PITCHING MATCHUPS
TUESDAY: Aaron Nola (5-6, 3.51 ERA) vs Tyler Duffey (2-6, 5.56 ERA): Duffey is a 25-year old right-hander who was the Twins 5th round selection in the 2012 MLB Amateur Draft out of Rice University. He had a solid debut a year ago over 10 starts, but has struggled in this, his first full big league season. Duffey has been particularly awful over his last half-dozen starts, allowing 30 earned runs and 51 hits over 32.1 innings with a 26/9 K:BB ratio. Let’s be honest here: if the Phillies bats can’t blow the doors off this guy, they can’t do it against anyone in MLB.
WEDNESDAY: Adam Morgan (1-6, 6.49 ERA) vs Kyle Gibson (0-5, 6.06 ERA): Gibson is a former Top 100 prospect who was the 22nd overall pick in the 2009 MLB Amateur Draft by Minnesota. But at age 28 and now in his fourth big league season, he has been nothing more than a .500 pitcher at his best. Gibson is winless on the 2016 campaign, has allowed 37 hits over 32.2 innings, and has just a 17/15 K:BB ratio. Again, a pitcher who has been simply awful, and if the Phillies cannot hit him, who can they hit? On the other hand, Morgan has been just slightly less awful for the Phils, and this may be one of his final chances to demonstrate that he can at least be a serviceable 5th starter for the club.
THURSDAY: Jerad Eickhoff (4-9, 3.49 ERA) vs Tommy Milone (0-1, 5.79 ERA): Milone is a 29-year old lefty who has bounced from Washington to Oakland and now to Minnesota over a six-year MLB career. He gave up 26 hits in 23.1 innings over his first four 2016 outings, including five starts, earning himself a demotion back to AAA Rochester. Back in the minors, Milone has dominated over the past month, earning himself a second chance. This will be his first start in the Majors since April 25th.
Next: PHILLIES KEYS TO VICTORY IN TWIN CITIES