Sports Talk Philly: Philadelphia Sports News and Rumors

Harper Ejected, Arrieta Displeased with Teammates in Phillies' Loss

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

The Philadelphia Phillies' fourth loss over their last five games Monday evening sure was different than their 10 losses overall this season.

Down 2-0 in the top of the fourth, Bryce Harper was called out on strikes by home plate umpire Mark Carlson, his second punchout already in the game after striking out swinging his first time up. He clearly was not happy with the strike zone.

A game that was delayed nearly 1 hours and 45 minutes, and receiving multiple hecklings from the New York crowd, emotions got the best of the Phillies perennial All-Star.

Phillies Look for Continued Success Against Matz, Mets

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

The Philadelphia Phillies (12-9) and RHP Jake Arrieta will oppose southpaw Steven Matz and the New York Mets (11-10) in Monday evening's three-game series opener at Citi Field. Phillies legendary shortstop Jimmy Rollins will make his NBC Sports Philadelphia broadcast debut as a color analyst. The game will begin in a rain delay, with "no estimated time for first pitch."

In his most recent start, last Tuesday against the Phillies, Matz failed to retire a single batter; he allowed eight runs (six earned) on a pair of doubles and home runs, one walk and 31 pitches (17 strikes). He became just the fifth different pitcher — since the mound was moved to its current distance in 1893 — to record a zero-out, 8-run start, according to Joel Sherman. He joined Paul Wilson (Reds, 2003 & 2005), Blake Stein (Athletics, 1998), Bobby Jones (Mets, 1997) and Bill Krueger (Athletics, 1984).

In the first 2019 meeting between the clubs, April 15-17, the Phillies won two out of three, outscoring and outhitting their division rival 23-12 and 30-29, respectively at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies have won four of their last five games against the Mets dating back to Sept. 18 of last season. The Phillies lost six of their nine games at Citi Field in 2018, going 0-2-1 in the three series; their last series win at the venue came nearly two years ago — April 18-20, 2017.

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Starting Pitching Matchup:

Philadelphia Phillies (12-9)			New York Mets (11-10)
RHP	Jake Arrieta		LHP	Steven Matz
	(3-1, 2.25 ERA)			(1-1, 4.96 ERA)

Jimmy Rollins Set for Phillies Television Broadcast Debut

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Four-time Gold Glove Award winner, three-time All-Star, 2007 National League Most Valuable Player and Silver Slugger Award winner, and 2008 World Series champion — shortstop Jimmy Rollins — will be able to add another line to his impressive Philadelphia Phillies resume, starting Monday evening as the club opens a three-game road set against the New York Mets.

Rollins, who turned 40 this past November, will make his color analyst debut, in the booth, on NBC Sports Philadelphia. The Phillies announced that Rollins would appear during select broadcasts, with his first game to come on April 22, fittingly against the Phillies' biggest rival during the 2007-2011 postseason success window. 

The Phillies' franchise hits leader played in parts of 17 seasons — 15 in red pinstripes. Now three seasons removed from his retirement, Rollins embarks on a new career path, although he is not totally new to the broadcast scene, having appeared on TBS and FOX Sports' broadcasts, as recently as this past postseason.

The Phillies also recently hired Rollins a special advisor to the team. Rollins' career will be honored on May 4 at Coca-Cola Jimmy Rollins Retirement Night. Fans 15 and over will receive a 2008 World Champions Replica Ring.

Phillies Should Consider Southpaw González to Balance Starting Rotation

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

The Philadelphia Phillies accomplished many of their offseason goals, from improving the club's defense and adding All-Star-caliber talent, including Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto and Andrew McCutchen. What they failed to address, however, is adding a top-line left-handed starter.

Now, 20 games into the season, an effective left-handed starter may soon be available that the Phillies should consider signing to improve their starting rotation, which entering Sunday had a National League seventh-worst 4.66 ERA — Gio González.

González, 33, signed a minor-league contract with the New York Yankees on March 18. González parted ways with agent Scott Boras for CAA on Friday. One day later, the veteran opted out of his contract with the Yankees, who have 48 hours to either add him from Triple-A to the active roster, or grant him his release, according to SNY's Andy Martino.

Phillies' Eickhoff Eyes 4-Game Series Split in Easter Finale Against Rockies

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

As RHP Jerad Eickhoff makes his first start of the season, the Philadelphia Phillies (12-8) will look to split their four-game series against the Colorado Rockies (8-13) Easter Sunday afternoon at Coors Field. Eickhoff and the Phillies will oppose five-year veteran RHP Jon Gray.

The Phillies snapped their six-game losing skid at Coors Field on Saturday, topping the Rockies, 8-5. Starter RHP Aaron Nola improved to 2-0, striking out a season high nine batters while allowing as many hits, three runs and one walk spanning 5 2/3 innings and 97 pitches. Hector Neris notched his third save, tossing the final 1 2/3 innings, with two strikeouts, on just 18 pitches. Bryce Harper's three-run home run in the seventh extended the Phillies' one-run lead to a much more comfortable four-run lead. Andrew McCutchen also added insurance in the ninth with a solo home run. Bryn Mawr native Phil Gosselin's three-run double in the fourth, however, was the club's most important play of the game on offense, as it turned a Rockies 3-1 lead into a Phillies 4-3 lead. The Rockies never led the rest of the contest.

“I’ve been up with the bases loaded a lot for the Phillies — just in my backyard as a kid, though,” Phil Gosselin said. “It didn’t count.”

Tonight it did. Pretty cool.

— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) April 21, 2019

Eickhoff, riddled with injuries during his Phillies tenure, will make his first start since September 28 of last season, and just his second start since August 30, 2017. Since April 14, the Phillies bullpen has posted a combined MLB-best four saves and 41 strikeouts, a fourth-best 2.30 ERA, and a fifth-best 0.99 WHIP ratio.

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Starting Pitching Matchup:

Philadelphia Phillies (12-8)			Colorado Rockies (8-13)
RHP	Jerad Eickhoff		RHP	Jon Gray
	(0-0, 0.00 ERA)			(1-3, 3.42 ERA)