After two embarrassing losses to the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Philadelphia Phillies finally fought back on Wednesday night. They beat the guards 18-2 to regain some much-needed momentum in the final month of the regular season.
Their next challenge will be the San Francisco Giants, the two of whom looked more of a threat the last time they met. When the Giants arrived at Citizens Bank Park in May, they were 26-21 and sat comfortably in third place among the wild-card teams. The Phillies are seven games under .500 and their hopes look bleak.
A lot has changed since then. The Phillies have always been one of the best teams in baseball, and the Giants have been forgotten. Right now, San Francisco is just one of the weaker opponents Philadelphia has played in the closing stages.
Game 1: Friday, 10:15pm – Apple TV+ | RHP Kyle Gibson with . RHP Alex Cobb
Kyle Gibson had a solid last start against the Pirates.
Kyle Ross – USA TODAY Sports
In his last appearance, Gibson shut out the Pittsburgh Pirates in seven innings to 6-0 Phillies Team wins. He struck out nine batters and allowed only one walk. He has a 2.41 ERA in six games over the past month.
Over the past two seasons, Gibson has faced the Giants three times, and each time he has had a great start.
He will face another right-handed pitcher of 34 years in Alex Cobb. Cobb had another solid year in San Francisco, posting a 3.81 ERA in 21 games. He’s been exceptionally good over the past month, with a 2.83 ERA in six starts.
The Giants may have a slight advantage in this pitching game, but the Phillies offense still gave them the upper hand in the series.
Game 2: Saturday, 4:05pm – NBCSP, MLB | RHP Noah Syndergaard vs. RHP Jacob Junis
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Noah Syndergard is still in Philadelphia Find your footing in the team.
David Cole – USA TODAY Movement
Sindgard hopes to improve after poor start in Pittsburgh, he hits nine gave up five runs. He has allowed a total of six innings in 20 innings in his previous three games, and he hopes to return to that form Saturday afternoon in San Francisco. Well against the Giants in his career. In seven games, he pitched 48.1 innings with a 2.79 ERA.
Jakob Junis will take his place on the mound opposite Syndergaard. He was just as bad in his last start, dropping 6 runs in a 4.1 IP. In five games in August, he had a 7.13 ERA.
Game 3: Wednesday, 4:05pm – NBCSP | LHP Ranger Suárez vs. LHP Carlos Rodón
Rangers Suarez looking to improve from a poor start against the Diamondbacks.
Suarez gave up six (two) in his final game, failing to complete the fourth inning . That’s especially disappointing considering how well he’s pitching since early June.
He’ll try to get his footing on Sunday against the Giants, but it won’t be easy. San Francisco’s southpaw has played well this season, especially over the past two months.
The Giants will fight back against their own southpaw, Carlos Rodon, who is having a Cy Young-level season. He’ll be a challenge for the Phillies, but thankfully, like the Giants, they’ve hit the southpaw very well this season.
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