This evening, with just a couple games remaining on the current, six-game home stand, the Philadelphia Phillies (6-11) will look to build upon last night's 1-0 walk-off victory against the Atlanta Braves (8-8). In order to do so, however, their offense will need to find a way to increase their production, having scored just once in four of their previous five games.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Atlanta Braves (8-8) | Philadelphia Phillies (6-11) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Shelby Miller | RHP | David Buchanan | ||
| (2-0, 1.69 ERA) | (0-3, 9.22 ERA) | ||||
David Buchanan will get his fourth starting nod of the season this evening. The 25-year-old right hander, native to Atlanta, Georgia, has failed to get out of the fifth inning in all three of his starts. He has allowed a combined 22 hits and nine walks over just 13.2 innings against the Red Sox, Mets and Nationals. The right hander's three losses this season are tied for worst in the league with six other starting pitchers, three of them being Milwaukee Brewers (Fiers, Garza, Lohse).
Buchanan's past history against the Braves does not necessarily bode well for his chances to snap his streak of six consecutive losing decisions without a victory to his credit, dating back to August 6, 2014. In two starts over just nine innings, he is 0-1 with a 4.00 ERA, giving up seven runs (four earned) on eight hits and nine walks.
The opposing pitcher on the mound tonight will be right hander Shelby Miller, who was acquired by Atlanta from the St. Louis Cardinals on November 17, 2014 as a part of the Jason Heyward blockbuster.
Miller's only career outing at Citizens Bank Park occurred last season on August 23, 2014, ironically also against Buchanan. Lasting six innings for the no-decision, Miller allowed three runs on five hits and two walks. Phillies' first baseman Ryan Howard homered off of Miller that game for his 19th home run of the season, and 330th of his career.
Overall against the Phils in three career starts, Miller is 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA, having allowed seven runs, 15 hits, six walks and two home runs in 18.2 innings of work.
Starting Lineups:
| Atlanta Braves (8-8) | Philadelphia Phillies (6-11) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | RF | Nick Markakis | L | 1 | LF | Ben Revere | L |
| 2 | SS | Andrelton Simmons | R | 2 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L |
| 3 | 1B | Freddie Freeman | L | 3 | 2B | Chase Utley | L |
| 4 | C | A.J. Pierzynski | L | 4 | RF | Jeff Francoeur | R |
| 5 | LF | Jonny Gomes | R | 5 | 1B | Ryan Howard | L |
| 6 | 3B | Kelly Johnson | L | 6 | 3B | Cody Asche | L |
| 7 | 2B | Jace Peterson | L | 7 | C | Carlos Ruiz | R |
| 8 | CF | Eric Young Jr. | S | 8 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S |
| 9 | P | Shelby Miller | R | 9 | P | David Buchanan | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First-pitch: 7:05 pm EST
- TV: CSN
- Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, SBP 1480 (Sp.)
What's Next:
The Phillies and Braves will play tomorrow afternoon in the series finale, with the first-pitch set for 1:35 pm EST. RHP Jerome Williams (1-1, 3.71 ERA) will oppose RHP Trevor Cahill (0-2, 9.95 ERA).
Cahill, who made the All-Star team in 2010 as a member of the Oakland Athletics, was traded from the Arizona Diamondbacks to Atlanta on April 2 for minor leaguer Josh Elander.
TV: CSN, MLBN; Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, SBP 1480 (Sp.)
Matt Rappa (@mattrappa) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
