The Phillies return to Citizens Bank Park on Friday night to open a weekend set with the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Phils closed out a disastrous road trip on Wednesday with a 9-6 win in Denver, securing just their second win of the seven-game stint.
It's still much too early in the year to be seriously concerned, but the Phils enter Friday having won just two of their last nine.
“We’re a really good team,” Kyle Schwarber told reporters following Wednesday's win. “We should expect really good things out of us. Obviously, that comes with work, that comes with preparation. But I think that the more we can just take the pressure off a few bad games, we have to be able to put it behind us. We have to turn the page. We have to know that at the end of the day this is a really good team that can do some really good things.”
Ranger Suarez will start Friday's series opener, aiming to build on his last start where he surrendered just two runs over five innings in Miami. He's currently sporting a 5.87 ERA to go along with a 1.96 WHIP.
The Brewers counter with right-hander Freddy Peralta who has struggled in two starts this season, posting an 11.57 ERA and a 2.29 WHIP.
About the Brewers
Milwaukee has won straight, including a three-game sweep of Pittsburgh. Rowdy Tellez leads the offense with three homers and eight RBIs. The bullpen has performed well, posting a 2.68 ERA over a combined 53 2/3 innings.
Injury Updates
An MRI revealed a mild strain in Bryce Harper's right elbow, so he'll remain in the lineup as the Phils' designated hitter. He'll begin throwing again next week. Didi Gregorius remains out of the lineup as he's still feeling some pain after being hit in the left hand by a pitch on Tuesday.
Roster Moves
The Phillies activated Odubel Herrera on Friday. The veteran outfielder had been dealing with a strained oblique. To make room on the active roster, the club optioned Simon Muzziotti to Triple A Lehigh Valley.
Friday's Lineup
Segura 4
Hoskins 3
Harper DH
Castellanos 9
Realmuto 2
Schwarber 7
Bohm 5
Camargo 6
Herrera 8
Suarez LHP
