016, and took three of four meetings last season at home.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| San Diego Padres (36-49) | Philadelphia Phillies (28-56) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LHP | Clayton Richard | RHP | Nick Pivetta | ||
| (5-8, 4.85 ERA) | (2-4, 4.85 ERA) | ||||
Richard Career vs. PHI: 0-4, 3.86 ERA, 7 G, 3 GS, 25 2/3 IP, 24 H, 14 R, 11 ER, 3 HR, 9 BB, 15 SO, 1.286 WHIP
Richard, 33, is winless in seven career appearances against the Phillies. The left-hander made three relief appearances against the Phillies last season — two with the Chicago Cubs on June 7-8 and one with the Padres on August 6 — and combined for two runs allowed (one earned) on three hits, two walks, one strikeout and 30 pitches (17 strikes) in 1 1/3 innings.
In his most recent start on June 30 at PetCo Park, the nine-year veteran tossed just 4 1/3 innings on 101 pitches, allowing seven runs (all earned) on nine hits, four walks, two home runs and three strikeouts. Richard surrendered a first-inning grand slam in the outing to opposing catcher Austin Barnes.
Season Splits, By Month:
- April: 6 GS, 2-3, 4.29 ERA, 35 2/3 IP, 23 SO, 11 BB, .307/.360/.482
- May: 5 GS, 1-3, 4.36 ERA, 33 IP, 27 SO, 8 BB, .289/.331/.422
- June: 6 GS, 2-2, 5.86 ERA, 35 1/3 IP, 23 SO, 12 BB, .338/.400/.532
Pivetta Career vs. SDP: N/A
Pivetta, 24, has walked nine batters over his last two starts (9 1/3 innings). The right-hander is coming off of a seven-inning, one-run road performance against the division rival New York Mets on July 2. Pivetta will make his fourth career start at home and his first since June 21 against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Season Splits, By Month:
- April: 1 GS, 0-1, 3.60 ERA, 5 IP, 5 SO, 1 BB, .409/.435/.727
- May: 3 GS, 0-1, 5.64 ERA, 14 1/3 IP, 16 SO, 8 BB, .293/.388/.586
- June: 5 GS, 1-2, 5.61 ERA, 25 2/3 IP, 28 SO, 15 BB, .260/.360/.417
- July: 1 GS, 1-0, 1.29 ERA, 7 IP, 4 SO, 4 BB, .050/.208/.200
Starting Lineups:
| San Diego Padres (36-49) | Philadelphia Phillies (28-56) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 1B | Wil Myers | R | 1 | LF | Cameron Perkins | R |
| 2 | CF | Manuel Margot | R | 2 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S |
| 3 | LF | Jose Pirela | R | 3 | RF | Aaron Altherr | R |
| 4 | RF | Hunter Renfroe | R | 4 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 5 | 3B | Cory Spangenberg | L | 5 | 1B | Tommy Joseph | R |
| 6 | SS | Erick Aybar | S | 6 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L |
| 7 | 2B | Carlos Asuaje | L | 7 | 2B | Andres Blanco | S |
| 8 | C | Austin Hedges | R | 8 | C | Cameron Rupp | R |
| 9 | P | Clayton Richard | L | 9 | P | Nick Pivetta | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 6:35 p.m.
- TV: CSN
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- The Phillies have dropped 20 of their 28 series, including the most recent four-game set against the Pittsburgh Pirates, 1-3. They are just 4-13 against National League West opponents this season.
- Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis, who aims to play all 162 games in 2017, is 2-7 lifetime against Richard with two doubles and a RBI. Outfielder Aaron Altherr is 1-2 with a triple in his career against the Padres southpaw.
- Since June 23, Phillies relievers have combined for a MLB third-best ERA, 2.63. They trail just the 44-win Kansas City Royals (2.22) and the 58-win Los Angeles Dodgers (2.38). The Phillies are tied with the 42-win Cubs and 40-win Baltimore Orioles in producing the sixth-fewest runs over this same stretch, 43.
NL East Standings (entering July 7, 2017):
| W | L | GB | L10 | Streak | Home | Road | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Nationals | 50 | 35 | — | 5-5 | L1 | 24-18 | 26-17 |
| Atlanta Braves | 41 | 43 | 8.5 | 5-5 | W1 | 20-22 | 21-21 |
| New York Mets | 38 | 45 | 11.0 | 6-4 | L3 | 19-24 | 19-21 |
| Miami Marlins | 38 | 46 | 11.5 | 4-6 | L1 | 21-21 | 17-25 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 28 | 56 | 21.5 | 4-6 | L3 | 15-23 | 13-33 |
What's Next:
- Saturday, July 8, 2017: vs. San Diego Padres, 4:05 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park
- RHP Jhoulys Chacin (7-7, 4.52 ERA) vs. RHP Aaron Nola (6-5, 3.73 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
