Edmundo Sosa and the Philadelphia Phillies have not been fast starters this season. They have, however, come up big against opposing bullpens.
The Phillies aim to get their offense going early and often Wednesday when they resume their three-game series against the visiting Colorado Rockies.
Starting pitchers have allowed two earned runs in 23 1/3 innings against Philadelphia this season, good for a 0.77 ERA. On the other hand, relievers have a 15.63 ERA in 12 2/3 innings against the Phillies.
The late-game heroes for Philadelphia in Monday’s series opener were Sosa and Kyle Schwarber. Sosa delivered a two-run double in the seventh inning and Schwarber followed with a two-run homer in an eventual 6-1 victory.
“I feel good that I’m here. I’m with the Phillies,” Sosa said through an interpreter after filling in admirably for Trea Turner (back spasms).
“Great city, great teammates. I’m on the best baseball team that there is. It’s just that — going out with that mentality. Everybody knows they have to do their job. Sadly, we have our superstar shortstop a little hurt right now. Hopefully, he’ll be back soon.”
Brenton Doyle recorded three of the six hits for Colorado, which scored its only run on a homer by Hunter Goodman in the sixth inning. The Rockies have only scored nine runs over their first four games.
Among the Colorado players looking to get going are Kris Bryant (0-for-10, five strikeouts) and Michael Toglia (1-for-15, eight strikeouts).
“We’re not putting the ball in play enough,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “Struck out double digits again (on Monday), and we’ve had trouble getting the big hit. We’ve really got to concentrate on putting the ball in play when we’ve got runners in scoring position.”
Both of Wednesday’s scheduled starting pitchers were impressive in their season debuts.
Right-hander Zack Wheeler (0-0, 1.50 ERA) gave up one run and two hits over six innings in Philadelphia’s extra-inning victory against the Washington Nationals on Opening Day. The National League Cy Young Award runner-up last season, Wheeler walked two and struck out eight while throwing 97 pitches.
“He’s one of the best pitchers in baseball,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “The combination of power and command and pitchability — that’s why he’s so great.”
Wheeler owns a 3-2 record with a 5.02 ERA in five career appearances (all starts) against the Rockies.
Colorado’s Kyle Freeland (0-0, 0.00) tossed six scoreless innings against Tampa Bay on Friday, allowing two hits without a walk. He struck out seven but did not factor into the decision in an eventual 3-2 defeat.
“Everything’s been working coming out of camp,” Freeland said. “I’m very happy with the adjustments I made and some of the additions to the mix that we’ve made over the spring. I’m very happy with where I’m at to start the season.”
Freeland is coming off a difficult season in which he logged a 5.24 ERA over 21 starts. He did not face the Phillies last season but owns a respectable 3.50 ERA with a 2-3 record in eight career starts versus Philadelphia.
The lefty has done a particularly good job against Schwarber (1-for-12, six strikeouts). Nick Castellanos, meanwhile, is 4-for-14 against Freeland with three home runs.
Philadelphia has won 15 of the last 19 matchups between the teams.
–Field Level Media
