Gameday: Phillies (51-62) vs Cubs (50-63)
Philadelphia Phillies (51-62) vs Chicago Cubs (50-63)
Ethan Martin (0-1, 12.46 ERA) vs Jeff Samardzija (6-10, 3.78 ERA)
Time: 1:05, Citizens Bank Park
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Weather: 90, chance of storms
The Phillies have another crack at a series win on Thursday afternoon when they take on the Cubs in the rubber match of their three game series.
Rookie right-hander Ethan Martin will be making just his second career in the big leagues. Martin allowed six runs in 4 1/3 innings in his debut against the Braves, but did show some encouraging signs. Martin allowed only one run in the first four innings before the Braves roughed him up for five in the fifth. His fastball was touching 96-97 and he racked up six strikeouts despite his short outing.
Martin will be opposed by Jeff Samardzija, who has been solid all year and exceptional of late. Samardzija has gone 13 innings in his last two starts, and has allowed only three combined runs while striking out 16 batters. However, the former Notre Dame football standout has not fared well against the Phillies in his career, posting a 9.00 ERA in seven games (one start).
Despite his lack of success against them, no current Phillie has especially enjoyed facing Samardzija. Carlos Ruiz, Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins all have an RBI off him, but are a combined 3-for-16 with four strikeouts. Today’s lineup definitely has a different feel to it, as Ruiz has moved up to the two spot, Michael Martinez is playing in place of Rollins at short and Kevin Frandsen is leading off and playing first after Michael Young was scratched due to hamstring tightness.
Lineup: Frandsen 1B, Ruiz C, Utley 2B, Brown LF, Ruf RF, Asche 3B, Mayberry CF, Martinez SS, Martin P
Gameday Beer: Yuengling Lager
