Phillies aim for sweep, winning record in 2019

The Philadelphia Phillies (81-80) will close out their 2019 regular season campaign on Sunday afternoon against the Miami Marlins (56-105). For a season that was anticipated by many, the lone hope is that they can finish with a winning record for the first time since 2011.

With the additions of Bryce Harper, Jean Segura and J.T. Realmuto heading into the year, the Phils looked poised to snap their playoff drought. Unfortunately, injuries, pitching and offensive inconsistency hampered those hopes and ultimately 2019 ends with a lot of questions heading into an important offseason.

For the season finale, the Phillies will call on their bullpen like they did during one game during their series against the Nationals in Washington this past week. Blake Parker will open things up for the Phils. Meanwhile, the Marlins will counter with 24-year-old right-hander Sandy Alcantara.

Phillies Lineup

1. Cesar Hernandez (2B)
2. Brad Miller (LF)
3. Bryce Harper (RF)
4. Rhys Hoskins (1B)
5. Adam Haseley (CF)
6. Maikel Franco (3B)
7. Andrew Knapp (C)
8. Sean Rodriguez (SS)
9. Blake Parker (P)

Marlins Lineup

1. Jon Berti (SS)
2. Martin Prado (1B)
3. Curtis Granderon (LF)
4. Starlin Castro (3B)
5. Harold Ramirez (CF)
6. Isan Diaz (2B)
7. Austin Dean (RF)
8. Bryan Holaday (C)
9. Sandy Alcantara (P)

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Matchup

• Blake Parker (3-2, 4.18 ERA) vs. Sandy Alcantara (5-1, 3.95 ERA)
• Parker took the ball in the Phillies last bullpen game and tossed two perfect innings with two strikeouts. He’s appeared in two game against the Marlins in 2019, allowing one hit and striking out two.
• Alcantara has faced the Phillies twice this season. In those two starts, he’s 1-1 with a 4.97 ERA. The most recent one was a gem on June 21. The right-hander surrendered just one run over 7.2 innings with six strikeouts.

Pregame Phillies Nuggets

• A Phillies loss would give them their first non-losing record since 2012, which was also an 81-81 season.
• Bryce Harper got off to a slow start for the Phillies in 2019, but he’s looking to finish the season on a strong note. Over his last 51 at-bats, Harper is slashing .314/.373/.667 with four doubles, four home runs, 10 runs scored and 12 RBIs. He hit his 72nd extra-base hit on Saturday and got his RBI count up to a career-high 114. He’s 4-9 with a double and two RBIs against Sandy Alcantara.
• While Bryce Harper looks to end the season with a continued hot bat, Rhys Hoskins is likely ready for the season to end. He’s slashing .197/.317/.363 in the second half. In September, he’s hitting .167 with 34 strikeouts and 12 walks.
• The Phillies and Marlins have their 2019 series split at 9-9 heading into play on Sunday. If Miami wins, it’ll mark the first time they’ve taken the season series since the Phillies won the World Series in 2008.

Programming Information

• 3:05 p.m. on Sunday, September 29 at Citizens Bank Park
• NBC Sports Philadelphia
• SportsRadio 94 WIP

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