Rockin’, Rollin’, and Honoring a Legend — Series Preview: Rockies at Phillies, April 15 – 17
Apr 13, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos (8) hits a walk off RBI single during the ninth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The Phillies may not be rockin’ and rollin’ just yet, but with the 4-12 Colorado Rockies coming to town, there’s no time better than the present. The Phillies, with an 8-8 record a little more than two weeks into the season, have experienced a plethora of highs and lows, with some patterns from 2023 carrying into 2024 and some newer patterns beginning to develop. With the easiest portion of their schedule starting today, now is the time for the Phightins’ to break out.
Not much has changed with the Rockies since they last faced off with the Phils in May of 2023. During the offseason, the Rox signed starter Dakota Hudson to a one-year deal and traded for pitchers Cal Quantrill and Jalen Beeks, bolstering their pitching staff. Catcher Jacob Stallings was also inked to a contract to back up 2023 all-star Elias Diaz, who is off to a hot start in 2024, boasting a .311 batting average.
A Milestone Ahead?
2024 has brought us a new version of Kyle Schwarber. Leaner, more athletic, quicker, and disciplined. With this approach, he may not smash 40 home runs per season, but he has shown glimpses of being a more well-rounded player who can drive the ball to all sides of the field and alter his approach for a specific in-game situation. In essence, 2023 was home run or nothing, but less than a year later, his refined approach has fulfilled that gap.
Coming into the first game of three against the Rockies, Schwarber is just one home run away from 250 in his career. As of today, only 246 players have met or eclipsed that number. For context, that is less than 1.2% of all major league baseball players dating back to 1876. Conveniently, Schwarber has three hits in 11 career at-bats against Rockies’ game-one starter Cal Quantrill, and all of them are home runs.
Reflecting on a Special Day
Today—Monday, April 15—is a special day in Major League Baseball. Exactly 77 years ago, Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball, debuting with the Brooklyn Dodgers and becoming the first African-American to perform on a stage that was once dominated by racial discrimination and prejudice. After his baseball career, Robinson was active as an advocate for social justice during the Civil Rights Movement. To reflect on the paramount change that Robinson has instilled, everyone—across the league—will wear the number 42 on their jerseys to honor his legacy, a tradition that started in 2004. Robinson’s number is retired and cannot be worn every other day of the year.
Last year, the Phillies were shutout 13-0 on Jackie Robinson Day, so hopefully this year will bring the Phils some better luck.
Game Times and Broadcasts
Monday, April 15, at 6:40pm ET on NBC Sports Philadelphia, 94.1 WIP, and WTTM 1680 (Spanish)
Tuesday, April 16, at 6:40pm ET on NBC Sports Philadelphia, 94.1 WIP, and WTTM 1680 (Spanish)
Wednesday, April 17, at 6:05pm ET on NBC Sports Philadelphia, 94.1 WIP, and WTTM 1680 (Spanish)
Pitching Matchups
Game 1: Aaron Nola (RHP, 2-1, 4.50 ERA) vs. Cal Quantrill (RHP, 0-2, 7.20 ERA)
Game 2: Ranger Suárez (LHP, 2-0, 2.65 ERA) vs. Austin Gomber (LHP, 0-0, 4.91 ERA)
Game 3: Cristopher Sánchez (LHP, 0-2, 3.52 ERA) vs. Ryan Feltner (LHP, 1-1, 3.38 ERA)
By the Numbers
- Records
- Phillies: 8-8
- Rockies: 4-12
- Run Differential
- Phillies: -13
- Rockies: -34
- Runs Scored Per Game
- Phillies: 3.63
- Rockies: 4.31
- Runs Allowed Per Game
- Phillies: 4.44
- Rockies: 6.44
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