Phillies, Eickhoff look to split series against Marlins in final home game before trade deadline

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

PHILADELPHIA — Behind right-hander Jerad Eickhoff, the Philadelphia Phillies (44-52) will take on five-year veteran RHP Tom Koehler and the Miami Marlins (51-43) — who have won seven of their last nine games — Thursday evening at Citizens Bank Park.

It will be the Phillies' final game at home before the August 1 Major League Baseball non-waiver trade deadline. They will begin a 10-game road trip against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Marlins and Atlanta Braves (four-game series) on Friday.

Koehler has failed to throw a quality start in each of his last five starts, posting a 7.36 ERA, 2.000 WHIP ratio and .375/.430/.573 opposing slash with 18 earned runs and four home runs allowed over 22 innings. He had thrown seven consecutive quality starts leading up to this stretch. Eickhoff, on the other hand, has a 2.55 ERA and 1.216 WHIP ratio spanning four of his last five starts, excluding his July 9 outing at Coors Field (5 1/3 IP, 8 ER).

Starting Pitching Matchup:

Tom Koehler — Age: 30;

• Last Start: July 16, 2016, at STL: L, 4.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO
• Career vs. PHI: (2-4), 13 G, 11 GS, 67.2 IP, 64 H, 36 R, 30 ER, 26 BB, 58 SO, 5 HR, 3.99 ERA
  2016 vs. PHI: (0-1), 2 G, 2 GS, 14.0 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 7 BB, 12 SO, 1.93 ERA

Jerad Eickhoff — Age: 26;

• Last Start: July 16, 2016, vs. NYM: ND, 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 3 SO
• Career vs. MIA: (1-1), 2 G, 2 GS, 12.0 IP, 11 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 9 SO, 2 HR, 2.25 ERA
  2016 vs. MIA: (0-1), G, GS, 6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO, 2 HR, 4.50 ERA

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

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

Game Notes:

• The only active Phillie to have homered against Koehler in their respective career is left fielder Cody Asche (17 PA).
• Phillies right-handed relievers Jeanmar Gomez and David Hernandez are reportedly being 'monitored' by the San Francisco Giants. Gomez recorded his 26th save (fifth-best in the National League) out of 29 opportunities in Wednesday evening's 4-1 victory. Hernandez has a 8.79 ERA, two holds and two losing decisions over his last 14 appearances.
• Since 2015, the Phillies are 8-7 at home and 7-6 away against the Marlins (15-13, .536 overall). The Phillies are 11-4-3 over their last 18 series against the Marlins at Citizens Bank Park, dating back to September 2010.
• Today in Phillies' history: One year ago today, 2014 first round pick RHP Aaron Nola made his MLB debut against the Tampa Bay Rays (6 IP, 5 H, R, ER, BB, 6 SO, HR, 88 pitches). Nola is 11-10 with a 4.06 ERA and 179 strikeouts through 31 career starts and 179 2/3 IP.

Standings:

What's Next:

• Friday, July 22, 2016: at Pittsburgh Pirates, 7:05 p.m.
• PNC Park
  
• RHP Zach Eflin (2-3, 4.14 ERA) vs. RHP Gerrit Cole (5-5, 3.11 ERA)
• TV: NBC10; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP