Phillies look to build on walk-off win behind Smyly

One night after a wild walk-off win, the Philadelphia Phillies (68-62) will look to carry some momentum over into tonight’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates (55-76). Although the Phils lost a disappointing series to Miami over the weekend, their extra-inning victory on Monday pulled them to within one game of the Chicago Cubs for the second Wild Card spot in the National League.

The Phils got some help from two former Pirates in their win on Monday. Corey Dickerson hit a go-ahead home run in the eighth inning and Sean Rodriguez hit the walk-off solo blast in the eleventh. In his first game back since welcoming his first child, Bryce Harper celebrated with a home run. Scott Kingery left the game with abdominal soreness and is not in the lineup for the Phillies on Tuesday. Gabe Kapler doesn’t believe it to be anything serious.

Sean Rodriguez will get the start at third base the day after his walk-off. While you might expect cheers from the fans today in response to his game-winning hit, Rodriguez’s post-game comments about fans being entitled might end up with him getting showered with boos. Rodriguez is hitting .245 with three homers and 7 RBIs against left-handed pitchers this season.

Phillies Lineup

1. Rhys Hoskins (1B)
2. J.T. Realmuto (C)
3. Bryce Harper (RF)
4. Jean Segura (SS)
5. Corey Dickerson (LF)
6. Cesar Hernandez (2B)
7. Sean Rodriguez (3B)
8. Adam Haseley (CF)
9. Drew Smyly (P)

Pirates Lineup

1. Kevin Newman (SS)
2. Bryan Reynolds (LF)
3. Starling Marte (CF)
4. Josh Bell (1B)
5. Jose Osuna (RF)
6. Colin Moran (3B)
7. Elias Diaz (C)
8. Adam Frazier (2B)
9. Steven Brault (P)

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Matchup

• Drew Smyly (2-6, 6.99 ERA) vs. Steven Brault (3-3, 3.98 ERA)
• Smyly’s first start as a Phillie came against the Pirates. He tossed six innings of one-run ball while striking out eight in a 2-1 Phils win. The veteran left-hander is 0-1 with a 3.75 ERA in three career games (2 starts) against the Pirates. Smyly has a 7.45 ERA in four August starts.
• Brault pitched six innings, allowing two runs, in a 7-1 loss to the Nationals his last time out. He has faced the Phillies three times throughout his career, posting a 3.86 ERA in 11.2 innings. Brault has held the opposition to two runs or less in nine of his last 11 starts.

Pregame Phillies Nuggets

• Although Pirates starter Steven Brault owns a 2.62 ERA in his last 11 starts, Pittsburgh has just won three of those games.
• The Phillies have won seven of their last nine games with Bryce Harper in the lineup. Harper is having quite a month of August, launching 10 homers and driving in 21 runs.
• Things aren’t getting any better for Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins. The 26-year-old slugger is hitting just .164 in the second half and .115 in August. He hit 20 homers in the first half of the season and has just five thus far in the second half.
• Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto caught three more baserunners trying to steal on Monday night. The All-Star backstop has caught 39 runners at a 48.1% mark, good for tops in the Majors. The next closest catcher is Milwaukee’s Yasmani Grandal and Oakland’s Josh Phegley with 20. Realmuto’s defensive WAR is a 1.5, second to only Roberto Perez (1.9) of the Indians.

Ticket IQ Programming Information

• 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday, August 27 at Citizens Bank Park
• NBC Sports Philadelphia
• SportsRadio 94 WIP

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