By Nick Mandarano, Sports Talk Philly Staff 
PITTSBURGH — The Phillies are looking to win their first series since they won two games against the Miami Marlins in a series that took place from April 25-27. Aaron Nola, who has gone 2-0 with a 4.50 ERA in three starts this season, will return from injury today. The Phillies have lost 16 of their last 20 games. During that span, they have been outscored 117-88. On the road, they've lost 12 of their last 15 and hold just a .291 road win-percentage.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (15-22) | Pittsburgh Pirates (19-24) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Aaron Nola | RHP | Chad Kuhl | ||
| (2-0, 4.50 ERA) | (1-4, 6.69 ERA) | ||||
Aaron Nola — Age: 23;
- Last Start: April 20, 2017, at NYM: W, 5.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 SO, 1 HR
- Career vs. Rockies: N/A
On April 21, Aaron Nola was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a lower back strain after a game against the New York Mets. Now, a month later, he'll be making his return to the rotation. He made two rehab starts in AAA for Lehigh Valley with a 1-0 record and 0.87 ERA. His most recent rehab start was on May 15. He allowed two hits, walked one and struck out seven in 6.1 innings.
Chad Kuhl — Age: 24;
- Last Start: May 16, 2017, vs. WSH: L, 4.0 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 3 SO, 1 HR
- Career vs. Phillies: (1-0), 1 G, 6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 5 SO, 0 HR, 3.00 ERA
Just twice in eight outings this season has Kuhl gone six innings (April 13, 18). In his last two starts, he's gone 0-2 and allowed ten runs and 16 hits. Kuhl features a sinker, changeup and slider. His sinker will come in at around 96 mph, while his changeup an slider typically sit around 89-91 mph. Phillies hitters are 4-for-17 against Kuhl historically
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (15-25) | Pittsburgh Pirates (19-24) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 1 | LF | Adam Frazier | L |
| 2 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S | 2 | 2B | Josh Harrison | R |
| 3 | LF | Aaron Altherr | R | 3 | CF | Andrew McCutchen | R |
| 4 | RF | Michael Saunders | L | 4 | 1B | Josh Bell | S |
| 5 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | 5 | 3B | David Freese | R |
| 6 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | 6 | RF | John Jaso | L |
| 7 | 1B | Brock Stassi | L | 7 | C | Chris Stewart | R |
| 8 | C | Andrew Knapp | S | 8 | SS | Gift Ngoepe | R |
| 9 | P | Aaron Nola | R | 9 | P | Chad Kuhl | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 1:35 p.m.
- TV: CSN
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- As a team, the Phillies have allowed 23 home runs this season in situations where the batter has two strikes against him, including a 4th inning home run from David Freese in yesterday's game.
- On their current road trip, the Phillies bullpen has posted a 6.12 ERA (17 ER, 25.0 IP) as opponents are batting .275 (28-102). This season, the Philadelphia pen has allowed a NL-most 27 home runs.
- The Pirates are 34-18 all-time against the Phillies at PNC Park. Since the start of the 2014 season, the Pirates have gone 9-2 against the Phillies at PNC Park.
Standings:
| Updated: May 21, 2017 | |||||
| NL EAST | W | L | GB | RS | RA |
| Nationals | 25 | 17 | — | 243 | 203 |
| Braves | 18 | 22 | 6.0 | 186 | 208 |
| Mets | 18 | 23 | 6.5 | 205 | 225 |
| Phillies | 15 | 25 | 9.0 | 183 | 201 |
| Marlins | 15 | 27 | 10.0 | 175 | 216 |
What's Next:
- Monday, May 21, 2017: vs. Colorado Rockies, 7:05 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park
- RHP Jerad Eickhoff (0-4, 4.53 ERA) vs. TBA
- TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP.
