To say this past weekend was a disappointment for the Phillies is an understatement. The two aces in Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler were hit around, the bullpen was overmatched, and the offense struggled to score with runners in scoring position.
The Phillies now hope things will change as the club opens a three-game set in the Bronx tonight against the Yankees.
Taijuan Walker will make his regular-season debut for the club, having inked a four-year deal with the Phils in the offseason. Over 29 starts last year with the Mets the right-hander posted a 3.49 ERA.
The Yankees counter with 28-year-old Nestor Cortes. The lefty was outstanding last season, posting a 2.44 ERA over 28 starts. He also limited opponents to a .189 batting average.
The Yankees took two of three over the weekend in a series with the Giants.
Phillies Lineup
Turner 6, Schwarber 7, Realmuto 2, Castellanos 9, Bohm DH, Harrison 4, Hall 3, Sosa 5, Marsh 8, Walker RHP.
Yankees Lineup
Lemahieu 5, Judge 8, Rizzo 3, Stanton DH, Torres 4, Cordero 9, Hicks 7, Trevino 2, Volpe 6, Cortes LHP.
Tonight's Odds
The Phillies are near heavy underdogs at +144. The over/under is set at 7 1/2.
Tonight's Weather
Partly cloudy skies with temps hovering near 50 degrees.
Notes
Rob Thomson will return to Yankee Stadium and manage his first ever game against the Yankees after spending 28 years (1990-2017) with New York . . . … Over his almost three-decade run in New York, Thomson served many roles including 10 seasons on the ML staff as bench coach (2008, 2015- 17) and 3rd base coach (2009-14) . . . Walker has allowed 3 ER or fewer in 7 of his 8 career starts against NYY . . . Yankees pitchers threw their second shutout of the season on Sunday…marks the first time in franchise history that the Yankees have recorded two shutouts within their first three games of a season.
