Newly-Acquired Jerome Williams To Make Phillies Debut Against Angels, C.J. Wilson In Series Opener

The Phillies are coming off a losing series against the Mets to close out a seven-game homestand and will open up a two-game series with the Angels in Anaheim. Entering tonight's game in last place in the division, the Phillies will look to play spoiler for the Angels, who are in a tight race for 1st with the A's in the AL West. In their first visit to Anaheim in 11 years, the Phillies will send out their newly-acquired pitcher Jerome Williams (2014: 2-5, 6.71 ERA) against the lefty C.J. Wilson (8-8, 4.82 ERA) and the Angels in the series opener.

Before Jerome Williams was claimed off of waivers from the Texas Rangers, the 32-year-old made two terrible starts, which prompted his release from the club. On August 1st, Williams was lit up by the Indians for 10 earned runs on 13 hits through 4 innings. Prior to his stint with the Rangers, Williams made 26 relief appearances for the Houston Astros where he kept a 6.09 ERA in that stretch. Williams has struggled with allowing runs this year (43 ER in 57 2/3 IP) and will look to make a new start with his new team tonight as he takes on his former Angels team in his first game as a Phillie. In three career relief appearances against the Angels, he has a 10.29 ERA.

C.J. Wilson is looking to turn it around after a sub-par season so far. The left-hander, who is slated as the Angels' No. 2 starter, has struggled with hitters and has collected a 4.82 ERA and a .257 opposing batting average. Wilson is coming off of a loss against the Dodgers last Thursday where he allowed four runs on six hits through 5 2/3 frames. In his last six starts, Wilson is 1-2 with a 11.06 ERA with 14 walks. In Wilson's career against the Phillies, the lefty is 0-1 with a 4.00 ERA.

Game Notes:

• In his last 16 games, Revere is 27-for-72 (.375) with an RBI and four steals and has hit safely in 14 of his last 16 games.
  
• Ryan Howard (.229 avg vs. lefties this year) will hit cleanup and DH.
• This is the Phillies' first trip to Anaheim since June 2003, when they lost two of three to the Angels.

Tonight's Lineups:

Phillies lineup:

1. Ben Revere CF
2. Jimmy Rollins SS
3. Chase Utley 2B
4. Ryan Howard DH
5. Marlon Byrd RF
6. Domonic Brown LF
7. Carlos Ruiz C
8. Darin Ruf 1B
9. Jerome Williams P.

Angels lineup:

1. Kole Calhoun RF
2. Mike Trout CF
3. Albert Pujols 1B
4. Josh Hamilton LF
5. Erick Aybar SS
6. Howie Kendrick 2B
7. Brennan Boesch DH
8. David Freese 3B
9. C.J. Wilson P.

First Pitch: 10:05 PM ET
Location: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Weather: 80° – Sunny – 0% Precip
TV: CSN

Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.