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Phillies-Giants: Five things to watch for during the series

By George Stockburger

Jun 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Philadelphia Phillies stretch on the field during warm ups before a game against the San Francisco Giants at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Philadelphia Phillies stretch on the field during warm ups before a game against the San Francisco Giants at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 3, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (47) pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 3, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (47) pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Phillies success versus the Giants pitching staff

Not often can you say the Phillies should have the upper-hand against an opposing pitcher, something that was evident during the Marlins series.

Ty Blach will make his 19th career appearance as a major league pitcher, which likely means the Phillies could get a perfect game thrown their way. Blach’s never faced a member of the Phillies roster, which spells for an interesting matchup Friday night.

Saturday features ace Johnny Cueto, who’s been anything but against Philadelphia in his long career. In six starts Cueto owns a 5.57 ERA inside Citizens Bank Park, the majority of those starts coming as a Cincinnati Red. The righty has allowed 22 runs and six home runs in 32 innings pitched at The Bank and could falter once again on Saturday.

Odubel Herrera could be the most excited player to see Cueto take the mound, as he managed a triple and a home run against the $130 million pitcher in his 10 appearances.

Sunday’s matinee between former Rays teammates Jeremy Hellickson and Matt Moore could be a slugfest if the bats are ripe. Moore has a 5.06 ERA during two starts inside Citizens Bank Park as a member of the Rays.

Five Phillies starters have batting averages above .500 against Moore, most notably Michael Saunders and Howie Kendrick.

The two outfielders are a combined 10-28 against Moore in their careers with a handful of extra-base hits in those appearances. Meanwhile, Herrera, Cesar Hernandez, Maikel Franco, and Aaron Altherr are a combined 5-14.

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