Seattle Mariners vs. Philadelphia Phillies: expected pitchers and starting lineups, August 4.

Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler It felt like the Philadelphia Phillies (65-45) were finally going to break their losing skid on Saturday against the Seattle Mariners (59-53), at least for the first half of the game. Instead, they found a new way to lose, racking up their sixth straight loss, causing some fans to push the panic button.

With a 5-1 lead in the sixth inning, All-Star reliever Jeff Hoffman, who has been automatic this season, gave up four runs to tie the game. In the 10th, Carlos Estévez couldn’t overcome loading the bases on a hit batter. In fairness to him, he didn’t get a strike-three call that should have ended the inning before walking in the winning run moments later.

“We’re just in a funk right now,” catcher J.T. Realmuto said after the mind-boggling loss, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. “We’re just finding ways to lose games. It’s something different every night.”

The Phillies will try to salvage the series finale on Sunday and take the first step to breaking out of their funk when they send ace Zack Wheeler to the hill. It would be good to get a win under their belts before heading to Los Angeles for a three-game set against the Dodgers.

Phillies vs. Mariners probable pitchers, Aug. 4

Zack Wheeler (10-5) will start for the Phillies. The right-hander comes in with a 2.94 ERA and 1.02 WHIP after a July that saw him post a 3.91 ERA. Wheeler’s last start was forgettable when he gave up seven runs on seven hits to the Yankees over five innings.

Logan Gilbert (6-7) will take the ball for the Mariners. The 27-year-old right-hander has a 3.11 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in 22 starts this season. He posted a 4.60 ERA in five July starts and, like Wheeler, allowed seven runs on seven hits in his last game, going just 2 2/3 innings against the Red Sox.