Jun 15, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Taijuan Walker (99) throws third inning pitch towards the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Obligatory Credit score: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports activities After a disappointing collection loss to the division rival Atlanta Braves, the Philadelphia Phillies journey to Kansas Metropolis for a weekend collection with the Royals.
On the heels of a four-game profitable streak, the Phillies have misplaced three of their final 4 and scored a complete of six runs on 13 hits whereas dropping two of three video games in Atlanta.
Philadelphia supervisor Rob Thomson stays assured in his staff’s scoring potential.
“You realize that they are gonna hit in some unspecified time in the future,” he mentioned after a 3-1 loss Tuesday. “It is simply a kind of nights. We have gotta come again right here tomorrow, strap it on, and get after it.”
Proper-hander Taijuan Walker (3-4, 5.69 ERA) takes the mound for Philadelphia on Friday, making his third begin since coming back from the injured checklist. He missed two months with irritation in his proper index finger and hasn’t gotten via 5 innings since June 15.
“He competed,” Thomson mentioned after Walker’s efficiency Aug. 18, when he gave up three runs whereas surrendering a pair of homers in 4 2/3 innings. “There’s some management, command stuff there that he’ll preserve engaged on. However, if he’s a five-inning man, that is OK, too. However I do suppose there’s extra.”
The Phillies have misplaced seven straight begins by Walker, who hasn’t recorded a victory since Could 11.
Walker is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA in 4 profession begins towards Kansas Metropolis. He earned the win in his final begin, Aug. 8, 2023; in seven innings, he allowed 4 runs on seven hits, together with a solo homer by MJ Melendez.
Whereas visiting Kansas Metropolis, Philadelphia anticipates the return from the injured checklist of two essential gamers.
All-Star left-hander Ranger Suarez – who hasn’t began a sport since July 22 as a consequence of decrease again soreness — is anticipated to be activated and begin Saturday. He threw a four-inning simulated sport Aug. 17, and Thomson mentioned his “stuff regarded good.”
Commerce-deadline acquisition outfielder Austin Hays can be anticipated to return over the weekend. Hays has missed almost two weeks with a left hamstring pressure. He completed a rehab project at Triple-A Lehigh Valley and can be eased again into an everyday position.
Michael Wacha (10-6, 3.33) takes the mound for the Royals. He’s 3-3 with a 5.13 ERA in 10 profession begins towards the Phillies. Pitching for the Padres, he misplaced his final begin towards them on Sep. 6, 2023, permitting three runs on seven hits and three walks in 4 innings, together with a leadoff homer by Kyle Schwarber.
Wacha is using a nine-game unbeaten streak, going 6-0 with a 2.33 ERA since his final loss on June 22. In Cincinnati on Aug. 17, Wacha tossed six shutout innings, permitting 4 hits and a stroll with 9 strikeouts.
“He was in management,” Royals supervisor Matt Quatraro mentioned after Wacha’s Aug. 10 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. “It was actually environment friendly: 75 pitches via six innings. General, he was answerable for every part.”
Kansas Metropolis has received six of seven, slicing the deficit behind division chief Cleveland to 2 video games.
Driving the Royals’ offense are the Nos. 2-3-4 hitters, every of whom rank within the high 10 in RBIs within the majors. Second-place hitter Bobby Witt Jr. is sixth with 92 RBIs. Batting third, Vinnie Pasquantino has 95 RBIs — third within the majors — and cleanup hitter Salvador Perez is tied for ninth with 85 RBIs. Kansas Metropolis is the one staff boasting three gamers with 85 or extra RBIs.
–Subject Stage Media
