Phillies: Five things to watch for vs the Rockies this week

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May 20, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco (7) is greeted crossing home plate to score a run by pinch hitter Brock Stassi (41) during the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Another lost series drives the Phillies further into an endless pit, but they return home looking to rebound in a big way

Losers in 17 of their last 21 games, the Phillies have found their lowest of lows in an endless season. After a strong 7-2 victory over the Pirates, the Phils have dropped two straight with no thanks to their offense.

Now back in their own beds, the Phillies have an opportunity to create some damage at home against the first place Colorado Rockies.

This year’s worst-to-first Cinderella team, Colorado has the second most wins in baseball and sits atop the National League West at 27-17.

Playing in the thin altitude the offense has supported a pitching staff with a major home disadvantage. They’ve scored the fifth-most runs in the league while averaging five runs a game.

With a strong core consisting of Carlos Gonzalez, Charlie Blackmon, D.J. LeMahieu, and Nolan Arenado the Rockies are ready to roll in Philadelphia.

May 7, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Tyler Chatwood (32) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Keep an eye on Tyler Chatwood

As alluded to earlier, the Rockies pitchers take a major hit when pitching at home thanks to the thin atmosphere. A perfect example is 27-year-old Tyler Chatwood, whose home vs away stats are day and night, not just this year, but in his career.

In fact, Chatwood might be an interesting option for the Phillies come free agency this winter.

Feb 16, 2017; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Tyler Chatwood (32) throws during a workout at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

A career ERA of 4.28 in 106 games scares away most of the marketplace, but consider Chatwood not making 15 appearances at home every season.

Chatwood’s ERA in Colorado is awful, sitting at 5.16 in 289.2 innings for the Rockies. Outside of the unfriendly confines, the righty has a 3.32 ERA in 263.1 innings. Opponents hit nearly 50 points better against Chatwood in Colorado compared to the road.

Some of the Phils hitters also have Chatwood’s number; Franco is 2-5, Rupp is 3-5, and Galvis is 2-6.

So keep an eye on Chatwood this week when he faces the Phillies, because not only may he surprise you, but he could swap his purple and black for some red and white.

Jul 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jerad Eickhoff (48) pitches during the first inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Jerad Eickhoff still eyeing first win

A strong outing against his former team was wasted last week when Jerad Eickhoff struckout eight Rangers in six innings. The righty had a little something extra in his first appearance versus the team that traded him for Cole Hamels.

Despite another decent outing the bullpen and offense let Eickhoff down.

Apr 5, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jerad Eickhoff (48) against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. The Reds won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

In all fairness, the righty hasn’t lived up to his workhorse potential this season, failing to reach the sixth inning in four of his last five starts.

Fans knew Eickhoff wasn’t the ace of a championship rotation, but instead a solid number three arm that could get 200 innings a year. Regardless, the offense needs to pick up their teammate and get the monkey off his back.

With two career starts against the Rockies Eickhoff is 1-1 with a 9.00 ERA, but mostly because of a rough outing in the mountains where he allowed eight runs.

Colorado may have the book on Eickhoff, so can the young workhorse catch them off guard on his home turf?

May 20, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Vince Velasquez (28) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Vince Velasquez’ struggles continue

It seems like every week Vince Velasquez needs to rebound after a poor outing. The righty gave up five runs for the third time in eight starts this season. In 5.1 innings, Velasquez allowed seven hits and two walks while collecting six strikeouts.

Velasquez kept the Pirates to two runs through five innings before he headed back out for the sixth inning despite already throwing 90 pitches. The Pirates blew the game open with four runs in the inning, three of which were charged to Velasquez.

May 6, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp (29) talks with starting pitcher Vince Velasquez (28) after he allowed a three run home run to Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) (not pictured) during the sixth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

After the start, Velasquez expressed his frustration to reporters, telling them he needed a complete overhaul with his approach. Pitching coach Bob McClure said that he needs to work with Velasquez to improve the mental aspect of his game: [quote via Matt Gelb of Philly.com]

“I just think he has to improve on how he looks at things, his perception of things. That’s how you improve. Stay straight with yourself. Understand what happened. How do I fix it? Try that. It doesn’t work? Try this. Without an overhaul. It’s more of how you perceive what’s going on.”

Hopefully, McClure is able to find a way to get to Velasquez and understand his thought process. Those results could come as early as Thursday afternoon in his start against the Rockies.

May 18, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Tommy Joseph (19) runs the bases after hitting a two run home run during the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Tommy Joseph is having a great month of May

Through the first 15 games of May, Tommy Joseph had a .383/.473/.830 line with five home runs and 11 RBI. It was a complete reversal of his April where he hit for a meager .179/.222/.476 line with just one home run.

However, Joseph didn’t carry his hot streak into Pittsburgh as he went just 1-for-8 in the series with a sacrifice fly.

As of now, Joseph’s stats for the season stand as follows: .254/.316/.467 line with 14 extra-base hits, 19 RBI, and 18 runs scored. He has a 8.1% walk rate and 25% strikeout rate. Those rates are still bogged down by his rough start to the season, but this most recent series was a tack back towards that slow start.

Joseph has to keep his hitting streak because if he falls off again, the calls to bring Rhys Hoskins to the majors will come back in force. The question is whether this Pirates series was just a hiccup for Joseph or if they are the beginning of his numbers normalizing.

May 19, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson (middle) is attended to by a team trainer and manager Pete Mackanin (45) after suffering an apparent injury on a double against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Hellickson would leave the game. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Injuries are starting to pile up

The Phillies got Aaron Nola back from the disabled list against the Pirates but both Daniel Nava and Jeremy Hellickson suffered injuries during Friday’s win.

Hellickson felt his back tighten up after an aggressive swing during the seventh inning. He was able to ground a RBI double down the left field line, but it was clear he was hurt. Manager Pete Mackanin decided not to take any chances with Hellickson and removed him from the game.