Jeremy Hellickson (10-9, 3.90 ERA) and Gerrit Cole (7-9, 3.55 ERA) start in the first of a four-game series between the Philadelphia Phillies (63-80) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (69-72) at Citizens Bank Park. Action begins at 7:05 p.m. ET on Monday, Sep. 12 and can be seen on CSPh and RTPT.
Hellickson pitched 6.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering four runs (one unearned) and striking out one in a 6-0 defeat to the Marlins. Cole went 5.0 innings, surrendering five runs, striking out four and walking one in a 5-4 defeat to the Astros in his last outing. Starling Marte (.311, 71 Rs, 9 HRs, 46 RBIs, 47 SBs) has been successful at the plate, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run.
Notes
The Phillies are coming off of a weak pitching game where they recorded three strikeouts. The Pirates have a record of 4-4 when opponents’ pitchers have three strikeouts or less.
When they are outhit, the Phillies are 14-65. The Pirates have a 16-55 record when opponents outhit them.
Both falling near the bottom of the league based on total home runs this season, Philadelphia ranks 25th with 142 homers and Pittsburgh is 26th with 131.
Ranking 29th, Philadelphia is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 360 this season. Pittsburgh ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 471.
When the Phillies hit at least one home run, they are 52-44. When the Pirates hit at least one homer, they have a 49-32 record.
