Don Mattingly's Philadelphia Phillies will have to battle two opponents this weekend: the Cleveland Guardians and the forces of nature swirling around Citizens Bank Park.
With a less-than-ideal weather forecast expected to bring sporadic rain over the next few days, Philly hopes that will help douse a scorching squad from Cleveland who come to South Philadelphia with MLB's best record over the last 10 games (9-1).
The Phillies enter Friday night with an advantage in the rest department following a scheduled day off on Thursday, while the Guardians finished a four-game sweep in Detroit before catching a flight to the East Coast for this interleague matchup.
Who: Cleveland Guardians (30-22) @ Philadelphia Phillies (25-25)
When: Friday, 6:40 pm
Saturday, 4:05 pm
Sunday, 1:35 pm
Where: Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia, PA)
Fri: RHP Gavin Williams (6-3, 3.67 ERA) vs. LHP Cristopher Sanchez (5-2, 1.82 ERA)
Sat: RHP Slade Cecconi (3-4, 5.16 ERA) vs. RHP Zack Wheeler (3-0, 1.99 ERA)
Mon.: LHP Parker Messick (5-1, 2.45 ERA) vs. RHP Andrew Painter (1-4, 5.77 ERA)
Despite some steamy weather in the northeast earlier this week, the Phillies' offense was limited to 14 hits in a three-game series loss to the Cincinnati Reds. Kyle Schwarber, the league’s leading power hitter this season with 20 home runs, missed the series due to a reported stomach bug.
Alec Bohm was a bright spot against Cincinnati. He picked up four hits in three games, including a pair of home runs. The 29-year-old infielder also filled in at first base, with Bryce Harper receiving a few days off his feet (with designated duties) in Schwarber’s absence.
All three Phillies starting pitchers lasted at least five innings against the Reds. Painter held the Reds to two earned runs and three hits over six innings on Monday night, while Luzardo featured a similar stat line with two earned runs and five hits in six frames. Nola rebounded from a three-run second inning to finish with a strong five innings after allowing four earned runs on eight hits in five innings on Wednesday night.
Philadelphia will lean on its workhorses, Sanchez (1.82 ERA) and Wheeler (1.99 ERA), to open the series. Painter (5.77 ERA) looks to drop the hammer in the close-out contest.
Cleveland arrives in Philadelphia with a six-game winning streak and the league’s best record over the last 10 games (9-1). The Guardians completed a four-game sweep in Detroit and lead the American League Central by 3.5 games over the Chicago White Sox (25-24).
Offensively, rookie Chase DeLauter (30 RBIs), Brayan Rocchio (27), and Jose Ramirez (24) will be the names that Phillies pitchers will need to shut down. Rhys Hoskins (18) will make another appearance as a visitor - his first with Cleveland - to Citizens Bank Park this weekend.
Williams leads all Guardians starters with 73 strikeouts in 61 ⅓ innings for a 10.9 K/9 rate. Cecconi has allowed batters to hit .286 against him this season, but he has still done enough to record decisions (3-4 record) in the majority of his 10 appearances. Messick brings the best ERA of any Guardians starter this season with a 2.45 ERA in 58 ⅔ innings. Cleveland’s bullpen features a 3.80 ERA, the fifth-best ERA in the American League and No. 13 unit overall.
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