Philadelphia, PA – Having been swept by the Mets in a four-game series at home for the first time since September 6-9, 2002, the Philadelphia Phillies (50-78) will look to rebound in a three-game set against the San Diego Padres (62-65), before heading north to New York and Boston.
The Phillies are four losses shy of having a losing record for the fourth consecutive season. In the franchise's 132-year history, they have finished with a sub-.500 record 74 times (56.1%).
Southpaw Elvis Araujo has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left groin strain. Right hander Nefi Ogando, recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley, will be Araujo's replacement on the roster.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| San Diego Padres (62-65) | Philadelphia Phillies (50-78) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Ian Kennedy | RHP | Aaron Nola | ||
| (8-11, 4.01 ERA) | (4-1, 3.59 ERA) | ||||
Kennedy, 30, is 1-2 with a 5.63 ERA and a 1.438 WHIP ratio over three career starts in Philadelphia. He has surrendered at least one home run in six of his seven outings overall against the Phillies.
The nine-year veteran right hander has allowed just six earned runs in 24 2/3 innings this month, striking out 29 batters.
Rookie right hander Aaron Nola will take the mound for his eighth career start, and the fourth at Citizens Bank Park.
Nola, 22, is coming off of his best career start, in which he threw eight shutout innings on three hits and two walks against the Miami Marlins on August 23. He last faced the Padres on August 7, when he allowed three runs on six hits and two walks over six innings.
Starting Lineups:
| San Diego Padres (62-65) | Philadelphia Phillies (50-78) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | CF | Melvin Upton Jr. | R | 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 2 | 3B | Yangervis Solarte | S | 2 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L |
| 3 | LF | Justin Upton | R | 3 | RF | Aaron Altherr | R |
| 4 | SS | Jedd Gyorko | R | 4 | 1B | Ryan Howard | L |
| 5 | 1B | Yonder Alonso | L | 5 | 3B | Andres Blanco | S |
| 6 | C | Derek Norris | R | 6 | LF | Cody Asche | L |
| 7 | 2B | Cory Spangenberg | L | 7 | C | Cameron Rupp | R |
| 8 | P | Ian Kennedy | R | 8 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S |
| 9 | RF | Travis Jankowski | L | 9 | P | Aaron Nola | R |
Game Notes:
- Over seven games in opposition of Kennedy, the Phillies are batting .213/.268/.409 with eight doubles, eight home runs, 12 walks and 33 strikeouts in 181 plate appearances.
- Since taking over for manager Ryne Sandberg on June 26 following his resignation, Pete Mackanin has a 24-30 managerial record (.444) spanning 54 games. The Phillies were 26-48 (.351) at the time of Mackanin's promotion.
- Dating back to September 11, 2013, the Phillies have won each of their last five games against the Padres at Citizens Bank Park, outscoring and outhitting their opposition 29-12 and 47-27 respectively. On August 7-9 of this season, the Phillies swept a three-game series against the Padres in San Diego.
Broadcast Information:
- First-pitch: 7:05 pm EST
- TV: CSN
- Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
What's Next:
- Saturday, August 29, 2015: vs. San Diego Padres, 7:05 pm
- RHP Colin Rea (2-1, 5.52 ERA) vs. LHP Adam Morgan (4-4, 4.43 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: 98.1 WOGL, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
- Sunday, August 30, 2015: vs. San Diego Padres, 1:35 pm
- RHP James Shields (9-6, 3.89 ERA) vs. RHP Alec Asher (MLB debut)
- TV: CSN; Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
Matt Rappa (@mattrappasports) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
