Pair of Aces: Phillies vs. Brewers Series Preview, June 12-14

Having won three series in a row and 11 of their last 15 games, the Phillies are in for their next challenge — a trip to visit the first-place Milwaukee Brewers.

In this series, the Phillies are certainly going to face some tough pitching, but for the first time all season, the Phillies recently proved that they can handle it. Coming off a series against the Padres, White Sox, and Blue Jays, the Phillies faced some of the game’s better hurlers, yet they finally seem to be finding their offensive groove. Alec Bohm and Brandon Marsh have led many of the Phillies’ offensive outbursts over the past two weeks, and they have been backed by the consistency of veterans like Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper.

Finally embracing the depth in this Phillies lineup, the offense has found some long-term success, getting some commanding wins over good teams, proving why they deserve a Wild Card spot. Now, the Brewers could very well be the biggest challenge this offense has faced, but the Phillies may be prepared for their strong pitching staff at just the right time.

Time to Strike

After a surprising series loss to the Athletics, the Brewers’ pitching staff may be at its most vulnerable. The Brewers allowed 25 runs against a mediocre A’s offense, so with the red-hot Phillies’ bats entering Milwaukee, the Phillies should be able to capitalize on these recent struggles.

Specifically, in game three, the Phillies will face the struggling Kyle Harrison. Against the A’s, Harrison allowed eight runs in just 2.1 innings of work. Interestingly, Harrison was one of baseball’s best pitchers until his last start, going into that game with a 1.57 season ERA. When Harrison faced the Giants on June 2, he threw a season-high 106 pitches, so it’s possible that his struggles stemmed from the increased workload in his prior start.

Game two could also prove interesting for the Brewers’ pitching staff, as they’ll turn to lefty Shane Drohan for just the fourth time this season. Drohan made one start in early April, was moved to the bullpen, and then returned to the starting rotation on June 1. Although he served as the long man in the bullpen, Drohan is still working back up to the typical pitch count of a starting pitcher. In his last start, he threw 83 pitches and allowed three runs on five hits over 6.1 innings of work.

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Battle of the Aces

This weekend, two of the best arms in baseball will be on display.

For the Phillies, it’s no secret. From April 30 to June 3, Cristopher Sanchez recorded the fifth-longest scoreless streak in MLB history, lasting 50.2 innings without allowing a run. Sanchez has thrown more innings than any pitcher in the National League and has a higher fWAR than anyone in baseball. Of all qualified pitchers in baseball, Sanchez ranks in the 99th percentile for chase percentage, in the 96th percentile for walk percentage, and in the 96th percentile for ground ball percentage.

There’s no denying the incredible season that Sanchez has put together. With numbers that are off the charts, many are arguing that Sanchez should get the nod to start the All-Star Game in Philadelphia.

Despite all these impressive numbers, he trails only one guy in ERA and strikeouts: sophomore starter Jacob Misiorowski of the Brewers.

And that is exactly who the Phillies will face in the series opener on Friday. In 13 starts, Misiorowski has a 1.50 ERA, 116 strikeouts, and a 0.81 WHIP in 78 innings of work. The 24-year-old righty is known for his electric fastball, which actually made headlines in his last start against the Rockies. Against Rockies’ Kyle Karros in the third inning, Misiorowski fired a 103.7-mile-per-hour fastball, the fastest recorded pitch since pitch tracking began in 2008. He also set an MLB record by throwing 45 pitches that were 101 miles per hour or faster.

Misiorowski also features a strong cutter and an above-average slider, keeping hitters off-balance beyond just his overpowering fastball. If the Phillies are able to catch up to his velocity, there’s no reason why they should not be successful against Misiorowski. The only issue? There’s a whole lot of velocity to adjust to.

Games Times and Broadcasts

Friday, June 12, 7:40 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Philadelphia, 94.1 WIP

Saturday, June 13, 7:10 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Philadelphia, FS1, 94.1 WIP

Sunday, June 14, 2:10 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Philadelphia, 94.1 WIP

Pitching Matchups

Game 1: Andrew Painter (RHP, 1-7, 6.21 ERA) vs. Jacob Misiorowski (RHP, 7-2, 1.50 ERA)

Game 2: Aaron Nola (RHP, 3-4, 5.86 ERA) vs. Shane Drohan (LHP, 3-1, 3.11 ERA)

Game 3: Cristopher Sanchez (LHP, 8-2, 1.54 ERA) vs. Kyle Harrison (LHP, 7-1, 2.72 ERA)

By the Numbers

• Record
  • Phillies: 37-21
  • Brewers: 41-25
• Run Differential
  • Phillies: -14
  • Brewers: 103
• Runs Scored Per Game
  • Philles: 4.06
  • Brewers: 5.33
• Runs Allowed Per Game
  • Phillies: 4.26
  • Brewers: 3.77

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