By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor 
San Francisco, CA — The Philadelphia Phillies (43-75) have lost six of their last seven and are just 4-11 in the month of August after getting swept in a three-game series by the Padres earlier this week. Tonight, they embark on a four-game set with the slumping San Francisco Giants (48-74) at 10:10 p.m. at AT&T Park.
Nick Pivetta gave up three runs in five innings and struck out 11 batters on Wednesday afternoon, but it wasn't enough as Clayton Richard, who entered the game with an ERA over five, silenced the Phillies bats in the series finale against the Padres in San Diego on Wednesday afternoon.
Aaron Nola, the pitcher who led the Phillies to their last win on August 12, gets the start tonight against Giants veteran right-hander Jeff Samardzija.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (43-75) | San Francisco Giants (48-74) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Aaron Nola | RHP | Jeff Samardzija | ||
| (9-7, 3.02 ERA) | (7-12, 4.74 ERA) | ||||
Aaron Nola's last outing, career vs. SD: The Phillies have emerged victorious in four of Nola's last five outings, which included his most recent start on August 12 against the Mets. Nola spun seven innings of one-run ball, walking just one while striking out eight. Over his last 10 starts, he has a 1.71 ERA, allowing two runs or less in each of them while going six innings or more as well. Nola has just one start against the Giants in his career, giving up five runs on 10 hits in just 3.1 innings of work back on June 26, 2016.
Jeff Samardzija's last start, career vs. PHI: Although his ERA is close to five, Samardzija has put together four straight quality starts, going 3-1 with a 3.29 ERA. His last outing came on August 12 against the Nationals. Samardzija took the loss, giving up three runs on nine hits over six innings, striking out six. His 8.67 career ERA against Philadelphia is the highest against any team he's pitched against. He's pitched against them 10 times, four starts, allowing 26 earned runs in 27 innings, but no current Phillies hitters have faced him before.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (43-75) | San Diego Padres (48-74) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 1 | CF | Denard Span | L |
| 2 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S | 2 | RF | Hunter Pence | R |
| 3 | CF | Nick Williams | L | 3 | LF | Jarrett Parker | L |
| 4 | LF | Rhys Hoskins | R | 4 | C | Buster Posey | R |
| 5 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | 5 | 3B | Pablo Sandoval | S |
| 6 | RF | Hyun Soo Kim | L | 6 | SS | Brandon Crawford | L |
| 7 | 1B | Tommy Joseph | R | 7 | 1B | Ryder Jones | L |
| 8 | C | Cameron Rupp | R | 8 | 2B | Kelby Tomlinson | R |
| 9 | P | Aaron Nola | R | 9 | P | Jeff Samardzija | R |
Game Notes:
- Expect Cameron Perkins to get some more playing time in the series with the AT&T Park outfield being a difficult one to cover. With Odubel Herrera, Daniel Nava and Aaron Altherr sidelined, this will pose a tough test for a guys like Rhys Hoskins and Hyun Soo Kim, who are both better suited for first base.
- In August, Maikel Franco is hitting just .186 with one home run and zero walks. Tommy Joseph has struggled even more, posting a .102 average since August 2.
- Despite the Giants having only 48 wins in a disappointing season, Buster Posey is putting together a strong 2017 campaign, slashing .316/.406/.473.
- The Phillies are 6-20 against the NL West this season, the worst record for any team against any division during the 2017 season.
- Aaron Nola is the first Phillies starter since 1893 to put together 10 straight starts of six innings or more while allowing two runs or less. Nola last allowed more than two runs back on June 16, surrendering five runs over six innings against the Diamondbacks.
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 10:10 p.m.
- TV: CSN
- Radio: 1210 WPHT
What's Next:
- Friday, August 18, 2017: at San Francisco Giants, 3:40 p.m.
- AT&T
- RHP Zach Eflin (1-4, 5.76 ERA) vs. LHP Matt Moore (3-12, 5.71 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
