Phillies’ Irvin Inked for 2nd Start in Series Opener Against Rockies

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Looking to rebound from losing three straight games, the Philadelphia Phillies (24-19) will send rookie southpaw Cole Irvin to the mound in the three-game series opener Friday evening opposite RHP Jon Gray and the Colorado Rockies (20-22) at Citizens Bank Park. Irvin will make his first home start and second start overall. Just as the Phillies recently dropped three of four to the Milwaukee Brewers, the Phillies similarly fell in three of four to the Rockies in the club's first 2019 meeting, April 18-21 at Coors Field.

In celebration of Armed Forces Day (May 18), honoring military members and their families for their patriotic service, Phillies players and club personnel will wear camouflage-designed caps this weekend, featuring a five-starred emblem to represent the U.S. military's five branches. Camouflage-themed socks will also be worn.

Prior to Friday's game, the Phillies recalled RHP Enyel De Los Santos and optioned LHP Austin Davis. The Rockies, meanwhile, called up 22-year-old infielder prospect Brendan Rodgers; in 35 games this season at Triple-A Albuquerque, the No. 3 overall pick from the 2015 draft slashed .356/.421/.644 with nine home runs, 21 RBI, and 34 runs scored. Rodgers will make his debut, starting at second base and batting seventh. The Rockies also activated LHP Jake McGee (left knee sprain) from the 10-day injured list, and optioned infielder Pat Valaika and RHP DJ Johnson.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

RHP Jon Gray, Age: 27

• Career vs. PHI: 3-2, 3.44 ERA, 6 G, 6 GS, 36 2/3 IP, 24 H, 15 R, 14 ER, 3 HR, 18 BB, 40 SO, 1.145 WHIP
• Career at Citizens Bank Park: 0-2, 8.71 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 10 1/3 IP, 9 H, 11 R, 10 ER, 2 HR, 8 BB, 16 SO, 1.645 WHIP

After starting the season 0-3 with a 4.19 ERA and .269/.338/.478 slash through his first three starts, Gray is 3-0 with a 4.30 ERA and .255/.333/.482 slash in his five starts since. The five-year veteran tossed six scoreless innings against the Phillies on April 21, allowing only a single, double and four walks, while striking out five batters.

LHP Cole Irvin, Age: 25

• Career vs. COL: N/A
• Career at Citizens Bank Park: N/A

On Sunday, starting in place of injured RHP Vince Velasquez, Irvin became the first Phillies pitcher to throw seven innings in his MLB debut since RHP Ben Lively on June 3, 2017, against the San Francisco Giants. The start was exactly 13 years after LHP Cole Hamels made his MLB debut. The California native shined, allowing just one run on five hits, one walk and five strikeouts spanning seven innings, 93 pitches and 64 strikes.

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

• First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
• TV: NBCSP
• Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game Notes:

• Given the Phillies' recent skid against the Brewers, the club's lead in the National League East has been trimmed to just 1 1/2.
• Phillies shortstop Jean Segura has logged at least one hit in seven straight games. Over this stretch, he is slashing .333/.355/.567 with five runs scored, 10 hits, two home runs, five RBI, one walk and five strikeouts spanning 30 at-bats. Segura's .312 overall batting average ranks 12th-best among qualified National League batters.
• Rockies shortstop Trevor Story left an extra-innings loss against the Boston Red Sox early on Wednesday after colliding with a teammate; resting on Thursday with a bruised knee, Story will return to action on Friday. Story has collected a hit in six straight games.
• Rodgers he will become the third Rockies prospect to debut in 2019, joining infielder Josh Fuentes and outfielder Yonathan Daza.
• According to The Athletic's Matt Gelb, the Phillies are 21 percent better than league average with RISP; 78 percent better with runner on 3rd, less than 2 outs; and 15 percent better with men on base.
• Through 45 career games against the Phillies, Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon is slashing .342/.421/.615 with 33 runs scored, 10 doubles, two triples, 10 home runs, 23 RBI, 15 walks and 30 strikeouts. Blackmon has four home runs over his last four games since May 11.
• Phillies leadoff batter Andrew McCutchen is nearly batting .500 in his career opposite Gray (8-for-17) with a pair of doubles, three walks and three strikeouts. McCutchen has the second-most walks in the National League (31), trailing only teammate Bryce Harper (33) (click to expand).

What's Next:

• Saturday, May 18, 2019: vs. Colorado Rockies, 4:05 p.m.
  • Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pa.
  • RHP Antonio Senzatela (3-2, 5.35 ERA) vs. RHP Aaron Nola (3-0, 4.86 ERA)
  • TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP