Phillies split series with Braves
Aaron Nola’s dominant performance led the Phillies to a 2-2 series split with the Braves in Atlanta. Nola struck out 10 batters and walked none en route to the 4-1 victory on Thursday. —Kade Kistner, Inside the Phillies
Pitching performances:
PHI Aaron Nola: 8.1 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 10 K
ATL Kyle Wright: 6.2 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
Standout bats:
PHI J.T. Realmuto : 1-for-3, HR, RBI
PHI Odubel Herrera: 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI
PHI Nick Castellanos: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI
ATL Matt Olson: 2-for-3, 2 2B, K
MORE: Phillies broadcaster John Kruk recovers from surgery, hopeful for June return —Declan Harris, Inside the Phillies
Report: Phillies to start Falter Friday in New York
The Phillies will send young lefty Bailey Falter to the mound on Friday to face the New York Mets in the series opener.
Falter recently began to stretch out with the Phillies' Triple-A squad in Lehigh Valley, where he pitched 10.1 scoreless innings, striking out 17.
He's been a sustainable sixth starter for Philadelphia thus far, and tossed a solid 4.2 innings against the Seattle Mariners on May 11, allowing just one run.
The Mets, a left handed-heavy lineup, last faced Falter on April 13. They tacked on one run against him in two innings of work. —Alex Carr, Inside the Phillies
MORE: Ranger Suárez needs his old slider back —Leo Morgenstern, Inside the Phillies
Series preview: Phillies face first-place Mets
Philadelphia now heads to New York to take on the Mets; it’s the fourth series between the two teams this season. Luckily, they won’t face the Mets again until August following this weekend. The Phillies are still tied for second place with the Braves at 21-24 and are 7.5 games back of first. If Philadelphia wishes to move up in the standings, they must find more success against their NL East foes. —Declan Harris, Inside the Phillies
Game 1:
PHI starter: Bailey Falter (0-1, 3.75 ERA)
NYM starter: Carlos Carrasco (4-1, 3.50 ERA)
First pitch: May 27, 7:10 p.m. EST
NBCSP/94.1 WIP
Game 2:
PHI starter: Zach Eflin (1-3, 3.65 ERA)
NYM starter: Taijuan Walker (2-0, 2.70 ERA)
First pitch: May 28, 7:15 p.m. EST
FOX/94.1 WIP
Game 3:
PHI starter: Zack Wheeler (3-3, 3.38 ERA)
NYM starter: TBD
First pitch: May 29, 7:08 p.m. EST
ESPN/94.1 WIP
MORE: Report: Nimmo to Phillies a possibility this offseason? —Lauren Amour, Inside the Phillies
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Report: Phillies, Eflin avoid arbitration with one-year deal
The Phillies and starting pitcher Zach Eflin avoided arbitration on Tuesday by agreeing to a one-year, $5.7 million contract.
The deal also includes a mutual option for 2023 worth $15 million and a $150,000 buyout according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki.
A long-term deal has been mentioned by both parties, but one has yet to come to fruition. However, it appears both parties show a willingness to continue the relationship.
“I’ve made it pretty clear that I want to be here long-term. I think that was a step in the right direction to at least start those conversations. I love pitching in Philly…” said Eflin. —Kade Kistner, Inside the Phillies
MORE: Rafael Marchan begins rehab stint with Jersey Shore —Ben Silver, Inside the Phillies
Phocus on Phillies’ farm
Thursday’s top stories:
Triple-A: 2B Scott Kingery - 2-for-3, 2B, RBI, BB
Things are beginning to look up for Kingery. The former top prospect was off to a dismal start up until yesterday. Kingery is now 4-for-7 in his last two games with a home run, a double, and his first walk of the season.
Double-A: OF Mickey Moniak - 1-for-5, 3 K
In the final day of his Reading rehab assignment, Moniak showcased his greatest weakness: his propensity to strike out. Over the course of his six-game rehab, Moniak struck out eight times and walked just once. However, he's managed a 1.054 OPS, but the swing-and-miss tendencies are still relatively concerning.
High-A: OF Ethan Wilson - 2-for-3, K, SB
After an aggressive promotion to Jersey Shore, Wilson has settled in, surpassing his tepid April numbers with a solid .262/.333/.400 slash in May.
Single-A: Wilfredo Flores - 3-for-5, R, K
He's playing a bit below his age level, but Flores has managed a solid year thus far in Clearwater. He boasts a glove-first profile, but has a good feel for contact and doesn't strike out often. —Alex Carr, Inside the Phillies
MORE: Is Morales the key to solving the Phillies’ bullpen? —Ben Silver, Inside the Phillies
Opinion: Nola is a Cy Young candidate when he can win on the road
Nola has always been dominant at Citizens Bank Park. His career ERA at home is 3.15, and he averages more than six innings per start in his home ballpark.
Since his first full season in 2017, Nola’s home ERA is 2.97. That number ranks ninth in baseball in that span (min. 300 IP). Of the eight guys ahead of him, six are Cy Young winners, and the other two—Walker Buehler and Adam Wainwright—are no slouches either.
Nola’s numbers on the road, unfortunately, tell a different story. His career road ERA (4.22) is more than a full run higher than his career home ERA. That’s why it’s such a welcome development to see Nola succeeding on the road this season.
If Nola can continue to pitch well away from Citizens Bank Park, there’s nothing stopping him from being one of the best pitchers in baseball. —Leo Morgenstern, Inside the Phillies
MORE: Is it time to call Zack Wheeler an ace again? —Kade Kistner, Inside the Phillies