Phillies Preview: Braves Series 8/28 - 8/30

Atlanta Braves (67-60) at Philadelphia Phillies (73-52)

The Phillies have a chance to put a major dent in their magic number and the Braves' playoff hopes, as they welcome Atlanta into Philly for a three-game series. The Braves have been playing pretty well lately, but find themselves out of the division race and on the outer edges of the wild card chase. The Phillies can make a real statement at home against this very good pitching team. It will be especially important for the Phillies to win this series, as they have struggled all season against the Braves.

August 28, 2009

7:05pm - Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA

Pedro Martinez, RHP (2-0, 5.14) v. Tommy Hanson, RHP (9-2, 3.12)

Pedro Martinez will look to get the Phillies off to a good start against the Atlanta Braves at home on Friday night. Depite being 2-0, Pedro has looking mediocre in his first three starts. As he becomes more acclimated with the majors again, his numbers should improve. One player who is already acclimated with the major leagues is the rookie phenom for the Braves, Tommy Hanson. Hanson, the hard-tossing righty will be a true challenge for the Phillies offense.

Pitching Primer: Pedro Martinez

2009 Home Splits: (0-0) 1 G, 3.0 IP, 3.00 ERA, 3 K

Career at Citizens Bank Park: (1-1) 5 G, 21.1 IP, 7.17 ERA, 28 K

Career vs. Braves Hitters: 189 PA, .198 BA, 5 HR, 49 K

Pitching Primer: Tommy Hanson

2009 Road Splits: (3-1) 6 G, 36.2 IP, 2.70 ERA, 20 K

Career at Citizens Bank Park: n/a

Career vs. Phillies Hitters: n/a

August 29, 2009

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.

Pitching Primer: Cliff Lee
2009 Home Splits: (2-0) 2 G, 16.0 IP, 0.56 ERA, 20 K
Career at Citizens Bank Park: (2-0) 2 G, 16.0 IP, 0.56 ERA, 20 K
Career vs. Braves Hitters: 58 PA, .321 BA, 1 HR, 8 K

Pitching Primer: Derek Lowe
2009 Road Splits: (6-6) 13 G, 75.2 IP, 5.11 ERA, 35 K
Career at Citizens Bank Park: (3-0) 4 G, 28.0 IP, 1.61 ERA, 12 K
Career vs. Phillies Hitters: 203 PA, .181 BA, 6 HR, 25 K

August 30, 2009

8:05pm - Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA

Joe Blanton, RHP (8-6, 3.88) v. Jair Jurrjens, RHP (10-8, 2.91)

The finale of the series will be an ESPN Sunday Night game with Joe Blanton toeing the rubber against Jair Jurrjens. The two righties are a pair of the most underrated pitchers in the league, though the numbers don't necessarily reveal it. Blanton will look to get back on the winning track, after going just 1-2 in his last five starts. Jair Jurrjens has taken a lot of hard-luck losses this season, though his ERA is impressive. He has always been a tough opponent for the Phillies.

Pitching Primer: Joe Blanton
2009 Home Splits: (5-3) 13 G, 86.0 IP, 3.98 ERA, 70 K
Career at Citizens Bank Park: (7-3) 20 G, 124.0 IP, 3.85 ERA, 92 K
Career vs. Braves Hitters: 142 PA, .303 BA, 4 HR, 22 K

Pitching Primer: Jair Jurrjens
2009 Road Splits: (5-3) 13 G, 76.1 IP, 3.18 ERA, 51 K
Career at Citizens Bank Park: (2-0) 3 G, 20.2 IP, 0.87 ERA, 9 K
Career vs. Phillies Hitters: 166 PA, .189 BA, 4 HR, 25 K