Phillies face former top prospect Jarred Cosart, Padres in rubber match

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

SAN DIEGO — The Sunday afternoon rubber match of the three-game series between the Philadelphia Phillies (51-61) and the San Diego Padres (48-62) at Petco Park will feature a battle between two 26-year-old right-handers: Jerad Eickhoff and former top prospect Jarred Cosart.

Cosart was rated as the No. 70 prospect by Baseball America entering the 2011 season. In 41 appearances and 203 2/3 innings within the Phillies' minor league system from 2009-2011, Cosart was 18-13 with a 3.67 ERA and 1.159 WHIP ratio. Drafted in the 38th round of the 2008 amateur draft, Cosart was dealt to the Houston Astros on July 29, 2011, as part of the trade to acquire outfielder Hunter Pence.

So far in the month of August, the Phillies are 3-2 with 6.4 runs scored per game and 32 runs overall, which is tied with the New York Yankees for the sixth-most in baseball. The Phillies fell 9-7 Saturday evening in the debut of RHP Jake Thompson, the 2000th player in franchise history.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

Jerad Eickhoff — Age: 26;

• Last Start: July 31 2016, at ATL: ND, 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, SO
• Career vs. SDP: (1-0), 1 G, 7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 9 SO, 0.00 ERA

Eickhoff's most recent start, where he threw five shutout innings on just 51 pitches, was cut short due to a rain delay. The right-hander has a 112-31 strikeout-to-walk ratio this season.

Jarred Cosart — Age: 26;

• Last Start: August 1, 2016, vs. MIL: ND, 3.1 IP, H, 0 R, 6 BB, 3 SO
• Career vs. PHI: (1-1), 4 G, 20.0 IP, 16 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 15 SO, HR, 1.80 ERA

On July 29, Cosart was traded for the third time of his career, acquired from the Miami Marlins — along with RHP Carter Capps and minor-leaguers Luis Castillo and Josh Naylor

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

• First pitch: 4:40 p.m.
• TV: CSN
• Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game Notes:

• Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is batting .714/.714/1.714 over seven plate appearances during the month of August with two singles, one double, two home runs, two RBIs and just one strikeout.
• The Phillies have had 10 consecutive winning seasons against the Padres dating back to 2007. They are 31-11 in 42 games all-time at Petco Park and are 12-11 against National League West opponents this season.
• Among active members of the Phillies, outfielder Cody Asche has had the most success against Cosart, going 3-7 with a solo home run and walk (.429/.500/.857). Padres infielders Adam Rosales, Wil Myers and catcher Christian Bethancourt are a combined 0-9 lifetime against Eickhoff with three strikeouts.

Standings:

What's Next:

• Monday, August 8, 2016: at Los Angeles Dodgers, 10:10 p.m.
• Dodger Stadium
  
• RHP Zach Eflin (3-4, 4.77 ERA) vs. TBA
• TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP