Series Preview: Diamondbacks at Phillies

In their final series of a 10-game homestand, the Phillies (13-23) welcome the Arizona Diamondbacks (15-18), who are coming off a series loss to the Washington Nationals.  The DBacks currently are in 4th place in the National League West, 7 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Arizona has one of baseball’s top offensive attacks to this point, and brings with them an armory of hitters in Paul Goldschmidt (.347/.451/.653, 9 HR, 28 RBI, 6 SB), Ender Inciarte (.315/.341/.435, 1 HR, 14 RBI, 4 SB), AJ Pollock (.300/.351/.417, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 6 SB), and Mark Trumbo (.284/.322/.560, 6 HR, 19 RBI).

The Fightin’ Phils, on the opposite end of the spectrum, have baseball’s worst offense. The Phillies will utilize top hitters Freddy Galvis (.353/.403/.412, 1 H, 9 RBI, 3 SB), Odubel Herrera (.274/.302/.387, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 5 SB), and Ben Revere (.250/.292/.346, 11 RBI, 6 SB). Also worth mentioning is Ryan Howard (.230/.293/.478, 7 HR, 16 RBI), who has been hitting the ball with more authority lately.

The Phillies will also be receiving some lineup help this weekend. As speculated on previously here at TBOH, Maikel Franco has received the callup from AAA today, and should be the starting 3rd baseman from this point forward . Franco put up fantastic numbers (.350/.372/.540, 4 HR, 23 RBI) this year with Lehigh Valley, and appears ready to contribute.

PITCHING MATCHUPS:

Chad Billingsley (0-2, 9.00) v. Chase Anderson (0-1, 2.97 ERA) – Billingsley comes into this matchup hoping to perform better than his first two starts. He’s given up 10 earned runs in 10 innings pitched, and will look to make an improvement against the Diamondbacks, against whom he has tossed more innings than any other opponent in his career. The righty has 155 innings against them, with a 10-9 record across 25 starts. Anderson is the owner of nice stats on the 2015 season, but is winless thus far. He did nearly all he could in his last start (7 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 2 SO, 2 BB), but his team surrendered the lead and lost in the 12^th inning. Anderson will try again tonight for his first win of the season.

Jerome Williams (2-3, 5.21 ERA) v. Archie Bradley (2-0 1.80 ERA) – Williams was very mediocre in his last outing (5 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 4 SO, 4 BB), and has taken a slight dip over his last few starts. He looks to get back on course tomorrow evening. Bradley returns from the DL after getting nailed in the face on April 28th by a comebacker. The top DBacks prospect had been having a very nice rookie campaign before having it interrupted by this brutal injury.

Sean O’Sullivan (0-2, 5.06 ERA) v. Josh Collmenter (3-4, 5.27 ERA) – O’Sullivan, like Williams, was also middling in his last performance (5 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 2 SO, 1 BB), but is hopeful he can show some improvement on Sunday afternoon. He will be opposed by Collmenter, who was pulverized by the Nationals in his last start (1.1 IP, 9 ER, 8 H, 0 SO, 1 BB). After two poor outings in a row, Collmenter is looking for a strong start against the Phillies to rectify the path of his season.

SERIES KEYS:

Offense Needs to Back Pitching – Neither one of the Phillies’ best two pitchers in Aaron Harang or Cole Hamels will pitch in this series, which leaves the team in a difficult position. All three pitchers going in this series have ERAs over 5, so they will most likely need some support from the offense. The onus is on the hitters to grind out at-bats, wait for their pitch, and take advantage of any breaks they may receive. As seen in yesterday’s game, they are capable of putting a few runs on the board, so hopefully they will be able to do so this weekend to create opportunities to win some ballgames.

Maikel Franco – As mentioned earlier, Franco returns this weekend, and is expected to be the longterm answer at 3rd base. Young and exciting players bring with them buzz and enthusiasm, and his arrival will hopefully help the Phillies lineup catch fire. The Phillies are also hopeful that he will be an immediate threat at the plate, boosting them in the right-handed power department.

BROADCAST INFORMATION:

Game 1- Friday, 7:05 PM, TV: CSN, Radio: 1210FM, 94AM, 1480AM (Spanish Language)

Game 2- Saturday, 7:05 PM, TV: NBC10, Radio: 1210FM, 94AM, 1480AM (Spanish Language)

Game 3- Sunday, 1:35 PM, TV: CSN, Radio: 1210FM, 94AM, 1480AM (Spanish Language)

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE for Citizens Bank Park area of South Philly

More from That Balls Outta Here

• How Phillies’ Ranger Suárez is set to build on 2022 postseason dominance
• What can Philadelphia Phillies expect from Bryson Stott in 2023?
• 3 Reasons to get excited for Phillies’ Craig Kimbrel signing
• 11 Free-agent deals the Philadelphia Phillies wish fell through
• Phillies-Mets owners’ rivalry grows after shocking Carlos Correa deal

Today

Partly sunny, with a high near 75. South wind 8 to 10 mph.

Tonight

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind 6 to 8 mph.

Saturday

Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Southwest wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Sunday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. West wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

INJURIES