By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Looking to rebound from their extra-inning defeat during Monday evening's series opener against the New York Mets (10-6), the Philadelphia Phillies (9-6) and RHP Nick Pivetta will oppose southpaw Steven Matz Tuesday evening at Citizens Bank Park. Pivetta, himself, needs to rebound, after allowing a combined 15 runs (14 earned) in just 13 1/3 innings through his first three starts this season, all at home.
Scott Kingery will start at the hot corner, while Maikel Franco starts at first in place of Rhys Hoskins (mild left ankle sprain). Franco will start at first for just the seventh time of his career; he has also logged 502 starts at third base and three as the designated hitter. Odubel Herrera will sit against the left-hander, a scheduled off day, while Aaron Altherr will start in his place, his first start of the season. Kingery is 3-for-7 lifetime opposite Matz with a solo home run and strikeout (.429/.429/.857); he would have started at center field, notes The Athletic's Matt Gelb, had it not been for Hoskins' injury.
Tuesday's contest will come just hours after the Phillies and Major League Baseball announced that the city of Philadelphia will host the 2026 All-Star Game. Commissioner Rob Manfred said that while he usually likes to announce the hosts in order, he made an exception for Philadelphia, as it hopes to lure other major sporting events to celebrate America's 250th birthday.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| New York Mets (10-6) | Philadelphia Phillies (9-6) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LHP | Steven Matz | RHP | Nick Pivetta | ||
| (1-0, 1.65 ERA) | (1-1, 9.45 ERA) | ||||
LHP Steven Matz, Age: 27
- Career vs. PHI: 0-2, 3.57 ERA, 5 G, 5 GS, 22 2/3 IP, 19 H, 11 R, 9 ER, 4 HR, 14 BB, 18 SO, 1.456 WHIP
- Career at Citizens Bank Park: 0-2, 3.57 ERA, 4 G, 4 GS, 17 2/3 IP, 16 H, 9 R, 7 ER, 3 HR, 12 BB, 10 SO, 1.585 WHIP
RHP Nick Pivetta, Age: 26
- Career vs. NYM: 2-2, 6.39 ERA, 5 G, 5 GS, 25 1/3 IP, 28 H, 19 R, 18 ER, 4 HR, 12 BB, 25 SO, 1.579 WHIP
- Career at Citizens Bank Park: 9-11, 4.91 ERA, 32 G, 31 GS, 165 IP, 167 H, 95 R, 90 ER, 31 HR, 48 BB, 198 SO, 1.303 WHIP
Starting Lineups:
| New York Mets (10-6) | Philadelphia Phillies (9-6) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | CF | Brandon Nimmo | L | 1 | LF | Andrew McCutchen | R |
| 2 | 1B | Pete Alonso | R | 2 | SS | Jean Segura | R |
| 3 | 2B | Robinson Cano | L | 3 | RF | Bryce Harper | L |
| 4 | RF | Michael Conforto | L | 4 | C | J.T. Realmuto | R |
| 5 | C | Wilson Ramos | R | 5 | 3B | Scott Kingery | R |
| 6 | LF | Jeff McNeil | L | 6 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 7 | SS | Amed Rosario | R | 7 | CF | Aaron Altherr | R |
| 8 | 3B | J.D. Davis | R | 8 | 1B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 9 | P | Steven Matz | R | 9 | P | Nick Pivetta | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
- TV: NBCSP
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- The Phillies will play their fifth game of a 17-game stretch without an off day. Since Friday, when the stretch began, 14 Phillies relievers have combined to throw 21 innings, with the club's starters lasting just seven, four, six, and four innings over the four games (also 21 total innings). The bullpen has thrown 15 innings alone over the last two games.
- In the News:
“#RingThatBell, baby. Let’s go!” — @bryceharper3 pic.twitter.com/USY7Ionc4a
— Matt Rappa (@mattrappasports) April 16, 2019
Bryce Harper rockin the Sixers #PhilaUnite shirt and socks
Bryce asked Sixers to send over Sixers swag for Phillies players to show support during playoffs#Phillies⚾️ pic.twitter.com/GC2d9fAzNn
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) April 16, 2019
What's Next:
- Wednesday, April 17, 2019: vs. New York Mets, 1:05 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pa.
- RHP Zack Wheeler (1-1, 7.47 ERA) vs. RHP Jake Arrieta (2-1, 2.25 ERA)
- TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
