Phillies, Nola take on Nova, Pirates in homestand opener

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies (27-53) will close out the first half of the season and enter the All-Star break with a seven-game homestand, which begins Monday evening against RHP Ivan Nova and the Pittsburgh Pirates (37-45) at Citizens Bank Park.

The Phillies avoided being swept for the ninth time in Sunday’s 7-1 series finale win, outhitting their division rival New York Mets, 12-2. Rookie RHP Nick Pivetta picked up his second career win, allowing just one run on a hit and four walks through seven innings (96 pitches, 60 strikes). Left fielder Daniel Nava and third baseman Maikel Franco led the way with two RBIs each, respectively raising their season totals to 14 and 40.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

Nova Career vs. PHI: 2-0, 1.80 ERA, 3 G, 3 GS, 20 IP, 17 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 15 SO, 1.000 WHIP

Nova, 30, has tossed at least six innings in all but one of his 16 starts this season, his most recent outing on June 28 against the Tampa Bay Rays. Yet, the eight-year veteran right-hander still earned the win, allowing two runs on seven hits, two walks, one strikeout and 89 pitches (52 strikes).

Season Splits, By Month:

• April: 5 GS, 3-2, 1.50 ERA, 36 IP, 22 SO, 1 BB, .198/.211/.290
• May: 6 GS, 2-2, 4.17 ERA, 41 IP, 18 SO, 5 BB, .307/.331/.458
• June: 5 GS, 3-1, 3.48 ERA, 31 IP, 20 SO, 7 BB, .259/.310/.466

Nola Career vs. PIT: 0-2, 5.73 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 11 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 0 HR, 4 BB, 10 SO, 1.273 WHIP

Nola, 24, last faced the Pirates on May 21, his first start after returning from the 10-day disabled list (lower back strain). Despite allowing just one run through seven innings — hitting opposing third baseman David Freese with the bases loaded — Nola suffered the loss as the Phillies’ offense was blanked 1-0, mustering just three hits, two walks and went 0-3 with runners in scoring position (six left on base).

The right-hander has tossed at least seven innings in each of his last two starts, June 22 home against the St. Louis Cardinals and June 27 away against the Seattle Mariners. Both were winning decisions, evening Nola’s season win-loss record to 5-5.

Season Splits, By Month:

• April: 3 GS, 2-0, 4.50 ERA, 16 IP, 15 SO, 6 BB, .317/.377/.413
• May: 3 GS, 0-3, 5.63 ERA, 16 IP, 14 SO, 5 BB, .242/.309/.387
• June: 5 GS, 3-2, 3.24 ERA, 33 1/3 IP, 35 SO, 11 BB, .220/.284/.350

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

• First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
• TV: CSN
• Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game Notes:

• Nola is two strikeouts shy of passing RHP Jerad Eickhoff for sole possession of the 2017 club lead in strikeouts. The Baton Rouge, Louisiana native has punched out 64 batters in 65 1/3 innings, while Eickhoff has struck out 65 batters in 11 1/3 more frames. Eickhoff, who turned 27 on Sunday, is 0-7 through 14 starts and has been sidelined since June 17 with an upper back strain.
• The Pirates have taken two of three meetings with the Phillies this season in their May 19-21 series at PNC Park. The Phillies have not won a season series against their Pennsylvania state rivals since 2011, 4-2. (2016, 3-4; 2015, 2-5; 2014, 1-6; 2013, 3-4; 2012, 3-4).
• Neither active member of the Phillies or Pirates have homered in their careers against Nola or Nova. Franco is just 1-9 with two strikeouts all-time against the Pirates’ right-hander.

NL East Standings (entering July 3, 2017):

What’s Next:

• Tuesday, July 4, 2017: vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 4:05 p.m.
• Citizens Bank Park
• RHP Jameson Taillon (4-2, 2.97 ERA) vs. RHP Mark Leiter Jr. (1-0, 4.20 ERA)
• TV: ESPN, CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP