Phillies, Lively face Cole, Pirates in third game of home series

By Josh Liddick, Sports Talk Philly editor

PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies (28-54) take on the Pirates (38-46) in the third game of a four-game series at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies are looking to get back on track after losing on Independence Day against the Bucs in shut-out fashion at the hands of Jameson Taillon.

The Phillies took the first game of the series 4-0, and the Pirates got them back with a 5-0 victory. Before Tuesday's loss, the Phillies had won two-of-three games, and they have won four of their last seven contests.

Phillies first baseman Tommy Joseph was hitting the ball very well over the last month, but he has gone 0-for-8 in the past two games against the Pirates. Joseph will look to bring some life back into the clean-up spot on Wednesday night.

With only a few games heading into the All-Star break, the Phillies are in a prime spot to finally take their first series from the Pirates since 2011, and will take a game-advantage in the series tonight if they come away with a victory.


Starting Pitching Matchup:

Pittsburgh Pirates (38-46) Philadelphia Phillies (28-54)
RHP  Gerrit Cole RHP Ben Lively
(6-7, 4.51 ERA) (1-3, 3.72 ERA)

Cole Career vs. PHI— (3-3), 6 G, 31.1 IP, 30 H, 13 R, 12 ER, 9 BB, 33 SO, 3.45 ERA

  • Last Start: June 30, 2017, vs. SF: L, 5.1 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 7 SO

Gerrit Cole, 26, is usually known to be a pretty dominant ace, however because of the Pirates' recent struggles, his "ace status" is a little tainted right now. Cole's 4.51 ERA is high for a guy who has pitched a career ERA of 3.42 in five major league seasons. One of those years was an all-star caliber season. This season, Cole has been up-and-down, not really completely finding the stuff he had been accustomed to in the past.

His last start especially doesn't justify what kind of pitching Cole has brought to the Pirates over the last few seasons. Against an offense like the Phillies, Cole should be able to rebound from his abysmal showing on Friday night against the Giants. Unfortunately for him though, his career numbers against the Phils haven't been nearly as solid, but he'll look to upgrade those tonight.

Lively Career vs. PIT First Career Appearance vs. Pirates

  • Last Start: June 30, 2017, at NYM: L, 6.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 2 SO

Ben Lively, 25, has been coming on more and more as a young pitcher who is proving himself every time he steps onto the mound. Over the years, the debuts of young Phillies pitching has been less than impressive, but Lively is a guy that has shown glimpses of solid pitching in the last couple starts. Lively has struggled here and there, but he pitched well against the Mets only allowing a pair of runs in six strong innings.

Lively will get a chance to improve a little more against a Pirates team that has been struggling, and he'll get an additional chance in front of his own fans. This is also Lively's first outing against Pittsburgh of his career, so he'll get a shot to pitch against a lineup that he isn't familiar with.


Starting Lineups:

Pittsburgh Pirates (38-46) Philadelphia Phillies (28-54)
  Position Player Bats   Position Player Bats
1 2B  Josh Harrison  1 LF   Daniel Nava  S
2 LF  John Jaso  L 2  SS Freddy Galvis 
3 CF  Andrew McCutchen  3  3B Maikel Franco   R
4 1B  Josh Bell  4 1B  Tommy Joseph   R
5 3B  David Freese  5 RF  Nick Williams   L
6 RF  Gregory Polanco  6 2B  Andres Blanco 
7 Francisco Cervelli  7  CF Odubel Herrera   L
8 SS  Jordy Mercer  R 8  C Andrew Knapp 
9 Gerrit Cole  9  P Ben Lively   R




Broadcast Information:

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

Game Notes:

  • The Pirates have taken three of five meetings with the Phillies this season. 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).
  • Freddy Galvis is 7-19 with three doubles, a homer, four runs scored, two walks, and two RBIs against the Pirates this season. Only Galvis and Maikel Franco (6-20) are hitting above .300 this season so far against Pittsburgh.
  • Two of the four starting pitchers for the Phillies this season have a hit against a Pirates starter. Vince Velasquez (2-2) and Jeremy Hellickson (1-2, 2B, RBI) all have been able to hit off of Pittsburgh.

Standings:

entering July 5, 2017
NL EAST W L GB RS RA
Nationals 50 34 469 369
Braves 40 42 9 374 422
Mets 38 45 11.5 399 440
Marlins 37 45 12 377 406
Phillies 28 54 21.0 316 406


What's Next:

  • Thursday, July 6, 2017: vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 6:05 p.m.
    • Citizens Bank Park
    • RHP Jeremy Hellickson (5-5, 4.48 ERA) vs. RHP Chad Kuhl (2-6, 5.26 ERA)
    • TV: CSN-P; Radio: 94 WIP
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