The Philadelphia Phillies (9-7) will try to right the ship on Tuesday as they continue with the second of their four-game series against the San Francisco Giants (12-4). The Phillies are now 2-5 in their last week of activity.
Jesús Luzardo will be on the mound to right the ship for the Phillies. He will go up against future Hall of Fame starting pitcher Justin Verlander, who is on a one-year contract with the Giants.
The Matchup
Luzardo (2-0) will be making his fourth start in a Phillies uniform, currently owning a 1.50 ERA over 18.0 innings of work. Most recently, Luzardo pitched six innings of one-run baseball against the Atlanta Braves. Taking a no-decision in what would eventually be a 4-2 loss for the Phillies, Luzardo struck out six batters while allowing six hits and one walk.
Going against Luzardo will be a three-time Cy Young and two-time World Series champion in Justin Verlander. Verlander (0-0) has not had the best showing thus far, allowing 10 earned runs in 13.0 innings in three starts. The 42-year-old right-hander has left his status ambiguous, but the one-year contract may indicate that this is his “last hoorah” in the Major Leagues. If that is so, this will be his final regular season appearance at Citizens Bank Park. Verlander has made two regular-season starts previously at Citizens Bank and also claimed victory for the Houston Astros in Game 5 of the 2022 World Series.
The Storylines
In that World Series affair in 2022, Kyle Schwarber hit a solo home run off Verlander. Schwarber has successfully gotten on base in every game so far this season. Dating back to last season, Schwarber is riding a 22-game on-base streak.
Though Schwarber and others may be getting on base, the Phillies have struggled with scoring runners as of late. In their last week, they have been batting .130 with runners in scoring position.
One such player struggling is Brandon Marsh. Marsh, currently on a 0-for-26 slump, found himself riding the pine on Monday, entering as a late-game defensive substitution. Marsh is likely not to appear in the starting lineup on Tuesday as manager Rob Thomson attempts to give him a few days off to reset. Johan Rojas started in Marsh’s stead on Monday but went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts. Rojas is also on a 0-for-10 hitless streak.
Phillies and Giants to Honor Jackie Robinson Day
The Phillies and Giants will join Major League Baseball in honoring the life and legacy of Jackie Robinson on Tuesday. A yearly tradition, all players, managers, and coaches will don No. 42 on their jersey as well as a “42” side patch on their New Era caps.
Phillies alum and Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins will throw the ceremonial first pitch. Jenkins’ 284 career wins are the most by a Black pitcher in MLB history.
The first pitch for Tuesday’s matchup is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. Fans can follow along on NBCSP+ or listen in on 94 WIP and WTTM 1680.
Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire
