San Francisco, CA – The Phillies (32-44) are 6-18 this month, and look to win their first series in June against the NL West leading Giants (48-28) this afternoon.
In the first two games of the series, the Phillies offense was slow to get started. However, they hit well and often in the later innings. While the bullpen coughed up of a four run inning to surrender the lead in the first game, it pitched beautifully to secure a 3-2 win last night, defeating Madison Bumgarner. Aaron Nola takes the mound, trying to get him self back on track after three starts he would like to forget.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (32-44) | San Francisco Giants (48-28) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Aaron Nola | RHP | Johnny Cueto | ||
| (4-6, 4.41 ERA) | (11-1, 2.06 ERA) | ||||
In his last three starts, Nola hasn't been able to go as far as four innings. He's given up 22 hits and 20 runs in those three starts. Todd Zolecki, MLB.com beat reporter for the Phillies, said while he is struggling, it's reassuring that his problems are not affecting his velocity.
“It has been totally baffling to me, I mean he’s healthy, and the only reason I can say that and believe that is because his velocity is there," said Zolecki. "It’s not likes he’s going from 92 to 87, his velocity is there. It’s clearly a mechanical thing, this is a guy who’s entire game is control, he doesn’t walk anybody."
Nola has also walked seven in his last three starts, the most he's allowed in three consecutive starts this season.
Opposing Nola is Johnny Cueto. The first-year Giant is 11-1 this season with a 2.06 ERA and WHIP below 1.00. He has won eight straight decisions, and pitched against his former team in his last start, going 62/3 while allowing only four hits and one earned run to the Pirates.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (32-44) | San Francisco Giants (48-28) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | 1 | CF | Denard Span | L |
| 2 | RF | Peter Bourjos | R | 2 | LF | Angel Pagan | S |
| 3 | 1B | Tommy Joseph | R | 3 | 1B | Brandon Belt | L |
| 4 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | 4 | C | Buster Posey | R |
| 5 | LF | Cody Asche | L | 5 | SS | Brandon Crawford | L |
| 6 | C | Carlos Ruiz | R | 6 | RF | Jarrett Parker | L |
| 7 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S | 7 | 2B | Ramiro Pena | S |
| 8 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 8 | 3B | Conor Gillaspie | L |
| 9 | P | Aaron Nola | R | 9 | P | Johnny Cueto | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 4:05 p.m.
- TV: CSN
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
What's Next:
- Monday, June 27, 2016: at Arizona Diamondbacks, 9:40 p.m.
- Phoenix, AZ - Chase Field
- RHP Vince Velasquez (5-2, 3.65 ERA) vs. RHP Robbie Ray (4-6, 4.59 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
