7:05pm - Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
Cliff Lee, LHP (12-9, 2.63) v. Derek Lowe, RHP (12-8, 4.48)
Cliff Lee will return to the hill at home, where he has looked great thus far. Then again, Lee has looked great everywhere he has worn Phillies red. With the Phils, the big lefty is 5-0 with a 0.68 ERA. He will face off with the Braves' righty, Derek Lowe. Lowe is a pitcher with whom the Phillies are very familiar. Despite their success against him in last year's NLCS, Lowe has been mostly dominant against the Phillies lineup in his career.
The Phillies have been unstoppable with Cliff Lee on the mound this year. They have won all five of his starts and despite not playing the best defense behind the southpaw, they have hit for him. Tonight, they will look to get Cliff Lee to his sixth win in a Phillies uniform as they host the Braves in the second of their three-game set. Lee has not had great success against current Braves, who are batting .321 in 58 career plate appearances. It will be important for Lee to work ahead of the Braves hitters, on a cool, wet night at the Bank.
Derek Lowe will have the task of taking on Lee for the Braves. Lowe got off to a fast start this season, but has been mediocre since then. However, he still features a sinker that typically gives the Phillies fits. Lifetime against Lowe, Phillies hitters have batted .181 in 203 plate appearances. They have only managed six home runs in those appearances. So tonight, it will be important for them to manufacture runs and not rely on the long ball so much.
The Phillies can really put a strangle-hold on the NL East with another win tonight. Their magic number is down to 28 and it could be 26 by the end of the night, if all goes well. However, they will be facing a tough pitcher, so it won't be easy. But with Cliff Lee on the mound, the Phillies know they have a great shot to win their 75th game of the season this evening.
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