With multiple teams interested in acquiring second baseman Chase Utley through trade, every at-bat of his could be his last as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies (46-70).
Tonight, the 13-year veteran will play his 1,550th career game, and his 1,483rd in the field, as the Phillies look to avoid their second consecutive series defeat.
Right hander Jerome Williams will seek his fifth winning decision tonight as he takes the mound for the 19th time this season.
Rookie third baseman Maikel Franco (wrist) remains out of the lineup tonight, and likely for the remainder of the series as he 'does not expect to play Sunday either'. Expect Franco to return Tuesday evening against former teammate Ben Revere and the Toronto Blue Jays.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (46-70) | Milwaukee Brewers (49-68) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Jerome Williams | RHP | Jimmy Nelson | ||
| (4-8, 5.73 ERA) | (9-9, 3.65 ERA) | ||||
Williams, 33, is 1-1 with a 4.26 ERA in three career starts at Miller Park.
Since returning from the 15-day disabled list on July 24, recovered from a strained left hamstring, the right hander native to Honolulu, Hawaii has allowed nine earned runs over four starts and 22 and two-thirds innings.
Nelson, 26, has just one career appearance against the Phillies, which occurred this season on June 29 at Citizens Bank Park. In five innings of work, he surrendered four runs on six hits and two walks as the Brewers went on to win, 7-4.
Drafted 64th overall in the 2010 amateur draft, Nelson has been successful over the past two months of the season, spanning seven starts. In four of these outings, the Brewers' right hander did not allow an earned run.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (46-70) | Milwaukee Brewers (49-68) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 2B | Chase Utley | L | 1 | CF | Shane Peterson | L |
| 2 | 3B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 2 | C | Jonathan Lucroy | R |
| 3 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | 3 | RF | Ryan Braun | R |
| 4 | 1B | Ryan Howard | L | 4 | 1B | Adam Lind | L |
| 5 | RF | Jeff Francoeur | R | 5 | LF | Khris Davis | R |
| 6 | LF | Cody Asche | L | 6 | 2B | Scooter Gennett | L |
| 7 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S | 7 | SS | Jean Segura | R |
| 8 | C | Carlos Ruiz | R | 8 | 3B | Elian Herrera | S |
| 9 | P | Jerome Williams | R | 9 | P | Jimmy Nelson | R |
Game Notes:
- The Phillies are 0-5 against the Brewers this season, having been outscored by 11 runs, 31-20.
- Batter vs. Pitcher Career Statistics (click to expand):
- Since returning from the disabled list on August 7, Utley is batting .500/.478/.682 (11-22) with three scored runs, four doubles, four runs-batted-in, and just two strikeouts over 23 plate appearances.
Broadcast Information:
- First-pitch: 7:10 pm EST
- TV: NBC10
- Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
What's Next:
- Sunday, August 16, 2015: at Milwaukee Brewers, 2:10 pm
- RHP Aaron Harang (5-13, 4.52 ERA) vs. RHP Taylor Jungmann (6-4, 2.42 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: 98.1 WOGL, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
Matt Rappa (@mattrappasports) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
