Phillies open 2nd-to-last homestand of season as Quinn makes home debut against Cole, Pirates

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies (63-80) — who have lost four of their last five games and 10 of their last 13 — will begin their second-to-last homestand of the season as RHP Jeremy Hellickson opposes RHP Gerrit Cole and the Pittsburgh Pirates (69-72) in the first of a four-game set Monday evening at Citizens Bank Park.

Right fielder Roman Quinn will make his Citizens Bank Park debut. The 23-year-old switch-hitter went 0-3 with a walk during his major league debut Sunday afternoon at Nationals Park.

Similar to manager Pete Mackanin's club, the Pirates have fallen in 11 of their last 13 contests and currently trail the second National League Wild Card spot by six games.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

Gerrit Cole — Age: 26;

• Last Start: August 24, 2016, vs. HOU: L, 5.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, BB, 4 SO, HR
• Career vs. PHI: (3-2), 5 G, 29.1 IP, 26 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 5 BB, 30 SO, 2.15 ERA

Cole returns to the mound for his first start since August 24 after being placed on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow posterior inflammation. He replaces 24-year-old RHP Jameson Taillon, whose turn was skipped in an effort to minimize his innings pitched.

Jeremy Hellickson — Age: 29;

• Last Start: Sept. 7, 2016, at MIA: L, 6.0 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 3 ER, SO
• Career vs. PIT: (1-1), 2 G, 10.0 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 10 SO, HR, 4.50 ERA

Hellickson will be making his 29th start of the season and his 15th at Citizens Bank Park. Over his last five outings at the venue, he is 2-1 with a 3.27 ERA and 1.030 WHIP ratio with 30 strikeouts and just six walks.

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

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

Game Notes:

• Phillies starting pitchers have allowed three earned runs or fewer in nine consecutive starts, posting a MLB-best 2.11 ERA (13 earned runs over 55 1/3 innings), according to MLB.com.
• Since 2012, the Phillies are 6-10 against the Pirates at Citizens Bank Park, outscored and outhit 72-58 and 140-128, respectively. They are 10-19 (.345) against National League Central opponents this season.
• Over 54 career plate appearances, Hellickson has limited active members of the Pirates to a .160/.222/.280 slash with just four extra-base hits, two RBIs, three walks and 11 strikeouts. Meanwhile, no active member of the Phillies has yet to hit a home run off of Cole through 69 combined plate appearances.

Standings:

What's Next:

• Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016: vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 7:05 p.m.
• Citizens Bank Park
  
• RHP Ivan Nova (12-6, 4.13 ERA) vs. RHP Alec Asher (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
• TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP