Having won eight out of their last nine games played at Citizens Bank Park, and 12 of 14 games overall since the Mid-Summer Classic, the Philadelphia Phillies (41-64) will look to sweep their division rival Atlanta Braves (46-58) this afternoon in a Sunday series finale matinee.
Opposing rookie southpaw Adam Morgan, who will be making his seventh career start, will be Braves' top-of-the-rotation right hander Julio Teheran.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Atlanta Braves (46-58) | Philadelphia Phillies (41-64) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Julio Teheran | LHP | Adam Morgan | ||
| (6-6, 4.71 ERA) | (2-2, 4.05 ERA) | ||||
Teheran, 24, is 4-3 with a 2.56 ERA in 56 and a third career innings pitched against the Phillies. Over 20 and two-thirds innings at Citizens Bank Park, he is 2-1 with a 1.74 ERA.
The right hander's last five starts against Philadelphia is the most telling of his effectiveness on the hill. He has posted a 3-1 record with a 0.96 ERA, four earned runs in 37 and two-thirds innings, and a 0.850 WHIP ratio.
Opposing batters against the 2014 National League All-Star batted .231/.336/.380 against him in the month of July, picking up four doubles and four home runs over 108 at-bats.
Nearly one month ago on July 3 against the Phillies, Teheran threw seven innings of one-run baseball, which was an unearned run, as the Braves went on to win, 2-1. This game was ironically also against today's Phillies' starter, 25-year-old left hander Adam Morgan.
In 33 and a third innings pitched this season, Morgan has allowed 35 hits, 15 runs, six home runs and ten walks, while striking out 20 batters.
Today will be the first time Morgan has faced a repeat opponent, rather than a new club. On July 3, in his second career outing, he suffered a loss despite allowing just two runs over five hits and two walks in seven innings.
Over three career starts at Citizens Bank Park, Morgan is 1-0 with a 3.31 ERA and a 1.469 WHIP ratio. He has received a combined total of 20 supporting runs over these starts, and has allowed just six earned runs on the mound.
Game Notes:
- Two of first baseman Ryan Howard's three career hits off of Teheran, in 18 at-bats, have been solo home runs. The "Big Piece" is currently amongst a seven-game hitting streak (.462 batting average).
- In 14 games since the All-Star break, the Phillies starting rotation is 8-2 with a 3.64 ERA (33 ER, 81.2 IP). During the unofficial first half of the season, the Phillies' rotation went 18-49 with a 5.44 ERA (304 ER, 503.1 IP).
- The Phillies have a 25-56 record (.490) at home this season, and are 52-54 (.491) all-time against the Braves at Citizens Bank Park.
Promotion: Toyota Phillies Wall of Fame Fathead
Broadcast Information:
- First-pitch: 1:35 pm EST
- TV: CSN
- Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
What's Next:
- Tuesday, August 4, 2015: vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 7:05 pm
- LHP Alex Wood (7-6, 3.54 ERA) vs. RHP Jerome Williams (3-8, 6.36 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
- Wednesday, August 5, 2015: vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 7:05 pm
- LHP Brett Anderson (5-6, 3.14 ERA) vs. RHP Aaron Harang (5-11, 3.97 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
- Thursday, August 6, 2015: vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 1:05 pm
- TBA vs. RHP David Buchanan (2-5, 6.44 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
Matt Rappa (@mattrappasports) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
