By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Looking to secure the series win against RHP Pablo Lopez and the Miami Marlins (8-19), the Philadelphia Phillies (15-12) will celebrate the Phanatic's birthday by sending RHP Zach Eflin to the mound in Sunday's four-game series finale matinee at Citizens Bank Park. Lopez carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning of his last start, on the road against the Cleveland Indians; Eflin will make just his second home start of 2019. Longtime Phillies PA announcer Dan Baker will miss his second straight game due to feeling under the weather.
.@bryceharper3 with the birthday gift of the year! 💚 pic.twitter.com/NFEIsqeQgO
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 28, 2019
The Phillies topped the Mets, 12-9, Saturday evening, despite being outhit 17-13. First baseman Rhys Hoskins, catcher J.T. Realmuto, left fielder Nick Williams, and third baseman Maikel Franco each had two hits, with one of Hoskins' and Williams' hits being home runs. Center fielder Andrew McCutchen also homered, off Marlins starter Trevor Richards, who fell to 0-4 after allowing five runs, six hits and two walks through four innings. Phillies starter RHP Jake Arrieta improved to 4-2, despite allowing five runs in as many innings. Only one pitcher has more wins than Arrieta (and seven others) this season: Seattle Mariners southpaw Marco Gonzales (5). Right-hander Hector Neris notched his fourth save in the win.
Segura Returns Following Scary Hit-by-Pitch
Shortstop Jean Segura, activated from the 10-day injured list prior to Saturday's game (hamstring), saw minimal action in his first appearance since April 16. In the bottom of the second, Segura was removed after being hit in the helmet by a 90 mph Richards fastball. He remained on the ground for awhile, but was able to walk off. After the game, Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said Segura does not have concussion symptoms; he will start on Sunday, batting second.
Realmuto Rests
Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto will not be in the starting lineup for just the fourth time this season, through 28 games, behind home plate. Andrew Knapp will make the start; he has four walks over his last six plate appearances.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Miami Marlins (8-19) | Philadelphia Phillies (15-12) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Pablo Lopez | RHP | Zach Eflin | ||
| (2-3, 4.44 ERA) | (2-3, 4.15 ERA) | ||||
RHP Pablo Lopez, Age: 23
- Career vs. PHI: 0-0, 1.50 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 6 IP, 5 H, R, ER, HR, 0 BB, 5 SO, 0.833 WHIP
- Career at Citizens Bank Park: 0-0, 1.50 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 6 IP, 5 H, R, ER, HR, 0 BB, 5 SO, 0.833 WHIP
RHP Zach Eflin, Age: 25
- Career vs. MIA: 2-2, 5.52 ERA, 5 G, 5 GS, 29 1/3 IP, 31 H, 18 R, 18 ER, 8 HR, 5 BB, 19 SO, 1.227 WHIP
- Career at Citizens Bank Park: 10-8, 4.22 ERA, 22 G, 22 GS, 132 1/3 IP, 129 H, 66 R, 62 ER, 25 HR, 30 BB, 111 SO, 1.202 WHIP
Starting Lineups:
| Miami Marlins (8-19) | Philadelphia Phillies (15-12) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 3B | Jon Berti | R | 1 | CF | Andrew McCutchen | R |
| 2 | 1B | Martin Prado | R | 2 | SS | Jean Segura | R |
| 3 | RF | Brian Anderson | R | 3 | RF | Bryce Harper | L |
| 4 | 2B | Starlin Castro | R | 4 | 1B | Rhys Hoskins | R |
| 5 | SS | Miguel Rojas | R | 5 | LF | Nick Williams | L |
| 6 | LF | Isaac Galloway | R | 6 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 7 | C | Chad Wallach | R | 7 | C | Andrew Knapp | S |
| 8 | CF | Lewis Brinson | R | 8 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 9 | P | Pablo Lopez | L | 9 | P | Zach Eflin | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 1:05 p.m.
- TV: NBCSP
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
If the Phillies’ bullpen has frustrated you at times this season, look around the division at bullpen ERAs…
Phillies: 4.27
Braves: 4.74
Mets: 5.82
Nationals: 7.34— Corey Seidman (@CSeidmanNBCS) April 28, 2019
- The Miami Marlins' -54 run differential is currently the second worst in MLB, worsened only by the Baltimore Orioles (-59). Every National League East team, except the Phillies, has lost multiple consecutive games.
- "[The Phillies] are 29-11 on games played on the Phanatic’s Birthday celebrations, a .725 winning percentage that would produce 117 wins over a 162-game season," writes Bob Vetrone.
- Phillies second baseman Cesar Hernandez currently has the eight-longest active hitting streak in MLB, 8. Over the stretch, the switch-hitter is slashing .333/.353/.424 with four runs scored, 11 hits, one RBI, one walk, and four strikeouts spanning 33 at-bats.
- Because of their multiple injuries and injured list stints, the Phillies have already used 35 players, only topped by the Seattle Mariners (36), notes NBC Sports Philadelphia's Corey Seidman.
- Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper (22) and McCutchen (20) have the second and third-most walks in MLB this season, bested only by the Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout (28).
- Hoskins has homered three times over his last six games; he is 2-for-3 lifetime against Lopez with a solo home run (.667/.667/1.667) (click to expand).
What's Next:
- Tuesday, April 30, 2019: vs. Detroit Tigers, 7:05 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pa.
- TBA vs. RHP Vince Velasquez (1-0, 1.99 ERA)
- TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
