Phillies, Jerad Eickhoff eye 15th series win of season

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

PHILADELPHIA — Behind RHP Jerad Eickhoff, the Philadelphia Phillies (54-63) will look to capture their 15th series victory of the season as they face rookie LHP Tyler Anderson and the Colorado Rockies (56-60) Saturday evening at Citizen Bank Park.

The Phillies will also try to become the team with the most wins all-time against the Rockies among those outside of the National League West. They are currently tied with the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves at 102 victories over the 24-year franchise.

Out of 37 series so far this season, Pete Mackanin's club is 14-19-4 and is averaging 3.77 runs scored per game. The Phillies have won three of their last five games at home, outscoring their opponents 33-30.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

Tyler Anderson — Age: 26;

• Last Start: August 8 2016, vs. TEX: ND, 7.0 IP, 2 H, R, ER, 3 BB, 5 SO, HR
• Career vs. PHI: (1-0), 1 G, 6.0 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 6 SO, HR, 3.00 ERA

Anderson's first career victory came against the Phillies on July 9 at Coors Field, where he tossed six innings of two-run baseball on nine hits and six strikeouts.

The rookie southpaw has won four consecutive decisions, a stretch of six starts where has a 3.05 ERA and 31-9 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Over his 11 career starts, Anderson has allowed more than three runs once (7/18 vs. TBR) and tossed fewer than six innings twice (6/19 at MIA, 6/24 vs. ARI).

Jerad Eickhoff — Age: 26;

• Last Start: August 7, 2016, at SDP: W, 6.0 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 5 SO, 2 HR
• Career vs. COL: (0-1), 1 G, 5.1 IP, 8 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO, HR, 13.50 ERA

Eickhoff's only career start against the Rockies — also on July 9 — ended in his 10th losing decision of the decision after allowing eight runs on eight hits and two walks in just 5 1/3 innings.

In 11 starts at home this season, the right-hander is 4-5 with a 2.92 ERA and 1.099 WHIP ratio.

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

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

Game Notes:

• In six games during the month of August, Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is batting .500/.500/1.050 with three home runs and 10 RBIs over 20 plate appearances. The three-time All-Star delivered in Friday's 10-6 victory with a fifth-inning grand slam, which extended his franchise record to 14.
• Phillies on DL:
  • 15-day: IF Andres Blanco, RHP Zach Eflin, RHP Aaron Nola;
  • 60-day: LHP Matt Harrison, RHP Charlie Morton
    
• Rockies on DL:
  • 15-day: RHP Justin Miller, RHP Jason Motte, RHP Chad Qualls, 1B Mark Reynolds, SS Trevor Story;
  • 60-day: RHP Jairo Diaz
• Rockies rookie outfielder David Dahl's 17-game hitting streak to begin his career was snapped against the Phillies on Friday. Dahl would have set a major league record with 18, besting Cincinnati Reds third baseman Chuck Aleno's 75-year-old record.
• Phillies rookie first baseman Tommy Joseph has a career 2.333 slugging percentage against Anderson with a single, double, and solo home run over three plate appearances.

Standings:

What's Next:

• Sunday, August 14, 2016: vs. Colorado Rockies, 1:35 p.m.
• Citizens Bank Park
  
• RHP Tyler Chatwood (10-7, 3.58 ERA) vs. TBA
• TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP