The Philadelphia Phillies have lived two very different lives in their first two games against the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Phillies hope to replicate their latest offensive performance on Sunday afternoon when they visit the Brewers in the decisive contest of a three-game set.
In Friday’s series opener, Jacob Misiorowski authored one of the greatest starts in Brewers’ history. He pitched a one-hitter for his first career complete game, struck out 15 without a walk and did it all without reaching the 100-pitch mark.
On Saturday, though, the Phillies set a season high with 17 hits in a 9-8 victory. J.T. Realmuto homered and drove in four runs, while Edmundo Sosa also went deep for the visitors.
“We weren’t bothered (tonight) by what happened last night, and I didn’t think we would be,” Philadelphia interim manager Don Mattingly said. “Honestly, anytime you face that, and (Misiorowski’s) throwing the ball like he did last night, it’s kind of easy to flush it. When a guy’s doing that, anybody you see after that is just not the same.”
Realmuto and Sosa had three hits, as did Kyle Schwarber and Brandon Marsh. The Phillies have won 12 of their last 17 games, while the Brewers have dropped three of their last four contests.
“I think we have a really good group here and we’re able to do the little things,” said Milwaukee outfielder Jackson Chourio, who homered twice in Saturday’s setback. “I think things are going to go our way.”
For opponents of Cristopher Sanchez (8-2, 1.54 ERA), not much has gone their way this season. The Phillies’ left-hander has won six of his last seven starts, including Monday’s 5-2 triumph in Toronto in which he held the Blue Jays to two runs over seven innings.
Sanchez is looking for his eighth straight start of at least seven innings.
“I think it’s the pitch mix,” Sanchez said. “I try to play with them, what pitches they’re looking for. I try to play around with the pitches we use and the locations. Change their sights a little bit during the at-bats.”
Sanchez has made three previous appearances (two starts) against Milwaukee, posting a 2.03 ERA without a decision.
He’ll be opposed by another talented lefty in Kyle Harrison (7-1, 2.72), who has struggled in two prior appearances against Philadelphia. In those two contests, Harrison has allowed six runs and 17 hits in 8 1/3 innings en route to a 0-1 record with a 6.48 ERA.
Fast-forward to the present, though, and Harrison again is dealing with some ugly numbers on his stat sheet. Last Monday against the Athletics, he gave up eight runs and eight hits — including three home runs — in only 2 1/3 innings.
Harrison had surrendered a total of four runs in his previous seven starts.
“It’s tough to say, right? I mean, you watch that game,” Harrison said. “Yeah, I think it’s just kind of flush it, move on to the next one. Obviously, not the best stuff, not the best locations with the stuff. So yeah, just chalk it up on a crappy day in Vegas, that’s it.”
–Field Level Media
