Dbacks @ Phillies Preview: Anderson Looks for Win #1

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The Arizona Diamondbacks will embark on a 7-game road trip that starts on Friday night when they visit the City of Brotherly Love. The Phillies currently sit in last place in the National League East and carry one of the worst records in baseball. The Dbacks would be wise to take advantage of this opportunity and try to gain some momentum in the National League West race.

Some of the most dangerous Phillies players have been elaborated on earlier today. Philadelphia is coming off a series split against Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, Arizona was able to take 1 of 3 against Washington. Mark Trumbo smacked a couple of homers in the lone victory for the Dbacks, but will not be in the starting lineup today. Philadelphia called up Maikel Franco from AAA and will make his 2015 debut tonight.

Probable Pitchers

Chase Anderson (0-1, 2.97 ERA, 29 K) vs Chad Billingsley (0-2, 9.00 ERA, 5 K)

Anderson, surprisingly, has one of the best ERA’s on the Dbacks starting rotation. The one who’s bettered him is Archie Bradley, who’ll return to the rotation tomorrow. With Patrick Corbin‘s return targeted towards the beginning of June, Anderson will need to continue his impressive outings to stay in the rotation.

Anderson has been snake bitten by lack of run support this season. He’s provided Arizona with 4 quality starts this season but has yet to find the win column. His last two starts have seen him go a combined 13 innings while only surrendering a run and striking out 9. Here’s hoping that Anderson finds that run support and victory he deserves.

Even at the age of 30, it can be argued that Billingsley’s best days are behind him. In his time in Los Angeles, he had 6 seasons in which registered 10 wins or more. His career year came in 2008 when he went 16-10 with a 3.14 ERA. The following season he appeared in his only All Star Game.

Give his past, it makes sense for the Phillies to take a flyer on him. So far this season, Billingsley has been rattled in his two starts. Both starts have seen him go 5 innings. Both starts have also seen him surrender 5 runs and 8 hits.

Starting Lineups

As stated earlier, Trumbo will take a seat with A.J. Pollock and David Peralta manning the lineup positions in between Paul Goldschmidt. Yasmany Tomas had returned to the lineup, but was scratched and replaced by Cliff Pennington. The regulars will man the middle infield with Aaron Hill sitting.