Phillies’ Jerad Eickhoff set to oppose rookie Tyler Anderson, Rockies

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

DENVER — In their second-to-last game before the All-Star break, the Philadelphia Phillies (41-47) will send RHP Jerad Eickhoff to the mound for his 18th start of the season against rookie southpaw Tyler Anderson and the Colorado Rockies (39-47) in the third of a four-game series Saturday evening at Coors Field.

Among National League teams for the month of July, the Phillies rank fourth in hits (75), home runs (14) and batting average (.279), fifth in runs scored (37) and sixth in RBIs (35). They are tied for second-to-last in walks, however (15).

Additionally, the Phillies have three players ranking in the top 15 among National League batters for highest batting average in the current month: third baseman Maikel Franco (1st, .467), second baseman Cesar Hernandez (2nd, .433) and right fielder Peter Bourjos (14th, .367).

The Phillies have won five of their last six games and nine of their last 11.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

Jerad Eickhoff — Age: 26;

• Last Start: July 4, 2016, vs. ATL: W, 7.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 8 SO, HR
• Career vs. COL: N/A

Over his last five starts, Eickhoff is 3-1 with a 2.37 ERA and 1.352 WHIP. He has allowed three runs or fewer in 15 of his 17 starts this season and has thrown six or more innings in 12.

Tyler Anderson — Age: 26;

• Last Start: July 4, 2016, at SFG: L, 6.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, BB, 2 SO, 2 HR
• Career vs. PHI: N/A

Selected 20th overall in the 2011 amateur draft, Anderson made his Major League debut on June 12, having recovered from a strained right oblique injury suffered during spring training. He missed the entire 2015 season due to a left elbow injury, the same area of concern where two years prior he suffered a stress fracture.

Anderson was 2-2 with a 2.35 ERA and .205/.286/.286 opposing slash in six starts across three minor league levels this season. So far through five starts at the big league level, the Las Vegas, Nevada, native has yet to earn a winning decision.

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

• First pitch: 8:40 p.m.
• TV: CSN
• Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game Notes:

• Since July 4, Phillies rookie first baseman Tommy Joseph is batting .500/.538/1.083 in 13 plate appearances with three singles, one double and walk, two home runs and five RBIs.
• Franco is currently riding an eight-game hitting streak, tied for ninth-longest in baseball. He has an extra-base hit in six consecutive games, a stretch where he is batting .435/.458/1.043 with one walk, two doubles, four home runs and six RBIs.
• Eickhoff's 2.37 ERA since June 9 ranks 12th best throughout Major League Baseball.

Standings:

What's Next:

• Sunday, July 10, 2016: at Colorado Rockies, 4:10 p.m.
• Coors Field
  
• RHP Zach Eflin (1-2, 4.30 ERA) vs. RHP Tyler Chatwood (8-4, 3.08 ERA)
• TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP