Philadelphia @ San Diego preview
PETCO Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 10, 2018 ) Philadelphia 0, San Diego 2
The Philadelphia Phillies have been blanked in back-to-back games and look to rediscover their offense when they visit the San Diego Padres on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game series. Philadelphia has recorded just one extra-base hit among 12 hits during the two-game slumber and left 10 runners on base in Friday's 2-0 loss.
The Phillies, who are tied with Atlanta for first place in the National League East, are just 1-3 during their six-game road trip that began with three against Arizona. Slugger Rhys Hoskins was hitless in four at-bats against the Padres and is 0-for-20 over his last six contests. Former Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis continued to torment his ex-teammates by going 2-for-3 with an RBI on Friday and is 8-for-14 with five RBIs in this season's four meetings. Austin Hedges added a solo blast and is 16-for-45 with five homers and eight RBIs over his last 13 contests.
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, FS San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Aaron Nola (12-3, 2.37 ERA) vs. Padres RH Walker Lockett (0-2, 9.28)
Nola is winless over his last four starts as he takes another shot at setting a personal best for victories. The 25-year-old All-Star ranks third in the NL in both ERA and WHIP (0.99) and can bolster his Cy Young Award candidacy with a strong finish. Nola is 1-2 with a 3.21 ERA and 30 strikeouts over 28 innings in four career starts against the Padres.
Lockett will make his fourth career appearance and third as a starter. The 24-year-old lost to the Chicago Cubs in his last outing as he gave up five runs and nine hits over five innings. Lockett, a fourth-round pick in 2012, was just 4-9 with a 4.92 ERA in 19 starts at Triple-A El Paso this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Padres LF Wil Myers (foot) is slated to be activated on Monday, the first day he is eligible to come off the 10-day disabled list.
2. Philadelphia acquired 1B Justin Bour and cash considerations from Miami for LHP McKenzie Mills, activated INF J.P. Crawford (hand) from the 10-day DL and designated RHP Jake Thompson for assignment.
3. San Diego recalled Jacob Nix, who pitched six scoreless innings in his major-league debut on Friday, from El Paso and designated fellow RHP Phil Hughes for assignment.
PREDICTION: Phillies 5, Padres 1