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Philadelphia Phillies Opposition Roadblock: Seattle Mariners

By Mike Azzalina

May 7, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis (13) is mobbed by teammates after his walk-off sacrifice fly during the tenth inning defeated the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Nationals, 6-5 in 10 innings. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
May 7, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis (13) is mobbed by teammates after his walk-off sacrifice fly during the tenth inning defeated the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Nationals, 6-5 in 10 innings. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 22, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Ariel Miranda (37) delivers a pitch against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Ariel Miranda (37) delivers a pitch against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /

Pitcher: Ariel Miranda

With this being a short series, the Phillies will only be tested against two Mariner arms. As was mentioned before, the Seattle rotation has been buried with injuries. As a result, the two arms the Phils will face will be the lefty, Ariel Miranda and familiar righty, Yovanni Gallardo.

The Phillies have seen Gallardo a bunch over the course of the veteran’s career. Over the last two or three seasons, Gallardo’s career has really fallen off track. The current roster has not seen Gallardo much, but it is a much more aggressive offense, so I do expect them to have luck on Wednesday afternoon against a struggle Gallardo.

The same can’t be said for a guy they have never seen. Miranda has started 16 career games over the last two seasons. To this point, he has been pretty solid. In six starts this season, the southpaw has posted a 3-2 record, 3.88 ERA, and 29 strikeouts.

He has gone seven innings on two occasions this season (both resulting in Seattle wins). However, the pitching deep into games has not become a consistent part of his body of work yet. In the other four starts, he has gone 5, 5.2, 3, and 5.1 innings. The interesting part to all of this is that Miranda has not allowed more than four earned in any start to this point.

He is by no means overpowering. His fastball velocity sits in the low to mid-90s. Meanwhile, what appears to be his out pitch, the slider, hangs in the low eighties. He has only walked eight batters this season, so control does not appear to be an issue with which Miranda will struggle. It will certainly allow for the Phillies to be more aggressive early in counts.

Next: Phillies Farm System Report

I would assume that the Phillies will bolster the lineup with right-handed hitters tonight, but Miranda has not completely shut down lefties this season. Seeing as no current player on the Phils’ roster has ever faced Miranda, it is possible that Pete Mackanin runs out his everyday lineup that only presents one true lefty.

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