The last image you may recall of the Philadelphia Phillies (24-47) facing the New York Yankees (38-31) at Yankee Stadium likely isn't a good one: Shane Victorino, up against legendary closer Mariano Rivera, grounding out to second base to end the game, and subsequently the 2009 World Series as a whole in favor of the opposition.
This image burns into the minds of Phillies' fans, and losing the series will forever be remembered as a missed opportunity to capitalize while the franchise was on top, in one of their best windows of success.
Unfortunately, the current state of the team is far from the days of "Rauuuul" chants in left field at sold-out, standing room only crowds in Citizens Bank Park, which was a fixture during the 2009 season. Instead, we are currently witnessing a team 23 games under .500, with the worst record in all of major league baseball.
Tonight, right hander Kevin Correia will take the mound for his third start as a Phillie as he opposes Michael Pineda and the Yankees in Interleague play.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (24-47) | New York Yankees (38-31) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Kevin Correia | RHP | Michael Pineda | ||
| (0-1, 1.69 ERA) | (8-3, 3.54 ERA) | ||||
Since debuting with the Phillies on June 12, Correia has allowed just two earned runs over 10.2 combined innings on the mound.
In 6.2 career innings against the Yankees, Correia has allowed just one earned run over 10 hits and a walk.
Former Camden Rivershark and brother to J.D. Drew, middle-infielder Stephen Drew, is 16-56 lifetime against Correia with four doubles, a triple and home run each, and seven runs-batted-in. Long-time Arizona Diamondback and current Yankee outfielder, Chris Young, has four career home runs against tonight's Phillies' starter in 46 at-bats.
Pineda, 26, has one career start against the Phillies, which occurred as a Seattle Mariner at Safeco Field. Opposing the fourth element of "R2C2", Roy Oswalt, on June 17, 2011, Pineda allowed only one run on two hits and three walks, over six innings of work.
Last season, Pineda was suspended 10 games for use on pine tar on the mound against John Lackey and the Boston Red Sox on April 23, 2014.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (24-47) | New York Yankees (38-31) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Bats | Position | Bats | ||||
| 1 | CF | Ben Revere | L | 1 | CF | Brett Gardner | L |
| 2 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 2 | 3B | Chase Headley | S |
| 3 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | 3 | DH | Alex Rodriguez | R |
| 4 | 1B | Ryan Howard | L | 4 | C | Brian McCann | L |
| 5 | RF | Domonic Brown | L | 5 | RF | Carlos Beltran | S |
| 6 | DH | Chase Utley | L | 6 | 1B | Garrett Jones | L |
| 7 | C | Cameron Rupp | R | 7 | SS | Didi Gregorius | L |
| 8 | LF | Cody Asche | L | 8 | LF | Chris Young | R |
| 9 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S | 9 | 2B | Stephen Drew | R |
Game Notes:
- Since the new Yankee Stadium opened in 2009, the Phillies are 4-2 in the regular season at the venue. In the postseason, they are 1-2, having played three games in the Bronx during the 2009 World Series. On May 23, 2009, outfielder John Mayberry Jr, now with the New York Mets, homered in his major league debut off of three-time All-Star and 18-year veteran, Andy Pettitte.
- Current Phillies' batters have had reasonable success in their careers against Michael Pineda, in limited exposure. Although outfielder Jeff Francoeur has struck out twice in five at-bats against the right hander, he does have a double to his credit. Additionally, outfielder Ben Revere and second baseman Chase Utley each have singled in five combined at-bats against Pineda. Utley has one career-RBI as well, in opposition of the Yankee ace, over just two at-bats.
- Rookie third baseman Maikel Franco is batting .538/.571/.615 over his past three games with seven hits and a double. He has driven in just one run during this excellent stretch, however, which suggests the rest of the Phillies' lineup is simply not getting on base.
Broadcast Information:
- First-pitch: 7:05 pm EST
- TV: CSN
- Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
What's Next:
- Tuesday, June 23, 2015: at New York Yankees, 7:05 pm
- RHP Sean O'Sullivan (1-5, 4.79 ERA) vs. LHP CC Sabathia (3-7, 5.31 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
- Wednesday, June 24, 2015: at New York Yankees, 1:05 pm
- LHP Cole Hamels (5-5, 2.96 ERA) vs. TBA
- TV: NBC 10, MLBN; Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
Matt Rappa (@mattrappa) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
