Phillies Preview: August 11, 2009

Philadelphia Phillies (61-48) at Chicago Cubs (58-52)

8:05pm - Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL

J.A. Happ, LHP (8-2, 2.74) v. Rich Harden, RHP (7-7, 4.41)

J.A. Happ will look to continue his push towards the NL Rookie of the Year award as he faces off with the oft-injured Rich Harden in game one. The Phillies and Cubs will open their series with a good old fashioned pitcher's duel, or so it would seem. Harden has been especially tough on the Phillies and Happ has been, well, especially tough on everyone.

Happ will be making his first career appearance against the Cubs. The right-handed leaning lineup will have their work cut out for them against the Rookie of the Year hopeful Happ. The tall lefty has good numbers against righties (.226 BA against) but has only faced one Cub, Aaron Miles, three times in his career. More importantly, the 2009 Cubs have struggled mightily against southpaws, with righties hitting .237 and lefties just .195. The Cubs offense is led by first baseman Derek Lee, who has bounced back from a slow start to put up typically big numbers this year.

Rich Harden will oppose Happ on the mound for the Cubbies. Harden is having a mediocre year with a .500 record and a very average ERA. Nevertheless, he can be dominant, especially against Phillies hitters, who are batting a combined .115 against the righty. Raul Ibanez has faced Harden the most of any Phillie, but has managed just five hits in 26 at-bats. Ibanez is part of an overall slumping Phillies lineup that will look to get back on track in the Windy City. As a team, the Phils are doing respectable against righties, with the right-handers hitting .241 while their counterpart lefties are .258. Jimmy Rollins, the Phillies' spark plug is hot lately, batting .327 with seven dingers and 25 RBI since July 2nd.

This will be yet another tough test for the Phillies. Going on the road against a dominant home team in the Cubs (33-19 at home) would have been enough of a challenge. But coming off of an embarrassing weekend sweep at the hands of the Marlins, this is a pivotal moment in the 2009 season for the defending champs. Look for Happ to keep them in the game as the offense going. The flags blowing out at Wrigley could help too.