Phillies Turn to Opener to End Four Game Skid

The Philadelphia Phillies (65-44) slump since the All-Star Break did not end with the off day Thursday, but they are hopeful to turn things around on Saturday night. Facing the Seattle Mariners (58-53) in game two of their three-game set, the Phillies will look to keep from being blown out for the second night in a row.

The Phillies will turn to an opener on Saturday in Orion Kerkering (2-2, 2.21 ERA). This will be Kerkering's second time this season acting as an opener. In his first opener role appearance, he allowed no runs and no baserunner through the first inning before turning it over for the second inning. Kolby Allard (0-0, 6.75 ERA) will come in after Kerkering, and the Phillies hope to get no less than four innings from him.

Here is how the Phillies will line up on Saturday:

1.) DH Kyle Schwarber
2.) SS Trea Turner
3.) 1B Bryce Harper
4.) 3B Alec Bohm
5.) CF Brandon Marsh
6.) C J.T. Realmuto
7.) RF Nick Castellanos
8.) 2B Bryson Stott
9.) LF Austin Hays

RHP Orion Kerkering

The Mariners will turn to Bryce Miller (8-7, 3.46 ERA) in response. In his last start, he allowed three earned runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out six in 6 1/3 innings. Miller's repertoire includes a four-seam fastball, sinker, splitter, sweeper, slider, knuckle curve, and cutter. He relies heavily on his four-seam fastball, throwing it 43.9 percent of the time, but turns to his sinker in put away situations the most at 25.7 percent.

Here is how the Mariners will line up on Saturday:

1.) CF Victor Robles
2.) LF Randy Arozarena
3.) C Cal Raleigh
4.) 1B Justin Turner
5.) 2B Jorge Polanco
6.) SS Dylan Moore
7.) RF Mitch Haniger
8.) DH Mitch Garver
9.) 3B Josh Rojas

SP Bryce Miller

How to Watch

The first pitch for Saturday's game is scheduled for 9:40 PM EST. The game will be broadcast nationally on MLB Network (out-of-market only) as well as NBC Sports Philadelphia and ROOTNW. Phillies fans can listen to the game on 94 WIP or WTTM 1680.