By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor
Behind RHP Zach Eflin, the Philadelphia Phillies (31-21) will play for their first series sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers (29-24) since July 7-10, 2014 — and their third sweep overall in the 2019 season — in Sunday's matinee series finale at Miller Park.
Both of the Phillies' sweeps so far this season have come at home: the Colorado Rockies, just two series ago (May 17-19), and the Atlanta Braves in the season-opening series (March 28, 30-31). The Phillies have won seven of their last nine games dating back to the start of the Rockies series, outscoring opponents 47-38.
RELATED | Arrieta Strong as Phillies Slug Season-High 4 Home Runs in Series Win
Retiring 16 straight opposing batters for the first time since 2017, Jake Arrieta tossed eight strong innings Saturday afternoon in the Phillies' 7-2 win — securing their 10th series victory and improving to a season-high 10 games over .500. The Phillies slugged a season-high four home runs in the victory, including Rhys Hoskins' and J.T. Realmuto's back-to-back shots in the ninth. Andrew McCutchen homered on just the second pitch of the game, extending his hitting streak to seven games. Jean Segura's ninth-inning single to set up Hoskins' home run extended his hitting streak to 16 games.
Hoskins' home run was his second in as many games; as NBC Sports Philadelphia's Corey Seidman notes, the Phillies slugger has 65 career home runs, with 39 of them as part of back-to-back games.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
Philadelphia Phillies (31-21) | Milwaukee Brewers (29-24) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
RHP | Zach Eflin | RHP | Brandon Woodruff | ||
(5-4, 2.76 ERA) | (6-1, 3.51 ERA) |
RHP Zach Eflin, Age: 25
- Career vs. MIL: 2-1, 3.94 ERA, 3 G, 3 GS, 16 IP, 13 H, 7 R, 7 ER, HR, 4 BB, 22 SO, 1.063 WHIP
- Career at Miller Park: 1-0, 1.80 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 5 IP, 3 H, R, ER, 0 HR, BB, 6 SO, 0.800 WHIP
Eflin has allowed one run or fewer in four of his last five starts dating back to April 28. Eflin is just 2-3 with a 3.18 ERA in six starts on the road this season, opposed to 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA in four home starts. Th right-hander is three starts removed from his shutout of the Kansas City Royals, and five starts removed from his complete game against the Miami Marlins.
RHP Brandon Woodruff, Age: 26
- Career vs. PHI: 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 10 IP, 2 H, R, 0 ER, 7 BB, 8 SO, 0.900 WHIP
- Career at Miller Park: 5-3, 4.88 ERA, 20 G, 13 GS, 79 1/3 IP, 82 H, 43 R, 43 ER, 11 HR, 24 BB, 82 SO, 1.336 WHIP
The Brewers have won each of Woodruff's last five starts dating back to April 27. Phillies hitters have yet to solve the Tupelo, Mississippi, native, slashing just .067/.243/.067 with only one run scored, two singles, seven walks and eight strikeouts spanning 38 plate appearances and 30 at-bats.
Four of the right-hander's six wins this season have come against National League East opponents. Sunday will mark his sixth straight start against such teams.
Starting Lineups:
Philadelphia Phillies (31-21) | Milwaukee Brewers (29-24) | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
1 | LF | Andrew McCutchen | R | 1 | CF | Ben Gamel | L |
2 | SS | Jean Segura | R | 2 | RF | Christian Yelich | L |
3 | RF | Bryce Harper | L | 3 | LF | Ryan Braun | R |
4 | 1B | Rhys Hoskins | R | 4 | 3B | Mike Moustakas | L |
5 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 5 | C | Yasmani Grandal | S |
6 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | 6 | 2B | Hernan Perez | R |
7 | C | Andrew Knapp | S | 7 | 1B | Eric Thames | L |
8 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | 8 | SS | Orlando Arcia | R |
9 | P | Zach Eflin | R | 9 | P | Brandon Woodruff | L |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 2:10 p.m.
- TV: NBCSP
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- The Phillies regained their 2 1/2-game lead in the division on Saturday, as the Braves bullpen allowed the St. Louis Cardinals to score four runs in the eighth en route to their 6-3 loss.
- Phillies' Pivetta to Start Tuesday with Velasquez Remaining in Bullpen
- A Phillies win would mark the club's first season series win against the Brewers, 4-3, since 2016 — also 4-3. The Phillies and Brewers split their six meetings in each of the last two seasons (3-3, 2018; 3-3, 2017).
- Phillies 2019 season series record: 10-4-3.
Over the last 3 weeks exactly, the Phillies’ 7-8 hitters have combined to hit .207/.290/.267 with no home runs. That early-season talking point about the bottom of the order shifted pretty quickly.
They keep winning, though. 14-8 over that span.
— Corey Seidman (@CSeidmanNBCS) May 26, 2019
- Active members of the Phillies have just three hits spanning 34 career at-bats against the Brewers starter. McCutchen has had the most success with a home run and two RBI opposite the right-hander (click to expand).
What's Next:
- Monday, May 27, 2019: Off-day, the club's first on Memorial Day since 2005.
- Tuesday, May 28, 2019: vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 7:05 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pa.
- RHP Adam Wainwright (4-4, 4.82 ERA) vs. RHP Nick Pivetta (2-1, 8.35 ERA)
- TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP