Phillies and Giants square off in Thursday series finale matinee

The Philadelphia Phillies (56-51) host the San Francisco Giants (55-53) in the rubber match of a three-game series on Thursday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park.

For both the Phillies and Giants, this is yet another key match-up as both clubs continue to remain in contention for a National League Wildcard playoff berth.

The Phillies enter the game tied with the Washington Nationals in the loss column for the second of two postseason Wildcard spots, one game behind the Chicago Cubs and Saint Louis Cardinals. Those two are tied for the NL Central lead and the first Wildcard spot.

Unable to get any momentum going in either direction, the Phillies continue to tread water in the standings. They have not lost more than two straight since the middle of June. The Phillies have also won as many as three in a row just once in that same span.

In exactly one week from now, these same two teams will be opening a four-game long weekend series at Oracle Park in San Francisco. So, if familiarity breeds contempt, expect some hot match-ups over the next ten days as Gabe Kapler and Bruce Bochy try to separate their clubs from one another and the rest of the Wildcard pack during the dog days of August.

 

THURSDAY STARTING LINEUPS

PHILLIES

1. Cesar Hernandez 2B
2. Jean Segura SS
3. Rhys Hoskins 1B
4. Bryce Harper RF
5. J.T. Realmuto C
6. Scott Kingery CF
7. Adam Haseley LF
8. Maikel Franco 3B
9. Jake Arrieta P

 

GIANTS

1. Brandon Belt 1B
2. Mike Yastrzemski LF
3. Pablo Sandoval 3B
4. Stephen Vogt C
5. Brandon Crawford SS
6. Kevin Pillar CF
7. Joe Panik 2B
8. Austin Slater RF
9. Dereck Rodriguez P

 

SHIBE VINTAGE SPORTS STARTING PITCHING MATCHUP

Phillies – Jake Arrieta: 8-8, 4.51 ERA, 4.99 FIP, 1.456 WHIP, 133 hits over 123.2 IP with a 95/47 K: BB

Giants – Dereck Rodriguez (27/RH): 4-5, 4.99 ERA, 5.19 FIP, 1.386 WHIP, 62 hits over 61.1 IP with a 42/23 K:BB

 

PHILLIES NUGGETS PREGAME NOTES

• Rodriguez has one previous career appearance against the Phillies. On June 3 of last season, he allowed just one run on five hits over six innings, striking out six and walking two in a 6-1 Giants victory.
• Hernandez leads the Phillies and is 2nd among all NL second baseman in hits (113) this year. His 34 multi-hit games also leads the team.
• Realmuto leads all MLB catchers with 24 attempted base stealers thrown out this season.
• Franco is the only National League hitter this season with at least 15 HR and fewer than 50 strikeouts

 

TICKET IQ PROGRAMMING INFORMATION

• Thursday July 31 at 7:05 pm EDT vs. the San Francisco Giants at Citizens Bank Park
• TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia; MLB Network (out-of-market only)
• Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP; WTTM 1680 (Spanish)

 

MORE FROM PHILLIES NATION:

• Matt Klentak plays the Norman Dale ‘Hoosiers’ role at trade deadline
• Phillies acquire outfielder Corey Dickerson in trade from Pirates
• Larry Shenk’s Phillies Minor League Report
• David Robertson out for season, may require Tommy John surgery
• Phillies acquire former Minnesota Twins closer Blake Parker
• Zach Eflin sent to the bullpen, Jason Vargas to start on Friday