By: Matt Rappa, managing editor 
CINCINNATI, Ohio — Having dropped the first two games of the series—due to late bullpen woes that have contributed to a league-worst ERA of 18.90—the Philadelphia Phillies (0-2) will look to salvage the series finale and snap a seven-game skid at Great American Ball Park Thursday afternoon.
The Phillies will start right-hander Charlie Morton, who has nine career starts at the venue, in opposition of right-hander Robert Stephenson, who will be making his Major League debut. Morton will be making his Phillies regular season debut, as he was acquired this offseason from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for minor-league RHP David Whitehead.
A loss this afternoon would be the first time the Phillies have been swept to open a season since 2007, home against the Atlanta Braves.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (0-2) | Cincinnati Reds (2-0) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Charlie Morton | RHP | Robert Stephenson | ||
| (2015: 9-9, 4.81 ERA) | (MLB debut) | ||||
Morton, 32, went 1-1 with a 4.63 ERA in 11 2/3 innings this spring, allowing six earned runs on nine hits and six walks.
With seven seasons played as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League Central division, 17 of Morton's 158 career appearances (10.8 percent) have come against the Reds.
Stephenson, 23, was drafted 27th overall by the Reds in the first round of the 2011 amateur draft.
Prior to the 2015 season, he was rated as the No. 16-best prospect by Baseball Prospectus, and No. 24-best by MLB.com, according to Baseball Reference. Stephenson is currently rated as the Reds' second-best prospect by MLB.com.
The Martinez, California, native has 488 strikeouts in 449 2/3 career minor league innings.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (0-2) | Cincinnati Reds (2-0) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S | 1 | CF | Scott Schebler | L |
| 2 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | 2 | 3B | Eugenio Suarez | R |
| 3 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | 3 | 1B | Joey Votto | L |
| 4 | 1B | Ryan Howard | L | 4 | LF | Adam Duvall | R |
| 5 | 2B | Andres Blanco | S | 5 | RF | Jay Bruce | L |
| 6 | LF | Cedric Hunter | L | 6 | 2B | Jordan Pacheco | R |
| 7 | C | Carlos Ruiz | R | 7 | SS | Ivan De Jesus | R |
| 8 | RF | Peter Bourjos | R | 8 | C | Tucker Barnhart | S |
| 9 | P | Charlie Morton | R | 9 | P | Robert Stephenson | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 12:35 p.m.
- TV: CSN
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- In 30 career at-bats against Morton, Reds outfielder Jay Bruce has eight hits (.267), six of which have gone for extra-bases. Second baseman Brandon Phillips is 12-37 (.324) lifetime against the right-hander with two doubles, while first baseman Joey Votto has walked seven times and hit 9-31 (.290).
- The Phillies' seven-game losing streak in Cincinnati is their longest since dropping nine straight from August 27, 1976, to August 28, 1977. They have dropped 10 of their last 11 games at Great American Ball Park dating back to April 15, 2013.
- The Phillies have dropped 20 of their last 26 games against National League Central division opponents. They are 23-23 all-time against the Reds at Great American Ball Park.
What's Next:
- Friday, April 8, 2016: at New York Mets, 1:10 p.m.
- Citi Field
- RHP Jerad Eickhoff (2015: 3-3, 2.65 ERA) vs. RHP Jacob deGrom (2015: 14-8, 2.54 ERA)
- TV: CSN, MLBN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
