The Phillies Opening Day did not go as planned at all. Though fans were expecting a lackluster performance, losing 8-0 is not what anyone thought was going to happen. Cole Hamels got hit around, the offense was non-existent and Jake Diekman enters today's game with a 108.00 ERA. After having a day off, the Phillies (0-1) return to their home field to host the Red Sox (1-0) tonight at 7:05pm.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
|
Boston Red Sox (1-0) |
Philadelphia Phillies (0-1) |
||||
|
RHP |
Rick Porcello |
2014: (15-13, 3,43 ERA) |
RHP |
Aaron Harang |
2014: (12-12, 3.57 ERA) |
Looking to prove that back stiffness is a thing of the past, Aaron Harang takes the hill for Philadelphia after posting a 4.80 ERA in 15 innings during Spring Training. The 36-year-old right-hander spent all of last season with the Braves after struggling in 26 games combined between the Mariners and Mets in 2013. In a nice bounce-back campaign with Atlanta, Harang allowed three runs or less in eight of his final 11 starts last season, helping him finish the year with a 3.57ERA. He finished second in the NL last season in quality starts with 25. Harang is 2-2 with a 5.08 ERA in his career against the Red Sox and holds a 3.93 ERA in nine games at Citizens Bank Park. He signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Phillies this offseason.
The Red Sox will look to build on their Opening Day blowout, this time behind Rick Porcello. The Red Sox number two starter had a very solid spring, allowing just four earned runs in 14 innings of work. Last season as a member of the Tigers, Porcello didn't finish the season that well, surrendering six runs in three of his final nine starts of the season and four runs in three of the final five. In one start against the Phillies during his career, Porcello pitched six innings and gave up three runs. He's never pitched at Citizens Bank Park before and has recently signed a four-year, $82.5 million contract extension.
Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg isn't sticking with the lineup that couldn't score a run on Monday afternoon, removing Odubel Herrera and Grady Sizemore and replacing them with Darin Ruf and Jeff Francoeur. Meghan Montermurro of Delaware Online reports that Herrera is out of the lineup nursing a sore foot after he fouled a ball off of it on Monday. He'll be available to pinch hit. The Phils will need to show more patience at the plate than they did on Monday, striking out nine times while taking just two walks, both courtesy of Carlos Ruiz. Jeff Francoeur and Ben Revere have both fared well against Porcello, hitting .350 (7-for-20) and .368 (7-for-19) respectively.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox lineup has a couple of changes as Shane Victorino is replaced by Daniel Nava and Mike Napoli steps in for David Ortiz. Aaron Harang will have his work cut out for him if the Red Sox keep their foot on the pedal. Dustin Pedroia and Hanley Ramirez combined to go 5-for-9 with four home runs, four runs scored and seven RBI's. Ramirez is hitting .345 (10-for-29) against Aaron Harang in his career, including five homers and seven RBI's.
Starting Lineups:
|
Boston Red Sox (1-0) |
Philadelphia Phillies (0-1) |
||||
|
|
Position/Bats |
Player |
|
Position/Bats |
Player |
|
1 |
8/R |
Mookie Betts |
1 |
8/L |
Ben Revere |
|
2 |
4/R |
Dustin Pedroia |
2 |
2/R |
Carlos Ruiz |
|
3 |
5/S |
Pablo Sandoval |
3 |
4/L |
Chase Utley |
|
4 |
7/R |
Hanley Ramirez |
4 |
3/L |
Ryan Howard |
|
5 |
3/R |
Mike Napoli |
5 |
7/R |
Darin Ruf |
|
6 |
9/L |
Daniel Nava |
6 |
5/L |
Cody Asche |
|
7 |
2/R |
Ryan Hanigan |
7 |
9/R |
Jeff Francoeur |
|
8 |
6/R |
Xander Bogaerts |
8 |
6/S |
Freddy Galvis |
|
9 |
1/R |
Clay Buchholz |
9 |
1/R |
Aaron Harang |
Gametime: 7:05PM
Weather: 43 degrees, overcast, 0% PoP
Location: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
TV: The Comcast Network, ESPN 2
Radio: 1210 WPHT, 94 WIP, SBP 1480 (Spanish)
Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com
