Playing their first game at Citizens Bank Park since July 2, the Philadelphia Phillies (29-62) will look to snap their five game losing streak as they oppose 22-year-old right hander Jose Fernandez and the Miami Marlins (38-51).
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Miami Marlins (38-51) | Philadelphia Phillies (29-62) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Jose Fernandez | LHP | Adam Morgan | ||
| (2-0, 2.08 ERA) | (1-2, 4.32 ERA) | ||||
Fernandez will be making his third start of the season tonight. The 2013 National League Rookie of the Year returned to the mound earlier this month, fully recovered from his May 16, 2014 Tommy John surgery to repair a torn UCL in his right elbow.
In 13.0 combined innings against the San Francisco Giants and Cincinnati Reds, Fernandez is 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA and a 1.000 WHIP ratio. He has struck out 15 of the 50 batters he has faced, 30%.
Over four career starts against the Phillies, 22.0 innings, Fernandez is 2-2 with a 2.86 ERA. Ironically, the only Phillie batter to ever hit a home run off of the right hander was right fielder Delmon Young, in the fourth inning on May 21, 2013 to give Philadelphia a 1-0 lead.
Morgan, 25, will take the mound for his fourth career start, in opposition of Fernandez. Tonight will be his second outing of the season in Philadelphia, his first since June 21 when he allowed just one run in 5.2 innings to win his major league debut.
In the southpaw's most recent start, July 8 at Dodger Stadium, he gave up a career-high five runs, striking out a career-low one batter.
All eight of Morgan's earned runs allowed this season have scored off of the five home runs he has given up: Peralta (STL), Gomes (ATL), Uribe (ATL), Ellis (LAD), and Rollins (LAD).
Starting Lineups:
| Miami Marlins (38-51) | Philadelphia Phillies (29-62) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Batter | Bats | Position | Batter | Bats | ||
| 1 | SS | Adeiny Hechavarria | R | 1 | CF | Ben Revere | L |
| 2 | 2B | Martin Prado | R | 2 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 3 | CF | Christian Yelich | L | 3 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 4 | 3B | Casey McGehee | R | 4 | 1B | Ryan Howard | L |
| 5 | 1B | Justin Bour | L | 5 | LF | Cody Asche | L |
| 6 | C | J.T. Realmuto | R | 6 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S |
| 7 | LF | Michael Morse | R | 7 | RF | Domonic Brown | L |
| 8 | RF | Cole Gillespie | R | 8 | C | Cameron Rupp | R |
| 9 | P | Jose Fernandez | R | 9 | P | Adam Morgan | L |
Game Notes:
- The Phillies have lost 26 of their last 33 games (.212 win %), and 39 of their last 51 (.235). Additionally, they have the worst overall record in baseball, 33 games under .500 (.319).
- Center fielder Ben Revere, right fielder Domonic Brown and first baseman Ryan Howard are a combined 3-25 (0.120 AVG) in their careers against Fernandez.
- The Phillies are 62-44 all-time against the Marlins' franchise at Citizens Bank Park. Earlier this season, April 21-23, the Marlins won two out of three at the venue by outscoring Philadelphia 18 runs to nine.
Broadcast Information:
- First-pitch: 7:05 pm EST
- TV: CSN
- Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
What's Next:
- Saturday, July 18, 2015: vs. Miami Marlins, 7:05 pm
- RHP Tom Koehler (7-5, 3.40 ERA) vs. RHP Chad Billingsley (1-3, 6.75 ERA)
- TV: NBC10; Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
- Sunday, July 19, 2015: vs. Miami Marlins, 1:35 pm
- RHP Dan Haren (7-5, 3.24 ERA) vs. LHP Cole Hamels (5-7, 3.63 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
Matt Rappa (@mattrappasports) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
