By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
LOS ANGELES — The Philadelphia Phillies (11-10) will look to avoid falling back to the .500 mark Saturday evening in the second of a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers (12-12).
Phillies RHP Zach Eflin will make his second career start at Dodger Stadium and the 14th outing overall for his career. He will oppose RHP Brandon McCarthy, who has not faced the Phillies in over three years.
The Phillies' six-game win streak was snapped in their 5-3 series opener defeat on Friday. Manager Pete Mackanin's club jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the third inning thanks to a two-RBI double by shortstop Freddy Galvis, which in the process extended his hitting streak to 10 games. Against RHP Jerad Eickhoff, the Dodgers scored one run in the third, fourth and fifth, as well as a pair of runs in the sixth. The Phillies pulled within two runs in the eighth with a sacrifice fly RBI by third baseman Maikel Franco, but were not able to rally any further en route to the loss.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (11-10) | Los Angeles Dodgers (12-12) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Zach Eflin | RHP | Brandon McCarthy | ||
| (0-0, 2.25 ERA) | (3-0, 2.25 ERA) | ||||
Eflin Career vs. LAD: 0-1, 21.00 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 3 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 3 HR, 2 BB, 0 SO, 3.000 WHIP
Eflin's only career outing against the Dodgers occurred at Dodger Stadium last season on August 8 — the final start of his rookie season. The right-hander allowed seven runs, making it his third straight start surrendering six or more runs. The Phillies placed Eflin on the 15-day disabled list the following day with patellar tendinopathy in both knees.
Despite undergoing surgery in August, Eflin started this season on the 10-day disabled with tendinitis in both knees. He was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on April 18 to replace RHP Clay Buchholz (torn flexor tendon) in the starting rotation. In two starts, the 23-year-old has a 0.750 WHIP ratio and 2.25 ERA (12 IP, 3 ER).
Eflin has retired 33 of his last 39 batters. In his last start, April 23 against the Atlanta Braves (no-decision), the right-hander recorded six shutout innings on just a pair of hits surrendered before cleanup hitter LF Matt Kemp hit a solo home run to start the seventh.
McCarthy Career vs. PHI: 0-1, 1.20 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 15 IP, 14 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, BB, 17 SO, 1.000 WHIP
McCarthy, 33, has surrendered no more than two runs in each of his four starts.
The 12-year veteran threw just 63 innings over the previous two seasons with the Dodgers — 23 innings in 2015 and 40 innings in 2016 — due to right hip stiffness and rehabbing from an April 2015 Tommy John surgery.
McCarthy last faced the Phillies at Chase Field on April 27, 2014, while as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Despite allowing just two runs on seven hits, one walk and 12 strikeouts, McCarthy suffered the losing decision in the Phillies' 2-0 victory.
The Glendale, California native's previous and first career outing against the Phillies was an eight shutout-inning performance on May 12, 2013 at the same venue. He did not receive the win, however, as the Phillies rallied with a pair of runs in the top of the ninth and 10th innings to claim the 4-2 win.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (11-10) | Los Angeles Dodgers (12-12) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 1 | CF | Andrew Toles | L |
| 2 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S | 2 | SS | Corey Seager | L |
| 3 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | 3 | 1B | Adrian Gonzalez | L |
| 4 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | 4 | C | Yasmani Grandal | S |
| 5 | RF | Michael Saunders | L | 5 | RF | Yasiel Puig | R |
| 6 | LF | Daniel Nava | S | 6 | LF | Cody Bellinger | L |
| 7 | 1B | Brock Stassi | L | 7 | 2B | Chase Utley | L |
| 8 | C | Andrew Knapp | S | 8 | 3B | Chris Taylor | R |
| 9 | R | Zach Eflin | R | 9 | P | Brandon McCarthy | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 9:10 p.m.
- TV: CSN, MLBN
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes
- Phillies RHP Mark Leiter Jr. made his Major League debut with a 1-2-3 7th inning in the series opener Friday evening. His dad, RHP Mark Leiter Sr., pitched with the Phillies in 1997 and 1998. The 26-year-old's debut marked just the second father-son combination to don red pinstripes in club history, joining Ruben Amaro Jr. (1992-93, 96-98) and Sr. (1960-65).
- Franco is tied with Miami Marlins left fielder Marcell Ozuna and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim designated hitter Albert Pujols for fifth in the league in RBIs, 21. Of the top-seven RBI leaders, Franco has the second-fewest strikeouts, 10.
- Galvis is 3-3 lifetime against McCarthy. Joining Galvis, just three active members of the Phillies have faced McCarthy previously in their respective careers — right fielder Michael Saunders and utility infielder Andres Blanco. Left fielder Howie Kendrick is 7-16 with three doubles and three RBIs, however he remains on the disabled list with a right abdominal strain. Former Phillies second baseman Chase Utley is 1-2 lifetime against Eflin with a solo home run.
NL East Standings (entering April 29, 2017)
| W | L | GB | L10 | Streak | Home | Road | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Nationals | 16 | 7 | — | 8-2 | L1 | 6-4 | 10-3 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 11 | 10 | 4.0 | 7-3 | L1 | 7-4 | 4-6 |
| Miami Marlins | 10 | 11 | 5.0 | 4-6 | L3 | 4-3 | 6-8 |
| Atlanta Braves | 9 | 12 | 6.0 | 4-6 | W3 | 4-3 | 5-9 |
| New York Mets | 9 | 13 | 6.5 | 2-8 | W1 | 4-10 | 5-3 |
What's Next:
- Sunday, April 30, 2017: at Los Angeles Dodgers, 4:10 p.m.
- Dodger Stadium
- RHP Nick Pivetta (MLB Debut) vs. LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (0-4, 4.64 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
