Phillies, Hellickson seek rebound in series opener against Pirates

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

PITTSBURGH — The Philadelphia Phillies (14-24) will kick-off the final series of their nine-game road trip as they take on RHP Trevor Williams and the Pittsburgh Pirates (18-23) Friday evening at PNC Park.

Veteran right-hander Jeremy Hellickson will take the mound, as the Phillies seek to snap their four-game skid. Manager Pete Mackanin's club has won just three of its 15 games this month. Their 14-24 record matches their worst 38-game start to a season since 2000.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

Hellickson Career vs. PIT: 2-1, 2.76 ERA, 3 G, 3 GS, 16 1/3 IP, 13 H, 6 R, 5 ER, HR, 6 BB, 16 SO, 1.163 WHIP

Hellickson, 30, has struggled since his strong start to the season. After going 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA in five April starts, the right-hander is 0-1 with a 7.90 ERA through three May outings — none of which lasted more than five innings.

No National League pitcher has surrendered more home runs than Hellickson in the month of May, 7. He trails just the Houston Astros' Mike Fiers and the Chicago White Sox' Dylan Covey (8).

In one career start at PNC Park, the right-hander is 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA and 0.750 WHIP rati0.

Williams Career vs. PHI: N/A

Williams, 25, will make his third start — and fourth career start overall — as the Pirates' fifth man in the starting rotation. In his first start this season on May 8 at Dodger Stadium, the right-hander yielded eight runs (six earned) on seven hits, a walk and two strikeouts through three innings and 75 pitches. Williams rebounded on May 13 in Arizona, however, earning the win after his five-inning, one-run allowed effort.

In six relief appearances from April 9 to May 3, Williams posted a 5.40 ERA, while opposing batters hit .267/.358/.400 with 10 singles, seven walks and two home runs through 11 2/3 innings.

The San Diego, California native was drafted by the Miami Marlins in the second round of the June 2013 amateur draft. Two years later on Oct. 24, 2015, Williams was dealt to the Pirates in exchange for minor league RHP Richard Mitchell.

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

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

Game Notes:

• Since May 12, the Phillies have the second-worst bullpen ERA in the National League (7.08), trialing only the division rival New York Mets (11.00). Phillies relievers' 11 combined strikeouts over this stretch is the fewest among all Major League teams.
• Phillies first baseman Tommy Joseph is in the midst of a seven-game hitting streak, a stretch where he is batting .423/.516/1.000 with four home runs, six RBIs and five walks. Third baseman Maikel Franco has hit safely in five straight with a home run, walk and three RBIs. Joseph has raised his batting average 84 points in May with a MLB fifth-best .383 batting average.
• Since 2014, the Phillies are 1-8 at PNC Park with their only victory coming via a three-hit shutout by RHP Zach Eflin on July 22, 2016. Over this stretch, they have been out-scored 35-21 and out-hit 75-69.

NL East Standings (entering May 19, 2017)

What's Next:

• Saturday, May 20, 2017: at Pittsburgh Pirates, 4:05 p.m.
• PNC Park
• RHP Vince Velasquez (2-3, 5.63 ERA) vs. RHP Ivan Nova (3-3, 2.48 ERA)
• TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP