The Pitcher: German Maquez
The Phillies will not be facing a pitcher with an ERA under 4.00 this week. Does that mean anything at all? No, not really, especially considering their struggles on Saturday and Sunday in Pittsburgh. However, it gives some cause for hope over the next four days.
They are facing Jeff Hoffman, German Marquez, Tyler Chatwood, and Tyler Anderson. I decided to look only at road splits to start considering their numbers could have been inflated because of Coors. Turns out Hoffman will be making his first road start tonight. Chatwood and Anderson have been less than impressive on the road.
That left Marquez, who has had two starts on the road this season, but has pitched to an ERA of 0.82 in those games. He has only thrown 11 innings in those two outings, but has struck out 11 batters along the way. The 22 year old is only making his sixth start of his career, but has been impressive for the most part.
He truly depends on only two pitches, as many have said because he has not fully developed a changeup yet. He has thrown his fastball 322 times this season. He has used his curveball 112 times. His slider and changeup have been used a combined 46 times to this point. All but one of his 23 strikeouts have come on the heels of his fastball-curve combo.
Next: Phillies-Rockies: Five things to know
No matter what, Marquez’s 2017 road debut should be interesting. They always are when a pitcher is facing the Phils for the first time.