By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor
Having split the first two games of the series with the St. Louis Cardinals (38-33) — both by one-run margins — Jake Arrieta and the Philadelphia Phillies (38-33) will look to secure their 10th series victory of the season in Sunday's matinee at Citizens Bank Park. Arrieta will oppose 2013 NLCS MVP, Michael Wacha.
Wacha and Arrieta previously faced off in the Cardinals' 12-4 victory on May 18. The former Cardinals All-Star earned the win, allowing two runs through six innings. Meanwhile, Arrieta took the loss, tossing a season-low three frames with four runs and two earned runs allowed.
The Phillies fell 7-6 on Tuesday, despite left fielder Rhys Hoskins delivering a game-tying, two-RBI double in the eighth. Seranthony Dominguez suffered his first career loss, as he allowed the go-ahead home run the next half-inning to leadoff hitter Matt Carpenter. Phillies third baseman J.P. Crawford exited the game early after being hit by a pitch, and was later diagnosed with a fractured left hand. Manager Gabe Kapler said Crawford is expected to miss four-to-six weeks, according to philly.com's Matt Breen. Prior to the game, the Phillies placed Crawford on the 10-day disabled list and recalled infielder Mitch Walding from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
With a win on Wednesday, the Phillies would secure their first series win over the Cardinals since August 2014. The club will have off on Thursday, as it participates in the annual Phillies Phestival to benefit the fight against Lou Gehrig's disease, ALS. Next, the Phillies will play three games at the site of this year's All-Star Game, Nationals Park, before returning home to face the MLB-best New York Yankees for a three-game set.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
RHP Michael Wacha, Age: 26
Since tossing eight shutout innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 3, Wacha is 1-1 with a 9.31 ERA and .289/.404/.684 opposing slash over his last two starts.
RHP Jake Arrieta, Age: 32
Arrieta has struggled in June allowing at least four runs in three straight starts while posting a respective single-game ERA and WHIP of no less than 6.75 and 1.313. Over these outings behind Arrieta, the Phillies have been outscored 31-6. The right-hander is 3-1 with a 1.69 ERA and 33-12 strikeout-to-walk ratio through six starts and 37 1/3 innings at Citizens Bank Park this season.
Starting Lineups:
Broadcast Information:
Game Notes:
What's Next:
Thursday, June 21, 2018: Off day (Phillies Phestival, 4-6 p.m.)
Friday, June 22, 2018: at Washington Nationals, 7:05 p.m.