Phillies Preview: August 13, 2009

Philadelphia Phillies (63-48) at Chicago Cubs (58-54)

2:20pm - Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL

Cliff Lee, LHP (9-9, 2.95) v. Ryan Dempster, RHP (6-5, 4.04)

The finale of the three game set will be a traditional day game at Wrigley Field. It will feature a Cliff Lee and Ryan Dempster. Lee has pitched extremely well in his first two starts for the Phillies and will be matched up against a right-handed heavy Cubs lineup. Meanwhile, Dempster pitched one of his best games of the season his last time out, limiting the Rockies to two earned runs in a 6-5 Cubs win. If the wind is blowing out, this could be a higher scoring affair than both pitchers are used to.

The Phillies, behind Lee, will look to build on their road momentum before heading to Atlanta. Cliff Lee has had limited experience against the Cubs and their current lineup. However, in 51 plate appearances, Lee has allowed a .256 batting average and four homers. The key matchups will be against the hot hitting Milton Bradley and the slumping Alfonso Soriano. Keeping those two off base will limit the top and bottom of the Cubs' order, respectively. If Cliff Lee can maintain the same command that has him 2-0 as a Phillie, then he should find success again.

Opposing the Phillies will be a pitcher that their hitters have substantial experience against, Ryan Dempster. More importantly, the Phillies hitters have had great success against the righty, hitting .310 in 109 career plate appearances. The scorching-hot Jimmy Rollins leads the way with a .300 average in 38 appearances against Dempster, while Matt Stairs has three career homers against him. With the offense finally waking up in a big way last night, the finale should prove to be a good opportunity to continue this.

It's hard to say how the weather will play a role in this afternoon affair. However, Cliff Lee cannot worry about that, and needs to just pitch his game. If he does that, there should be a decent level of confidence among Phillies hitters to support him. After all, you have a lineup that was basically featured in the All-Star game; it would be impossible to hold it down forever.