Phillies Preview: September 30, 2009

Philadelphia Phillies 10, Houston Astros 3

W - Kendrick (3-1), L - Moehler (8-12), Phillies Clinch NL East

Pedro Martinez was not sharp tonight but he battled his way through the early part of the game and kept the Phillies close. Slowly but surely, the Phillies offense broke through against Brian Moehler and the Astros. After falling behind early, by a score of 3-1, the Phillies continued to just score and put up nine unanswered runs. They pieced together the bullpen to record their 92nd win of the season, by a final of 10-3. With the win, the Philadelphia Phillies clinched the 2009 NL East title.

The Phillies were hoping for more from Pedro tonight. But to his credit, he got through four innings and limited the damage, despite not having very good stuff at all. He was lifted early for a pinch hitter and did not qualify for the win. On the night, he allowed three earned runs on six hits and a walk, but it could have been much worse. Kyle Kendrick came in for three scoreless innings of great relief, and picked up his third win of the season. In a classy move, Charlie Manuel brought in Brad Lidge to record the final out of the game.

For the Astros, it was the same old story for Brian Moehler as he started to fall apart in the middle innings. The Phillies began to hit the ball very hard for extra base hits and scored four times in a big fourth inning that put them ahead for good. Moehler allowed seven earned runs on six hits over 4.1 innings pitched. The Astros bullpen allowed the rest, as seven different Phillies had RBIs and they did not rely on the long ball too heavily. Raul Ibanez did hit his career high 34th homer of the year.

So the Philadelphia Phillies will retain their title as the National League East Champions for the third straight season. It was a great win for the Phillies, who would have clinched anyway because the Braves have lost. However, it now gives the Phillies four extra days to rest, work their rotation into place, and aim for the best record in the National League. The Cardinals had already lost, giving the Phillies a two game lead ahead of the Central champs. And the Dodgers entered play later, with just a one game lead over the Phillies. The Phillies are headed to the playoffs again!

Phillies Preview: September 30, 2009

Houston Astros (73-84) at Philadelphia Phillies (91-66)

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

Brian Moehler, RHP (8-11, 5.21) v. Pedro Martinez, RHP (5-1, 3.32)

In a game that could be the clincher for the Phillies, Pedro Martinez will get the start against the Astros. Martinez, a big-game pitcher, should relish the opportunity to work in front of an electric Philadelphia crowd tonight. Pedro will be opposed by the Astros' Brian Moehler. Though he has a high ERA, Moehler is a formidable opponent and should be a solid challenge for the Phillies offense tonight.

The Phillies will look for Pedro Martinez to pick up where he left off before straining his neck 11 days ago. Prior to that, the Phillies were 7-1 in Martinez's starts. For his career against the Astros, Martinez has held batters to a .260 average in 164 plate appearances. Pedro will need to get off to a strong start, as he often struggles in the first inning. If he can do that and keep his fastball on the corners, then he should be poised for success.

The Astros will send their righty, Brian Moehler, to the mound this evening. Moehler has battled through a tough season, in which he has allowed a lot of runs, but won a handful of games in spite of it. He has some experience against the Phillies and will try to keep their bats off the board. In 182 career plate appearances, current Phillies are hitting .305 against Moehler with nine home runs. They will want to be aggressive tonight against this soft-tosser, as he does throw a lot of strikes.

With the division crown in striking distance tonight, there is no doubt that the team and fans want to clinch tonight. The magic number is at one, so even with a loss, the Phillies could back into the NL East title with a loss from the Braves. However, knowing the Phillies, they will want to have a good start from Pedro Martinez and put a lot of runs on the board and win this game and the third straight division outright.

Phillies Recap: September 29, 2009

Philadelphia Phillies 7, Houston Astros 4

W - Happ (12-4), L - Lopez (0-1), S - Madson (10)

The Phillies had everyone at Citizens Bank Park holding their breath for most of the game. However, powered by the long ball, they jolted their way to their 91st victory of the season. It was a big win for the team, as they put together a solid start from Jay Happ and the offense got to Wilton Lopez. Pedro Feliz delivered the big hit with a grand slam in the fourth, leading the Phillies to a 7-4 victory.

Jay Happ pitched better than his numbers would indicate, and hung in for 5.2 innings. Despite having a very high pitch count early, Happ was getting the job done when he needed to, working out of several jams. Happ allowed three earned runs on nine hits and a walk. He struck out six and was lifted to his 12th victory by an uncharacteristically solid bullpen. One big concern was a groin strain that Jamie Moyer suffered on his final pitch in the seventh inning.

The Phillies offense looked like it was going to once again get shut down by a rookie. Wilton Lopez was strong out of the gate, but the Phillies rallied in the fourth. They loaded the bases with no one out and Pedro Feliz wasted no time depositing his second grand slam of the season deep into left field. The Phillies did well to tack on runs late, though they were not as patient as they could have been. Still, when the team scores seven runs, they should win the game.

With the win tonight, the Phillies have turned around their whole outlook on the home stretch of the season. Coupled with a Braves loss that came just a few minutes after the conclusion of the game, the Phillies' magic number is now down to one. That means the Phils will have five tries to seal the deal on their third straight NL East crown. The Phillies also surged a full game ahead of the Cardinals in the race for the best record in the National League; they still trail the Dodgers by two games entering play late tonight. More importantly, tonight gave everyone a boost of confidence in their offense and pitching.

Baseball is Still Just a Game

When I was growing up, baseball was just a game to me. I played little league baseball and loved having a catch with my father. I would lay on my bed on summer evenings, listening to Harry Kalas give me a picture-perfect view of every ball game. A few times each year, my dad and I would make the journey to Veterans Stadium, usually on a Sunday afternoon. It was an all day event, from the moment I woke up until the time we got home. But I rarely knew their record or standings, because it was irrelevant. Baseball was always just a game.

In the mid-1990s, the Phillies were basically the laughing stock of the National League. They rarely fielded a legitimate baseball team and had only a few scattered stars. The most exciting part of every season was seeing the Phillie Phanatic ride around on his ATV, entertaining the crowds. Just a game. I knew very little about the Phillies' minor league teams, except that they existed. And I always had a naive belief that someday, my baseball skills would somehow morph into major league-quality talent.

When I was at the ball park, the sights and sounds always convinced me that baseball was just a game. I watched carefully as the players took batting practice, hitting the balls over the wall with ease. They would lob throws to each other across distances I could only dream about. The grounds crew would carefully paint chalky lines around home plate and shower the infield with water. It was all in delicate preparation for what was just a little boy's game. The public address announcer's voice would echo in the cavernous park and during the seventh inning stretch, a whimsical organ rendition of Take Me Out to the Ball Game would be played.

How could baseball not be a game? I knew nothing of steroids or performance-enhancing drugs. I never saw a corked bat or a pitcher with sand paper up his sleeve. I never analyzed pitch sequences or slugging percentages. There was a whole new dimension of the game that I never really knew existed. I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy every statistic and intricate detail of the game I now know. But sometimes, especially when it feels like winning is most important, we can lose sight of the fact that baseball is just a game.

In the midst of yet another pennant race, Phillies fans almost certainly have a feeling of gratification and perhaps even entitlement. It has been many years since the team we love has competed consistently and made baseball more than just a game in Philadelphia. There's a week left in the season and the importance of every at bat is magnified. It's hard to have fun and enjoy baseball when championships hang in the balance. But as the season winds down, with the emphasis on winning and performing and executing, remember that baseball is still just a game.

Phillies Preview: September 29, 2009

Houston Astros (73-83) at Philadelphia Phillies (90-66)
7:05pm - Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA

Wilton Lopez, RHP (0-0, 8.44) v. J.A. Happ, LHP (11-4, 2.79)

The Phillies will call on Jay Happ for the second game of the series against Wilton Lopez of the Astros. Happ was strong in his last outing, and will look to gain some more momentum heading into the post season. Though his role for the Phillies will be uncertain, Happ and the Phillies will certainly be hoping for a solid start. The Astros will be sending Wilton Lopez, another youngster, to the hill to face off with Happ. Lopez has yet to record a decision this season, but has a very high ERA and has had little success thus far.

With a tough loss behind them, the Phillies need Jay Happ to step up and right their ship. He might be just the man to do it, as he has been one of their most consistent starters this year. Though his role for the Phillies in the playoffs is unclear at this point, he can make one more solid start before anything changes. Happ has never faced the Astros before and will need to command his fast ball, as usual to keep their solid lineup under control.

Happ will take on Wilton Lopez of the Astros. Lopez is another rookie pitcher with an inflated ERA. The Phillies will need to be more patient against Lopez and look for opportunities to tack on runs. The Phillies have never seen this right hander so it will be especially important for them to see a lot of pitches early on. With much of their lineup struggling, they need to start finding a rhythm soon, as the quality of opposing pitchers will start to improve drastically.

This game might be the critical one in the season for the Phillies. With a win, they will lower their magic number to two and turn themselves out of a 2-5 funk. A loss, however, will cause more concern and start to back the team into a corner. Clearly, the Phils will need a clutch start from Jay Happ and some offensive production early and often.

Phillies Recap: September 28, 2009

Houston Astros 8, Philadelphia Phillies 2

W - Bazardo (1-2), L - Hamels (10-10)

The Phillies didn't show up for their first game of four against the Astros. The Astros out-pitched, out-hit, and out-played the Phillies all night long. Cole Hamels started strong but began to wear down and find trouble in the middle innings. Meanwhile, Astros' rookie Yorman Bazardo dominated a punchless Phillies lineup that never really threatened much all night. By the time the disaster was over, the Astros had beaten the Phils 8-2.

The Phillies did not look impressive on the mound. Cole Hamels made it through the Astros order once before running into problems. Hamels went 6.2 innings, allowing six earned runs on nine hits and three walks. He did strike out five but overall, it was an ineffective night for the lefty. The Phillies bullpen came in and did just as poorly, allowing the game to get completely out of hand. It was a forgettable night for the Phils' pitchers.

The Phillies bats were equally bad against the rookie Yorman Bazardo. Coming in with an ERA near 10, Bazardo looked like an ace on the mound, allowing just two runs on two hits. He did walk four and strike out four over his 5.2 innings. It was his first career victory and came in an inexcusable fashion. No one in the Phillies lineup had particularly good at bats and they seemed anxious at the dish.

With the Braves winning again on Monday night, the Phillies' magic number remains three. The Phillies suddenly find themselves just four games ahead with six to play. They are dangerously close to making the NL East a race again. For now, it will be important to forget this loss and focus on tomorrow's game. The Phillies still control their own destiny and can clinch a playoff berth by Wednesday, so it's too soon to press the panic button.

Phillies Preview: September 28, 2009

Houston Astros (72-83) at Philadelphia Phillies (90-65)

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

Yorman Bazardo, RHP (0-2, 9.55) v. Cole Hamels, LHP (10-9, 4.11)

The first game of four will feature Cole Hamels, in what might be his final outing before the post season. By the time his next turn comes, the Phillies hope that the division is locked up, so that he may rest. This will be an important game for Hamels, as the Astros got to him a bit when they met earlier in Houston. Hamels will be opposed by Yorman Bazardo of the Astros. Bazardo is a young righty who has not yet won a game this season.

Cole Hamels is working back into the postseason-MVP form he had last autumn and the Phillies could not be more pleased. With tonight's game potentially being Cole's finally start of the 2009 regular season, he will look to finish strong after enduring one of his toughest seasons as a professional. He will face the Astros, a team that has hit him pretty well, sporting a .296 batting average in 90 career plate appearances. Hamels will look to build success off of his fast ball in the game and stay ahead of the Astros.

The Astros will send Yorman Bazardo to the mound in opposition of Hamels. Aside from having a fun name to pronounce, Bazardo has compiled a lackluster line in 2009. His ERA is up near 10 and he has yet to record a victory. In very limited action against the Phillies, Bazardo has allowed a .500 batting average in four plate appearances. He allowed an earned run in one relief appearance inning versus the Phillies this season. The Phillies will want to wait out this young pitcher and force him to throw strikes that they can handle.

With the magic number at three and the rally towels sure to be waving, the Phillies must buckle down and really focus on tonight's game. While the Braves are in action, they cannot be looking over their shoulder and must take care of business on their own. With a strong start from their ace and a patient offensive approach, the Phillies can have the NL East title within striking distance tomorrow.

Phillies Preview: Astros Series 9/28 - 10/1

Houston Astros (72-83) at Philadelphia Phillies (90-65)

September 28 - October 1

The Philadelphia Phillies welcome the Houston Astros into town for a four-game series. This will begin the Phillies' final home stand, with seven games remaining in the season. Earlier this year, the down-and-out Astros swept the Phils in a four-game set in Houston. Now, the Phillies, on the verge of their third straight division crown, will look to return the favor. They can clinch as early as Tuesday and will send the heart of their rotation to the hill for one last turn before the post season. This series will be critical for the Phillies to get on track in all facets of their game.

September 28, 2009

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

Yorman Bazardo, RHP (0-2, 9.55) v. Cole Hamels, LHP (10-9, 4.11)

The first game of four will feature Cole Hamels, in what might be his final outing before the post season. By the time his next turn comes, the Phillies hope that the division is locked up, so that he may rest. This will be an important game for Hamels, as the Astros got to him a bit when they met earlier in Houston. Hamels will be opposed by Yorman Bazardo of the Astros. Bazardo is a young righty who has not yet won a game this season.

Pitching Primer: Yorman Bazardo

2009 Road Splits: (0-1) 4 G, 11.1 IP, 9.53 ERA, 5 K

Career at Citizens Bank Park: (0-0) 1 G, 1.0 IP, 9.00 ERA, 2 K

Career vs. Phillies Hitters: 4 PA, .500 BA, 0 HR, 1 K

Pitching Primer: Cole Hamels

2009 Home Splits: (7-3) 15 G, 95.2 IP, 3.29 ERA, 96 K

Career at Citizens Bank Park: (27-15) 54 G, 355.1 IP, 3.29 ERA, 331 K

Career vs. Astros Hitters: 90 PA, .296 BA, 1 HR, 13 K

September 29, 2009

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

Wilton Lopez, RHP (0-0, 8.44) v. J.A. Happ, LHP (11-4, 2.79)

The Phillies will call on Jay Happ for the second game of the series against Wilton Lopez of the Astros. Happ was strong in his last outing, and will look to gain some more momentum heading into the post season. Though his role for the Phillies will be uncertain, Happ and the Phillies will certainly be hoping for a solid start. The Astros will be sending Wilton Lopez, another youngster, to the hill to face off with Happ. Lopez has yet to record a decision this season, but has a very high ERA and has had little success thus far.

Pitching Primer: Wilton Lopez

2009 Road Splits: (0-0) 3 G, 5.2 IP, 14.29 ERA, 4 K

Career at Citizens Bank Park: n/a

Career vs. Phillies Hitters: n/a

Pitching Primer: J.A. Happ

2009 Home Splits: (4-2) 15 G, 63.1 IP, 3.98 ERA, 54 K

Career at Citizens Bank Park: (4-3) 22 G, 92.0 IP, 4.50 ERA, 81 K

Career vs. Astros Hitters: n/a

September 30, 2009

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

Brian Moehler, RHP (8-11, 5.21) v. Cliff Lee, LHP (14-12, 3.19)

Game three of this series will feature Cliff Lee of the Phillies and Brian Moehler of the Astros. Lee is coming off of another shaky start and is in the middle of a mediocre stretch with the Phillies. However, he can get back on track as he prepares for his first postseason appearance this year. This will likely be his last start of the regular season, as the Phillies will want Lee to get some rest before the playoffs. Brian Moehler will take the ball for the Astros, and despite his high ERA, still has the capability of shutting down a big league club.

Pitching Primer: Brian Moehler

2009 Road Splits: (5-4) 13 G, 73.1 IP, 3.93 ERA, 42 K

Career at Citizens Bank Park: (1-2) 5 G, 21.2 IP, 7.06 ERA, 13 K

Career vs. Phillies Hitters: 182 PA, .305 BA, 9 HR, 23 K

Pitching Primer: Cliff Lee

2009 Home Splits: (6-7) 15 G, 105.0 IP, 2.74 ERA, 90 K

Career at Citizens Bank Park: (3-1) 4 G, 30.0 IP, 2.10 ERA, 34 K

Career vs. Astros Hitters: 59 PA, .333 BA, 3 HR, 12 K

October 1, 2009

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

Felipe Paulino, RHP (2-11, 6.51) v. Pedro Martinez, RHP (5-1, 3.32)

The finale of the four-game series will feature Pedro Martinez and Felipe Paulino. Martinez has missed his last several starts with a stiff neck. The Phillies have been cautious with his health, as they prepare for the playoffs. This will certainly be Pedro's final test before the Phillies move into the post season. Martinez will be opposed by Felipe Paulino, who is in the midst of a terrible season. Paulino, the righty, has been getting more starts lately, without much success. But the Phillies will still need to treat this opponent seriously.

Pitching Primer: Felipe Paulino

2009 Road Splits: (1-6) 9 G, 33.1 IP, 8.37 ERA, 30 K

Career at Citizens Bank Park: n/a

Career vs. Phillies Hitters: n/a

Pitching Primer: Pedro Martinez

2009 Home Splits: (2-0) 4 G, 20.0 IP, 0.90 ERA, 20 K

Career at Citizens Bank Park: (3-1) 8 G, 38.1 IP, 4.23 ERA, 45 K

Career vs. Astros Hitters: 164 PA, .260 BA, 5 HR, 34 K

Phillies Recap: September 27, 2009

Philadelphia Phillies 6, Milwaukee Brewers 5

W - Blanton (12-7), L - Bush (5-9), S - Madson (9)

The Phillies came out of the gate early and scored runs for Joe Blanton. However, Blanton was not very sharp and kept the Brewers in the ballgame. Though he pitched with a lead all day, the game never felt under control. Dave Bush was hit hard by the Phillies but they left 14 runners on base in the game, leading to a close conclusion. However, they hung on to win the game 6-5.

Joe Blanton did not have electric stuff. His pitch count escalated quickly and though he pitched from ahead, he was shaky. In the sixth inning, Blanton finally gave up the big hit as the Brewers put together a four-run inning on him. On the afternoon, Blanton went 5.2 innings, allowing five earned runs on seven hits and four walks. The bullpen kept the Phillies ahead with the slimest of margins, and Ryan Madson came in to record a four-out save.

For the Brewers, the damage could have been a lot worse. Dave Bush was very erratic and had trouble locating his breaking pitches. However, the Phillies were not very patient with him and he did settle down, after allowing four early runs. Bush went 4.1 innings, allowing five earned runs on nine hits and a walk. Once again, the Brewer bullpen held the Phillies offense in check and kept them off the score board for the final four frames. Jimmy Rollins got the scoring started for the Phillies with a lead off homer.

This was an important win for the Phillies. They finish the Brewers series and road trip at an even .500 and lower their magic number to three. More importantly, it builds some confidence in their much-maligned bullpen. The save for Madson is especially important, if he is to continue in that role into the playoffs. The win marks the Phillies' 90th of the season and 48th of the season on the road.

Phillies Preview: September 27, 2009

Philadephia Phillies (89-65) at Milwaukee Brewers (77-78)

2:05pm - Miller Park, Milwaukee, WI

Joe Blanton, RHP (11-7, 3.82) v. Dave Bush, RHP (5-8, 6.22)

The finale of the four game set will feature Joe Blanton of the Phillies and Dave Bush of the Brewers. Blanton has been the Phillies most consistent starter and always gives them a chance to win. He has been especially good lately and if the Phillies can get him a lead, he should go deep into the game. Dave Bush, the struggling righty, will toe the rubber for the Brewers. Despite having a poor record and stats this season, Bush always seems to give the Phillies trouble. Earlier this season, Bush nearly no-hit the Phillies, so they cannot take this opponent lightly.

After dropping the last two games to the Brewers, the Phillies will look to Joe Blanton to be their stopper this afternoon. The Phillies are in the midst of a 1-4 stretch, but won the last start by Joe Blanton in convincing fashion. Blanton will look to duplicate that success against a Brewers team that he has not been great against. In 80 career plate appearances, current Brewers are hitting .333 against Blanton. Blanton will need to command all of his pitches and keep the Brewers' offense off balance.

Dave Bush gets the nod this afternoon against the Phillies. After starting the season strong, Bush spent time on the disabled list. Since returning, he has not been the same. However, the soft-tossing righty still has some decent stuff and has given the Phillies' offense fits. In his career, Bush has held current Phillies to a .243 average in 165 plate appearances. The Phillies will want to be patient against him, as he likes to nibble around the strike zone and use his breaking pitches to get hitters chasing.

With this being the last road game of the regular season, the Phillies will want to finish it strong. Their magic number remains at four and they can be ready to clinch early this week. With the rough patch they have hit recently, the Phillies will really need to buckle down to earn a split in the series against the Brewers and go .500 on their current road trip.

Phillies Recap: September 26, 2009

Milwaukee Brewers 7, Philadelphia Phillies 5

W - Hoffman (2-2), L - Walker (2-1)

The Phillies jumped all over Braden Looper and the Brewers and took a 4-0 lead in support of Kyle Kendrick. However, the team just couldn't hold the lead and allowed the Brewers to claw their way back into the game. With the game tied going into the ninth, the Brew Crew won the game on a walk-off home run by Ryan Braun. The final score was 7-5 in a game that the Phillies really should have won.

Sloppy defense and a shaky start by Kyle Kendrick did not help to preserve the Phillies' early lead. Kendrick started off strong but quickly began to fall apart, allowing base hits and walks. In four innings, Kendrick allowed two runs on six hits and a pair of walks. He fanned four but was lifted early as he never really looked in control of the game. Jamie Moyer came on and gave the Phillies four solid innings of relief, but was the victim of some poor defense that allowed the game to be tied late. The Phillies bullpen then allowed the walk-off home run to Braun.

Braden Looper was not especially good and the Phillies touched him up for four early runs. However, he did seem to settle in and held the Brewers close for six innings. He allowed three earned runs on seven hits and walk, while striking out five. The Brewers' bullpen again came in and shut down the Phillies offense for the final three innings. Ryan Howard did hit his 43rd homer of the season in the losing effort.

In a game that featured five errors and poor play from both sides, the Phillies can only blame themselves for this loss. They built an early lead that they couldn't hold on to and failed to add much to their lead late in the game. The tandem of Kyle Kendrick and Jamie Moyer did fairly well, but got little help from the rest of the team. That led to the dramatic finish, which leaves the Phillies' magic number at four with eight games left to play.

Phillies Preview: September 26, 2009

Philadephia Phillies (89-64) at Milwaukee Brewers (76-78)
7:05pm - Miller Park, Milwaukee, WI

Kyle Kendrick, RHP (2-1, 2.70) v. Braden Looper, RHP (13-7, 5.12)

With the Phillies not wanting to risk Pedro Martinez's health at this point in the season, Kyle Kendrick will make another spot start. Thus far as a starter down the stretch, Kendrick has pitched extremely well, in clutch situations. The Phillies will look for another quality outing from the young right in Milwaukee. Braden Looper, the veteran righty will face off with the Phillies and Kendrick. Looper, the one-time reliever, is having an average season, despite a good record. He has the highest run support in the National League, and the Phillies will need to get to him early, before he can pitch with a lead.

After a tough loss last night, the Phillies will look to Kyle Kendrick to right the ship. They have the right man for the job, as Kendrick has excelled this season as a starter down the stretch. Kendrick has average numbers against the Brewers, allowing a .333 batting average against in 36 lifetime plate appearances. Kendrick will need to work ahead of the Brew Crew and keep them off the bases as much as possible.

The Brewers will send their struggling righty Braden Looper to the mound. Looper, a former closer, has been a starter for the last several seasons. However, the veteran is really struggling this year, with an ERA north of five. In his career, Looper has been solid against the Phillies, with current Phils batting just .237 in 130 plate appearances against him. They will want to be patient with Looper, who does not have overpowering stuff. If they can get some runs on the board for Kendrick, they will be in good shape to rebound.

A night after the Brewers jumped all over the Phillies, the Phils need to bounce right back against them. With Kyle Kendrick on the mound, they will want to support him early and often. Meanwhile, the Phillies cannot spend time scoreboard watching, as they control their own destiny. Four more wins gets them into the post season again, so they need to focus and get one of those wins tonight.

Phillies Recap: September 25, 2009

Milwaukee Brewers 8, Philadelphia Phillies 4

W - Parra (11-10), L - Lee (7-3), S - Hoffman (36)

Cliff Lee gave up a big first inning and the Phillies were never able to make a full comeback. Lee settled down for a bit and allowed the Phillies to get close, but another big fifth inning befell Lee. Manny Parra pitched well for the Brewers, keeping the Phillies off balance and going deep into the game. By the time all of the scoring was done, the Brewers had won the game by a final of 8-4.

Cliff Lee had a shaky start and a shaky finish to his outing. He did toss six innings to help save the Phillies' pen, but did not have an effective start. The Brewers tagged him for four runs in the first inning to set the tone of the game. Lee gave up seven runs overall, over six innings, while allowing nine hits including two long balls. Lee struck out six on the evening, but it was not the kind of start he was looking for. Brad Lidge pitched an inning in middle relief, allowing an earned run, as it appears that he will no longer be used as the closer for the foreseeable future.

For the Brewers, their offense was the story. But Manny Parra pitched a very solid game, behind the scenes. Parra went seven strong innings, allowing just one earned run on four hits and a walk. He whiffed eight Phillies on the night and earned his 11th win of the season. The game got closer late, but the Brewers' bullpen hung on to lock up the victory. Ryan Howard was the offensive star for the Phillies, driving in three runs.

This was not what the Phillies were looking for. On a night when all of their closest competitors won, it was a big game for them. Cliff Lee had a rocky start and put the team in an immediate hole. The offense, which had been so efficient a night earlier, struggled to get anything going against Parra. For now, their magic number remains at four and they will try to bounce back tomorrow night.

Phillies Preview: September 25, 2009

Philadephia Phillies (89-63) at Milwaukee Brewers (75-78)

8:05pm - Miller Park, Milwaukee, WI

Cliff Lee, LHP (7-2, 2.65) v. Manny Parra, RHP (10-10, 6.42)

The Phillies will send Cliff Lee to the mound against the Brewers' Manny Parra in the second game of the series. Lee is in the midst of an inconsistent stretch for the Phillies and will look to get back in his groove against Milwaukee. Parra will oppose Lee and is a solid pitcher in the middle of a terrible season. Despite racking up ten wins, Parra has a very high ERA and has struggled of late. However, he is still fully capable of dominating an opponent. The Phillies will need Cliff Lee to be strong in this game, and carry them to another victory.

Cliff Lee has pitched better of late, but has still not been as dominant as he was in his first five starts as a Phillie. He will look to work himself into playoff shape tonight as he takes on a team that has not seen very much of, in the Brewers. For his career, Lee has decent numbers against them. As usual, the key for Lee will be to use all of his pitches effectively and hit his spots early. If he can do that, he should be able to keep an aggressive Brewers lineup off balance and off the score board.

The Brewers will be sending Manny Parra to the mound tonight. Parra was once a bright young pitching star in the making. However, he has struggled through one of his worst seasons as a professional. Despite his bad numbers this season, he is still a very capable pitcher and the Phillies would be wise to take this opponent seriously. They will want to be patient with the often wild Parra, and if possible, build up his pitch count to get into the Brewers' pen early.

After a big win last night, the Phillies will want to build some momentum behind their co-ace, Cliff Lee. As Lee looks to get on track for his first playoffs, the Phillies offense will try to continue their recent success. With just over a week left in the season, now is the time for the Phillies to gain some confidence and synergy for bigger things in October.

Phillies Recap: September 24, 2009

Philadelphia Phillies 9, Milwaukee Brewers 4

W - Happ (11-4), L - Suppan (7-11)

The Phillies scored early to provide Jay Happ a lead to pitch with. Then, later in the game, the exploded for a six-run fifth inning which knocked Jeff Suppan out of the game. Although they did allow a few late runs, the Phillies already had enough cushion for an easy win over the Brewers by a score of 9-4.

Jay Happ looked good and more importantly healthy for the Phillies. He didn't get as deep as the Phillies would have hoped, but he was the beneficiary of a lot of run support, which led to his 11th victory of the season. On the night, Happ went 5.2 innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits and two walks. More encouraging were Happ's seven punch outs of Brewers' hitters. The Phillies bullpen came in and shut down the game, though it did allow two late runs to score.

The Phillies offense looked like it was ready to explode and it finally did tonight. With a tight game against Jeff Suppan, the Phils got to work in the fifth inning when they rallied for six runs. The inning was keynoted by Jimmy Rollins, who cranked a three-run homer, his 20th of the year. Suppan was lifted after 4.1 innings, allowing seven earned runs on 12 hits and a pair of walks. The Brewers' relievers did a good job keeping the Phillies from doing too much more damage after that, but it was all in vain.

This was exactly what this Phillies ball club needed. It was an easy win and one more step towards the post season. The performance by Happ was encouraging and the offense took care of business tonight. The Phillies won their 89th game of the season and drop their magic number down to an even four. A few more performances like this will get them to their third straight division title.

Phillies Preview: September 24, 2009

Philadephia Phillies (88-63) at Milwaukee Brewers (75-77)
8:05pm - Miller Park, Milwaukee, WI

J.A. Happ, LHP (10-4, 2.77) v. Jeff Suppan, RHP (7-10, 4.76)

The opener of the four game set will mark the second game back in the starting rotation for Jay Happ. Happ was lifted early from his last start as a precautionary measure, after he missed over two weeks with an oblique injury. Happ will look to continue his stellar rookie campaign against Jeff Suppan of the Brewers. Suppan has had a mediocre season, with rather average numbers to show for it. The Phillies will want to jump on him early and give Happ a cushion.

Jay Happ will get the starting nod for the Phillies, and will look to go deeper into the game. Coming off of a minor injury, the Phillies have been very careful with Happ, since he has been so critical to their success. Happ has limited action against the Brewers' lineup but has been solid on the road all season. He will need to keep his fast ball down and build off of it in order to have success.

The Phillies will be facing the veteran, Jeff Suppan, of the Brewers. Suppan was the losing pitcher in last season's clinching NLDS game for the Phillies. They will try to extend their success against a pitcher whom they have seen a lot of over the years. For his career, Suppan has not fared well against Phillies hitters, as they have a high batting average and have hit several homers off of him. The Phils will want to continue this trend tonight in support of Happ.

Coming off of back-to-back bad losses to the Marlins, the Phillies need to come out of the gate swinging tonight. They are so close to locking up the division with their magic number at five. A solid showing tonight moves them that much closer to another playoff appearance. They will need a good start from Happ and offensive production.

Phillies Preview: Brewers Series 9/24 - 9/27

Philadephia Phillies (88-63) at Milwaukee Brewers (75-77)
September 24 - September 27

The Philadelphia Phillies will conclude their long road trip with a four game series in Milwaukee against the Brewers. The Phillies will play their final regular season road games this weekend and look to move closer to clinching their third straight division title. Meanwhile, the Brewers are out of the playoff race and will try to play spoilers, a year after they reached the post season. It will be an interesting series, as the Phillies can technically clinch the NL East as early as Saturday.

September 24, 2009

8:05pm - Miller Park, Milwaukee, WI

J.A. Happ, LHP (10-4, 2.77) v. Jeff Suppan, RHP (7-10, 4.76)

The opener of the four game set will mark the second game back in the starting rotation for Jay Happ. Happ was lifted early from his last start as a precautionary measure, after he missed over two weeks with an oblique injury. Happ will look to continue his stellar rookie campaign against Jeff Suppan of the Brewers. Suppan has had a mediocre season, with rather average numbers to show for it. The Phillies will want to jump on him early and give Happ a cushion.

Pitching Primer: J.A. Happ - n/a

Pitching Primer: Jeff Suppan - n/a

September 25, 2009

8:05pm - Miller Park, Milwaukee, WI

Cliff Lee, LHP (7-2, 2.65) v. Manny Parra, RHP (10-10, 6.42)

The Phillies will send Cliff Lee to the mound against the Brewers' Manny Parra in the second game of the series. Lee is in the midst of an inconsistent stretch for the Phillies and will look to get back in his groove against Milwaukee. Parra will oppose Lee and is a solid pitcher in the middle of a terrible season. Despite racking up ten wins, Parra has a very high ERA and has struggled of late. However, he is still fully capable of dominating an opponent. The Phillies will need Cliff Lee to be strong in this game, and carry them to another victory.

Pitching Primer: Cliff Lee - n/a

Pitching Primer: Manny Parra - n/a

September 26, 2009

7:05pm - Miller Park, Milwaukee, WI

Kyle Kendrick, RHP (2-1, 2.70) v. Braden Looper, RHP (13-7, 5.12)

With the Phillies not wanting to risk Pedro Martinez's health at this point in the season, Kyle Kendrick will make another spot start. Thus far as a starter down the stretch, Kendrick has pitched extremely well, in clutch situations. The Phillies will look for another quality outing from the young right in Milwaukee. Braden Looper, the veteran righty will face off with the Phillies and Kendrick. Looper, the one-time reliever, is having an average season, despite a good record. He has the highest run support in the National League, and the Phillies will need to get to him early, before he can pitch with a lead.

Pitching Primer: Kyle Kendrick

2009 Road Splits: (1-0) 2 G, 6.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 1 K

Career at Miller Park: (0-1) 1 G, 7.0 IP, 2.57 ERA, 2 K

Career vs. Brewers Hitters: 36 PA, .333 BA, 0 HR, 3 K

Pitching Primer: Braden Looper

2009 Home Splits: (4-4) 17 G, 100.1 IP, 5.02 ERA, 59 K

Career at Miller Park: (4-8) 29 G, 126.0 IP, 5.43 ERA, 69 K

Career vs. Phillies Hitters: 130 PA, .237 BA, 7 HR, 20 K

September 27, 2009

2:05pm - Miller Park, Milwaukee, WI

Joe Blanton, RHP (11-7, 3.82) v. Dave Bush, RHP (5-8, 6.22)

The finale of the four game set will feature Joe Blanton of the Phillies and Dave Bush of the Brewers. Blanton has been the Phillies most consistent starter and always gives them a chance to win. He has been especially good lately and if the Phillies can get him a lead, he should go deep into the game. Dave Bush, the struggling righty, will toe the rubber for the Brewers. Despite having a poor record and stats this season, Bush always seems to give the Phillies trouble. Earlier this season, Bush nearly no-hit the Phillies, so they cannot take this opponent lightly.

Pitching Primer: Joe Blanton

2009 Road Splits: (4-4) 18 G, 84.2 IP, 4.15 ERA, 72 K

Career at Miller Park: n/a

Career vs. Brewers Hitters: 80 PA, .333 BA, 3 HR, 10 K

Pitching Primer: Dave Bush

2009 Home Splits: (1-4) 10 G, 54.1 IP, 5.63 ERA, 46 K

Career at Miller Park: (24-18) 60 G, 373.1 IP, 4.03 ERA, 275 K

Career vs. Phillies Hitters: 165 PA, .243 BA, 9 HR, 27 K

Phillies Recap: September 23, 2009

Florida Marlins 7, Philadelphia Phillies 6

W - Meyer (3-1), L - Lidge (0-8)

The Phillies built a lead in the finale of the three-game set with the Fish, but the bullpen was unable to hold on. Behind the strength of Cole Hamels' start and Ryan Howard's four RBI, the Phillies led late in the game. But out of the pen, the Phillies gave up three runs, including the game-winning runs off of Brad Lidge. In the end, the Marlins had a walk-off win by the final of 7-6.

Cole Hamels pitched well and kept the Phillies in the game, as they built their lead. He did get touched up a bit for some runs, but left with the lead. Hamels went seven innings, allowing four earned runs on eight hits, including two long balls. He did strike out four but failed to pick up his 11th win of the season. Brad Lidge was called on to hold a one-run lead and gave up a ninth inning rally for his 11th blown save of the season.

For the Marlins, their young hurler, Rick VandenHurk started shaky but settled in nicely to keep the Marlins in the game. The Phillies had chances to blow the game wide open, but did not execute well on offense early. Ryan Howard drove in four runs, though, including his 42nd home run of the season. VandenHurk went six innings, allowing four earned runs on seven hits and a walk. He fanned five Phillies. The Marlin bullpen gave up just a couple of runs, but locked down the win.

This was another infuriating loss for the Phillies. They are on the doorstep of another playoff berth but have stumbled of late. The NL East race still seems comfortable for the defending champs, but the play of the bullpen has been horrifying. With the closer's role up in the air, the Phillies really need to get strong starts and solid offensive performances down the stretch.

Phillies Preview: September 23, 2009

Philadelphia Phillies (88-62) at Florida Marlins (81-71)

7:10pm - Land Shark Stadium, Miami, FL

Cole Hamels, LHP (10-9, 4.07) v. Rick VandenHurk, RHP (2-2, 4.24)

Cole Hamels gets the start for the Phillies in the finale of the three game set with the Marlins. He will be opposed by the Marlins' Rick VandenHurk, the righty. Hamels has started to really turn it on of late, and will try to continue his success as the Phillies move closer to the post season. VandenHurk is a young righty who's been mediocre thus far, but will try to give the Marlins a chance against the Phils. This game will be on national television on ESPN and is a huge game for both teams.

As the Phillies pull close enough to the playoffs to begin setting their rotation, one pitcher they hope they can slate in for game one will be Cole Hamels. Lately, Hamels has begun to embody the pitcher that led them to a championship last season. The Phils hope for continued success from their southpaw ace against the Fish tonight. Hamels has been filthy against them in his career, allowing a .231 batting average against in 204 plate appearances. As always, everything revolves around his fastball. If he can command it, then he will have more success against Florida.

The Marlins will send the young, unproven Rick VandenHurk to the mound against the Phillies. The righty has limited big league experience but will be starting one of the biggest games of his career. Lifetime against the Phillies, he has held them to a .250 batting average in just 28 plate appearances. With the Phils not having much exposure to this young gun, they will want to be especially patient early in the game. If they can get a good look at him, they will have a chance to put a lot of runs on the boards.

The national stage is not foreign to the Phillies. They will look to basically end the Marlins' division hopes with a win tonight. Cole Hamels can lead this team back into the playoffs and gain some much-needed confidence for himself in the game. If the Phillies offense comes back strong, they will propel the team to its eighth win in the last ten games and reduce the magic number to four.

Phillies Recap: September 22, 2009 - Game Two

Florida Marlins 3, Philadelphia Phillies 0

W - Sanchez (3-7), L - Moyer (12-10), S - Nunez (24)

After a strong offensive performance in game one, the Phillies seemed to leave their bats in the club house for game two. They managed just two hits off of the Marlins' Anibal Sanchez and never really threatened to score. Jamie Moyer did an okay job for the Phils, but surrendered a pair of solo homers and took his first career loss in Florida. The Phillies dropped the night cap by a final of 3-0.

Jamie Moyer fought a high pitch count and little run support to keep the Phillies in the game. However, he struggled a bit with location and allowed a pair of solo homers and another run. On the night, Moyer did save the bullpen a bit, as he went seven innings, allowing nine hits and a walk, while striking out five. However, it was a wasted effort, as the Phillies failed to support their veteran lefty with any runs.

The Phillies offense fell asleep in this one and made Anibal Sanchez look more dominant than he really is. To his credit though, Sanchez pitched a solid game, allowing just a pair of hits to Chase Utley and not much else. There were few hard hit balls, and the Phillies seemed anxious at the dish. Sanchez went eight great innings, allowing two walks to go along with Utley's hits and fanned seven Phillies. The Marlins closed out the game, holding the Phils scoreless and earning a split in the double header.

The first game was such a promising performance for the Phillies, and it was disappointing to see them come out flat in the evening affair. Nevertheless, the Phils lowered their magic number on the day, and moved just a bit closer to the playoffs. Moyer was good, but not great, but was not the cause of the loss. The two teams will square off again, one last time in Florida, tomorrow evening in the rubber match of the series.

Phillies Preview: September 22, 2009 - Game Two

Philadelphia Phillies (88-61) at Florida Marlins (80-71)

8:10pm - Land Shark Stadium, Miami FL

Jamie Moyer, LHP (12-9, 5.05) v. Anibal Sanchez, RHP (2-7, 4.50)

The second game of this double-header will take place immediately following the first. Both teams will need to keep their bullpens in tact, with the starting pitching situation much less certain for this game. The Phillies will put Jamie Moyer on the hill to make another spot start. In his recent action, Moyer has been much more effective lately. He will take on the wild and inconsistent Anibal Sanchez. Sanchez is the owner of a career no-hitter, but has struggled to find a groove in the big leagues since then. The Phillies will need to bring a lot of energy to the back-end of this twin billing.

With the back end of the Phillies rotation in a state of uncertainty, Jamie Moyer might be able to pitch his way back into a starting role. He will look to make his case against a team that he has dominated in his career, the Marlins. Moyer is an amazing 8-0 with a 1.37 ERA in eight starts in Miami in his career. Current Marlins hitters are batting just .249 in 294 lifetime plate appearances against Moyer. For Jamie, the name of the game is command, as hitting his spots is always more important than his velocity.

The Marlins will counter in the back end of this double header with Anibal Sanchez. Sanchez, a few years removed from a no-hitter, is a solid prospect who has hit some bumps in the road. His statistics this season are weak, but he still has the ability to get big league hitters out at any time. For his career against the Phillies, he has allowed a .328 batting average to current hitters in 77 plate appearances. The Phillies will need to attack Sanchez before he settles in, to secure a lead for Moyer.

The Phillies, after winning game one, can really put the Marlins in a hole with a win tonight. With their magic number down to five, the Phillies are moving ever-so-close to the division crown and show no signs of wanting to wait longer than they have to for it. With Jamie Moyer on the mound against one of his favorite opponents, the Phillies have to like their chances if their offense can produce the way it did in game one.

Phillies Recap: September 22, 2009 - Game One

Philadelphia Phillies 9, Florida Marlins 3

W - Blanton (11-7), L - Johnson (15-5)

The Phillies came out to play this afternoon and put together a lead on one of the league's best pitchers. After scoring four runs off of the Marlins' Josh Johnson, they had knocked him out of the game. Joe Blanton pitched a masterpiece for the Phillies, who added to their lead in support of Blanton, and took game one of the double header by a score of 9-3.

Joe Blanton turned in the performance that the Phillies were looking for, as he shut down the Marlin offense. Blanton went seven strong innings on the afternoon, allowing just two hits and two walks, while striking out nine. Blanton did not allow any runs. He was in complete control the entire game and the Marlins rarely threatened him. After exiting the game, the Phillies' bullpen decided to make the game a little more interesting, allowing a late rally, but they held on to close out the game.

For the Marlins, this was not what they hoped for from Josh Johnson. Despite being a strike out machine once again, he gave up a number of hits in big situations that led to his demise. The Phillies also worked his pitch count well. On the day, Johnson only lasted five innings, giving up four earned runs while striking out ten. The Phillies real damage came in the top of the eighth inning when they put a five-spot on the board, accented by Raul Ibanez's 32nd homer of the year. Ryan Howard added three RBI on the day, which puts him at 126 for the season.

This was what Phillies fans wanted to see. With a couple of starters getting the afternoon off, the Phillies took care of business against the ace, Johnson. Their offense seemed to be firing on all cylinders and they put up a high run total without relying on the long ball. Their base running was impeccable and they got the win to lower their magic number to 5. They will look to carry the momentum into game two tonight and sweep their second double header of the month.

Phillies Preview: September 22, 2009 - Game One

Philadelphia Phillies (87-61) at Florida Marlins (80-70)
4:10pm - Land Shark Stadium, Miami, FL

Joe Blanton, RHP (10-7, 3.97) v. Josh Johnson, RHP (15-4, 3.01)

In the first game of a back-to-back double header, the Phillies will send steady Joe Blanton to the mound to take on Josh Johnson of the Marlins. Blanton has been consistent this season, and will need another strong performance against the Fish. They will counter with their ace, Johnson, who was been dominant all season, including against the Phillies. This will be a tough test, right off the bat for the Phillies, as the two teams play on the field less than 24 hours after the Monday Night Football game.

The Phillies will need Blanton to go deep into this afternoon's game. He has been steady and will try to get the Phils off to a strong start in Miami. Blanton does have decent numbers against the Marlins in his career, holding them to a .257 batting average against in 121 plate appearances. The key for Blanton will be to get off to a strong start and keep the Phillies close as they battle a tough starter. If Blanton can keep his pitches down and rely on his defense, he should have success.

Blanton will be opposed by Marlins' ace Josh Johnson. Johnson, the righty, has been dominant this year, especially against the Phillies, who have struggled to figure him out. He is a strike out pitcher with a live arm, which is all set up by his fast ball. For their collective careers, current Phillies are batting just .248 in 144 plate appearances. The Phillies will want to be patient and not get themselves out against Johnson. However, they must be ready to attack as the hittable pitches will be few and far between.

Facing their division-rival's ace in the opener of a pivotal series with major playoff implications is a tough task for the Phillies and Joe Blanton. However, if they aim to prove that they belong, they will need to make a statement against the Marlins. A win can propel them through the series against the Fish, taking pressure off the team, while inching them even closer to their third consecutive NL East title.

Phillies Preview: Marlins Series 9/22 - 9/23

Philadelphia Phillies (87-61) at Florida Marlins (80-70)

September 22 - September 23

As the end of the season approaches, every game matters. Division games are magnified in importance, which will make the Philadelphia Phillies' series in Florida this week a huge one. The Phillies ride into town riding high, winners of eight of their last 10 games. They have their magic number down to six and will look to put the dagger through the Florida Marlins' hearts for 2009. However, nothing is ever easy, as the Marlins will toss some strong pitching against the Phils and try to stave off elimination for at least another week. A good showing by the Phillies, though, will place them at the doorstep of their third consecutive NL East crown.

September 22, 2009 - Game One

4:10pm - Land Shark Stadium, Miami, FL

Joe Blanton, RHP (10-7, 3.97) v. Josh Johnson, RHP (15-4, 3.01)

In the first game of a back-to-back double header, the Phillies will send steady Joe Blanton to the mound to take on Josh Johnson of the Marlins. Blanton has been consistent this season, and will need another strong performance against the Fish. They will counter with their ace, Johnson, who was been dominant all season, including against the Phillies. This will be a tough test, right off the bat for the Phillies, as the two teams play on the field less than 24 hours after the Monday Night Football game.

Pitching Primer: Joe Blanton

2009 Road Splits: (3-4) 13 G, 77.2 IP, 4.52 ERA, 63 K

Career at Land Shark Stadium: (1-0) 1 G, 5.0 IP, 3.60 ERA, 9 K

Career vs. Marlins Hitters: 121 PA, .257 BA, 3 HR, 28 K

Pitching Primer: Josh Johnson

2009 Home Splits: (7-2) 15 G, 99.1 IP, 2.45 ERA, 98 K

Career at Land Shark Stadium: (16-8) 43 G, 239.2 ERA, 3.45 ERA, 227 K

Career vs. Phillies Hitters: 144 PA, .248 BA, 3 HR, 26 K

September 22, 2009 - Game Two

TBD - Land Shark Stadium, Miami FL

Jamie Moyer, LHP (12-9, 5.05) v. Anibal Sanchez, RHP (2-7, 4.50)

The second game of this double-header will take place immediately following the first. Both teams will need to keep their bullpens in tact, with the starting pitching situation much less certain for this game. The Phillies will put Jamie Moyer on the hill to make another spot start. In his recent action, Moyer has been much more effective lately. He will take on the wild and inconsistent Anibal Sanchez. Sanchez is the owner of a career no-hitter, but has struggled to find a groove in the big leagues since then. The Phillies will need to bring a lot of energy to the back-end of this twin billing.

Pitching Primer: Jamie Moyer

2009 Road Splits: (6-2) 12 G, 67.0 IP, 3.76 ERA, 43 K

Career at Land Shark Stadium: (8-0) 8 G, 52.2 IP, 1.37 ERA, 30 K

Career vs. Marlins Hitters: 294 PA, .249 BA, 8 HR, 48 K

Pitching Primer: Anibal Sanchez

2009 Home Splits: (0-3) 6 G, 26.0 IP, 4.15 ERA, 21 K

Career at Land Shark Stadium: (10-6) 23 G, 129.0 IP, 3.49 ERA, 106 K

Career vs. Phillies Hitters: 77 PA, .328 BA, 2 HR, 14 K

September 23, 2009

7:10pm - Land Shark Stadium, Miami, FL

Cole Hamels, LHP (10-9, 4.07) v. Rick VandenHurk, RHP (2-2, 4.24)

Cole Hamels gets the start for the Phillies in the finale of the three game set with the Marlins. He will be opposed by the Marlins' Rick VandenHurk, the righty. Hamels has started to really turn it on of late, and will try to continue his success as the Phillies move closer to the post season. VandenHurk is a young righty who's been mediocre thus far, but will try to give the Marlins a chance against the Phils. This game will be on national television on ESPN and represents the earliest mathematical date that the Phillies can clinch the division. However, a lot has to happen before they can celebrate a division title.

Pitching Primer: Cole Hamels

2009 Road Splits: (3-6) 14 G, 81.1 IP, 4.98 ERA, 61 K

Career at Land Shark Stadium: (0-2) 5 G, 31.0 IP, 3.48 ERA, 36 K

Career vs. Marlins Hitters: 204 PA, .231 BA, 9 HR, 52 K

Pitching Primer: Rick VandenHurk

2009 Home Splits: (1-1) 4 G, 21.2 IP, 4.98 ERA, 25 K

Career at Land Shark Stadium: (3-5) 16 G, 72.2 IP, 5.94 ERA, 85 K

Career vs. Phillies Hitters: 28 PA, .250 BA, 1 HR, 6 K

Phillies Recap: September 20, 2009

Philadelphia Phillies 4, Atlanta Braves 2

W - Walker (2-0), L - Hanson (10-4), S - Lidge (31)

Watching the Phillies every day, it's easy to lose sight of a simple fact: they are a really, really good team. Cliff Lee pitched well but had his outing cut short by a rain delay in the fifth inning, and he did not qualify for the win. But the Phillies did a great job of scoring organic runs against Braves' rookie Tommy Hanson. After the rain delay, the Phils held off the Braves to win the series with a final score of 4-2.

It was the third straight game in which the Phillies' starter didn't make it through five innings. With a double-header coming on Tuesday, the bullpen will get a much needed day off tomorrow. But today, they picked up Cliff Lee and helped the Phillies win the ball game. Lee went four innings, allowing one earned run on five hits and struck out two. But the Phillies' pen came in and tossed five solid innings, fanning nine batters and allowing just one earned run. Brad Lidge pitched well again, despite allowing an earned run, to record his 31st save in 41 opportunities.

Tommy Hanson pitched well early for the Braves, tallying several strike outs. However, his pitch count escalated quickly and the Phillies hit some balls hard in the gaps against him. Though he did not allow a homer, he left after five innings, having allowed four earned runs on seven hits and four walks. Hanson did strike out seven, but the damage had been done. Shane Victorino was thrown out of the game in the first inning, on a disputed strike out double play. The Braves' piece-meal bullpen came in to keep the Phils off the score board, in a nice effort.

What a bounce-back win for the Phillies. Their offense was solid all series, scoring 17 runs and not relying too heavily on the long ball. They won the series from the Braves, though they still finished 2009 with a losing record against Atlanta. More importantly, the Phillies push their magic number to six as they prepare to play three in Florida this week. This weekend all but eliminated the Braves from playoff contention, and once again proves that the Phillies are the class of the National League.

Phillies Preview: September 20, 2009

Philadelphia Phillies (86-61) at Atlanta Braves (79-69)

1:30pm - Turner Field, Atlanta, GA

Cliff Lee, LHP (14-11, 3.00) v. Tommy Hanson, RHP (10-3, 2.65)

The final game of this divisional series will feature the Phillies' co-ace Cliff Lee against the rookie phenom, Tommy Hanson. Lee hit a rough patch with the Phils but has bounced back after several poor starts. He will have a chance to avenge one of those poor outings as he faces the Braves for the second time this season. Meanwhile, Tommy Hanson has put up very similar numbers to Jay Happ this season. However, he has a full arsenal of pitches that help make him a prolific strikeout pitcher. Needless to say, this lines up to be the third pitcher's duel of the series.

Cliff Lee will look for some revenge against the Braves, who touched him up for several home runs in their first meeting this season. Lee has since rebounded from a tough stretch with the Phillies, tossing a complete game shut out in his last start. As a result of that poor performance, current Braves are doing well against Lee with a .350 batting average in 83 career plate appearances. Lee will need to have his full arsenal working this afternoon and try to keep his pitch count down against a solid Braves order.

For the Braves, Tommy Hanson will get his second shot at the Phillies this season. The star rookie had a rain-shortened start for the Braves in Philadelphia earlies this season. Hanson is having a great initial campaign, with a high strike out total. Current Phillies have only eight career plate appearances against Hanson and are batting .250 with a homer in that limited action. They will need to be very patient and get Hanson's pitch count up in this game. They must avoid too many strike outs and force the rookie to earn his outs in the field.

The Phillies will try to bounce back this afternoon, against the Braves and win the series. They have their co-ace, Cliff Lee on the mound and their offense has been showing more signs of life lately. If they can match the Braves' intensity this afternoon, they should have some success. With a win, they will lower their magic number to seven as they prepare to head to Florida this week.

The Most Prolific Run-Producer Today

Ryan Howard has been called many things in his career. In 2005, he was called the Rookie of the Year. In 2006, it was the Most Valuable Player. Over his big league career, which has only spanned about four and a half full seasons, Howard has also been a player of the month, an All-Star, a Silver Slugger, a Home Run Champion, a Hank Aaron award winner, a Home Run Derby Champion, and a World Champion. He has been producing runs and homering at a prolific rate. And there's no end in sight.

For his career, Howard has already eclipsed the 200 home run and 600 RBI marks. He was the fastest to 200 long balls, and the fastest since a guy named Ted Williams to 600 RBI. Howard owns the Phillies' single-season record for home runs, annihilating Mike Schmidt's previous record of 48. Credit smaller ball parks and juicier balls that play to the modern-day fan's desire to see majestic home runs, but Ryan Howard could hit any ball out of any park, just about any time he wants to. At a tender age of 29, Howard could conceivably have another six to eight years of continued production at this rate.

Let's take a look at Howard through his first six seasons, through action on September 19th:

2004: 42 PA, 2 HR, 5 RBI, .282 BA, .564 SLG

2005: 348 PA, 22 HR, 63 RBI, .288 BA, .567 SLG

2006: 704 PA, 58 HR, 149 RBI, .313 BA, .659 SLG

2007: 648 PA, 47 HR, 136 RBI, .268 BA, .584 SLG

2008: 700 PA, 48 HR, 146 RBI, .251 BA, .543 SLG

2009: 641 PA, 41 HR, 123 RBI, .271 BA, .564 SLG

For a player who made his major league debut at the age of 24, and didn't begin playing regularly until he was almost 26, we can only wonder what Howard's production could have been, had he been promoted earlier. Here is his career averages for a 162 game season:

162 Game Avg.: 696 PA, 49 HR, 140 RBI, .277 BA, .585 SLG

Those numbers are enough to have Howard in an MVP conversation every single year. And for the past four seasons, Howard has found himself in the top 10 in voting for the MVP. But extrapolate those numbers over the next few years, and you will start to see the truly stunning numbers. For argument's sake, let's be conservative and assume that after 2009, Howard maintains this production for six more seasons. If Ryan Howard can stay healthy and do that, he projects to reach 517 home runs and 1,475 runs batted in by the end of the 2015 season. With those numbers, he has to at least be in the conversation for the Hall of Fame.

Howard recently joined Sammy Sosa and Ken Griffey, Jr., two players synonymous with power with the second-longest string of 40-homer, 120-RBI seasons. A guy named Babe Ruth put together seven straight seasons of the kind. But with the way Howard is going, it is not unreasonable that he can duplicate a 40/120 season for four more years and break the Babe's record. Howard is also the second Phillie to record four straight 30-homer, 100-RBI seasons, after Chuck Klein did it nearly 80 years ago. He sits sixth on the Phillies' all-time home run list, and projects to catapult into second place in just one more season.

For now, however, Howard is not thinking about the Hall of Fame or 500 home runs. Right now, it's all about winning, which makes his feats that much more incredible. Howard has produced these numbers on a winning team, that is consistently in playoff and championship contention. There is no harder place to play, than in front of the passionate Philadelphia fans. And Ryan has handled it all with a gentle class that is rarely seen from prima donna athletes, especially power hitters. Right now, Howard is the most prolific run-producer in baseball. If he keeps it up, he has a chance to become a legendary run-producing icon.

Phillies Recap: September 19, 2009

Atlanta Braves 6, Philadelphia Phillies 4

W - Vazquez (14-9), L - Martinez (5-1)

The Philadelphia Phillies came out flat tonight. Pedro Martinez never got into a groove and struggled with his command, in his shortest outing that wasn't interrupted by rain. The Braves did a good job tacking on runs in support of Javier Vazquez and they managed to hold off a late-game surge by the Phillies. In the end, the Braves defeated the Phillies and ended their winning streak by a final of 6-4.

For Pedro Martinez, this was not the start he was looking for, after dominating in his last start. He went just three innings, as he battled inconsistency and control issues. The Braves tagged him for three earned runs on seven hits, many of which came with two strikes. However, the Phillies' bullpen was not much better. Chad Durbin came in and allowed the game to get out of hand, as the Braves scored three more runs and put the game out of reach. Unfortunately, for a staff that has been so strong lately, this was not the pitching performance the Phillies were looking for.

The Braves shut down the Phillies' offense for the most of the night, thanks to a strong performance by Javier Vazquez. Vazquez kept the Phillies off balance and off the base paths for seven strong innings. He allowed three hits and three walks, while striking out six. The Phillies didn't score until the ninth inning, when they put four runs on the board and nearly tied the game. Ryan Howard homered again, his 41st on the season, but in the end, it was not enough to dig out of their hole.

This was a tough game for the Phillies. They got nothing going against Vazquez and were out-pitched badly. Their offense showed some heart late with the rally, but they came up short. Their magic number remains at eight, as they lose ground in the division and in pursuit of the best record in the National League. Tomorrow, they will need to bounce back and win the series against a hungry Braves team.

Phillies Preview: September 19, 2009

Philadelphia Phillies (86-60) at Atlanta Braves (78-69)
7:00pm - Turner Field, Atlanta, GA

Pedro Martinez, RHP (5-0, 2.87) v. Javier Vazquez, RHP (13-9, 3.01)

Pedro Martinez will make the start for the Phillies in the sandwich game against the Braves and Javier Vazquez. Martinez is coming off his most dazzling start of the season in which he went eight shut out innings. However, Pedro has been solid all year for the Phils, as they have won all seven of his starts thus far. Vazquez is also a quality pitcher who always tallies a high strikeout total. This will be yet another battle of the pitchers, as the Phillies and Braves toss quality starters against each other.

For the Phillies, Pedro Martinez will make his eighth start of the season. He will try to extend his success from his previous outing, in which he went eight shut out innings against the New York Mets. Martinez has a lot of experience against the Braves line up, and has had success. In 206 career plate appearances, current Braves hitters are batting just .193. Coming off a long outing, it will be interesting to see how he responds. He will need to keep his ball down and velocity up in order to handle a decent Braves order.

Javier Vazquez, the Braves' righty, will take the mound against Pedro and the Phillies tonight. Vazquez is a solid pitcher who can get a strike out anytime he needs one. For his career against Phillies' hitters, Vazquez has held them to a .218 batting average in 283 plate appearances. The Phillies will need to work his pitch count and take advantage of Vazquez's tendency to lose focus at time. It will be a real challenge, though, as Vazquez has enjoyed his time back in the National League this season.

With their magic number at eight, the Phillies can take another chunk out of it tonight. They will face a playoff-caliber pitcher and a team that is hungry to stay in the race. They will need to match the Braves' intensity and execution in this game. Behind Martinez, the Phillies have played to a 7-0 record and will try to extend that success.

Phillies Recap: September 18, 2009

Philadelphia Phillies 9, Atlanta Braves 4

W - Kendrick (2-1), L - Hudson (1-1)

The Phillies battled injuries and a tough Braves team to find a way to win their 86th game of the season. Jay Happ went three innings before being lifted as a precautionary measure. Kyle Kendrick came on in long relief and really helped the Phillies' bullpen. Carlos Ruiz also suffered a sprained wrist on a play at the plate. For the Braves, Tim Hudson was solid but was hurt by his nemesis, Ryan Howard's two homers. When all the scoring was done, the Phillies found themselves on the right side of a 9-4 decision.

Happ came back and showed signs of his mid-season form, but struggled with his command at times. In his three innings, he allowed just a solo homer and scattered five hits in all. The real story for the pitching, though, was Kyle Kendrick who came in for long relief and delivered four blank innings. It was another promising performance for the once-outed right-hander. The Phillies bullpen was mostly saved and finished off the game, once it was out of reach.

On offense, the story tonight was the long ball. Ryan Howard punished Tim Hudson once again with another pair of homers off the righty. Hudson went seven solid innings, though, allowing three earned runs on six hits and a walk. However, once the Phillies got into the Braves' pen, they unleashed their offense. Jimmy Rollins delivered the keynote with a three-run shot in the ninth that put the game out of reach for good. Ben Francisco put in a solid night's work with three hits including a homer of his own.

This was a bittersweet win for the Phillies. It was an important one in the standings, but costly for the roster. It is unclear the extent of the injuries to Happ and Ruiz, but both situations are certainly concerning. The catching depth on the Phillies' roster is minimal, so if Ruiz is out for an extended period of time, the Phils will be essentially crippled at that position. For now, the Phillies can take some pleasure in their win, as they move to 26 games over .500 and drop their magic number to eight.

Phillies Preview: September 18, 2009

Philadelphia Phillies (85-60) at Atlanta Braves (78-68)

7:30pm - Turner Field, Atlanta, GA

J.A. Happ, LHP (10-4, 2.77) v. Tim Hudson, RHP (1-0, 3.63)

In the opener of this three game series, the Phillies will send Jay Happ to the mound to face off against Tim Hudson. Happ is returning from an oblique injury which has caused him to miss his last several starts. He will look to continue his brilliant rookie season against a team that he has dominated in his career. For the Braves, Tim Hudson will get the start after missing most of this season recovering from Tommy John surgery. Hudson is a top-line pitcher and this game promises to be a real pitching-intensive match up.

Tonight will be the much-awaited return of Jay Happ. After injuring his oblique muscle in batting practice, Happ missed his last several starts. With great career numbers against the Braves and on the road, this game seems like the perfect time for him to return. Current Braves hitters are a combined .139 off of Happ in 94 career plate appearances. Happ will look to continue his dominance against Atlanta. He will need to keep his pitches down and only elevate with purpose.

The Braves will send their recovering ace to the mound in Tim Hudson. Coming off of a substantially bigger injury than Happ's, Hudson will make another start after returning from Tommy John surgery. The Phillies will look to greet him with some offense, as they are batting a combined .269 in 338 plate appearances for their careers. The Phils will try to exploit his pitch count and put together some scoring rallies in support of Happ.

A win in the game this evening can set the tone for the series for the Phillies. As they look to close out the NL East, they can put more distance between them and the now second-place Braves. With Happ returning to the hill, the Phillies will look to their offense to pick up the slack and keep the Braves from closing the gap in the division.

Phillies Preview: Braves Series 9/18 - 9/20

Philadelphia Phillies (85-60) at Atlanta Braves (78-68)

September 18 - September 20

The Philadelphia Phillies with travel to Atlanta to take on the division-rival Braves. The Phillies are coming off of a strong home stand, which they finished with a five-game flourish that put their magic number at 10. The Braves, meanwhile, have been fighting the weather for a chance to get back in the playoff hunt. Though the Braves are likely too far behind the Phillies at this point, this will be a huge series for both teams. The will undoubtedly be a playoff atmosphere at Turner Field and the Phillies can put a strangle-hold on the NL East with a good showing.

September 18, 2009

7:30pm - Turner Field, Atlanta, GA

J.A. Happ, LHP (10-4, 2.77) v. Tim Hudson, RHP (1-0, 3.63)

In the opener of this three game series, the Phillies will send Jay Happ to the mound to face off against Tim Hudson. Happ is returning from an oblique injury which has caused him to miss his last several starts. He will look to continue his brilliant rookie season against a team that he has dominated in his career. For the Braves, Tim Hudson will get the start after missing most of this season recovering from Tommy John surgery. Hudson is a top-line pitcher and this game promises to be a real pitching-intensive match up.

Pitching Primer: J.A. Happ

2009 Road Splits: (6-2) 16 G, 86.1 IP, 1.88 ERA, 50 K

Career at Turner Field: (2-0) 3 G, 20.2 IP, 1.31 ERA, 10 K

Career vs. Braves Hitters: 94 PA, .139 BA, 2 HR, 12 K

Pitching Primer: Tim Hudson

2009 Home Splits: (0-0) 1 G, 7.0 IP, 1.29 ERA, 6 K

Career at Turner Field: (29-17) 61 G, 406.0 IP, 3.55 ERA, 259 K

Career vs. Phillies Hitters: 338 PA, .269 BA, 11 HR, 44 K

September 19, 2009

7:00pm - Turner Field, Atlanta, GA

Pedro Martinez, RHP (5-0, 2.87) v. Javier Vazquez, RHP (13-9, 3.01)

Pedro Martinez will make the start for the Phillies in the sandwich game against the Braves and Javier Vazquez. Martinez is coming off his most dazzling start of the season in which he went eight shut out innings. However, Pedro has been solid all year for the Phils, as they have won all seven of his starts thus far. Vazquez is also a quality pitcher who always tallies a high strikeout total. This will be yet another battle of the pitchers, as the Phillies and Braves toss quality starters against each other.

Pitching Primer: Pedro Martinez

2009 Road Splits: (3-0) 3 G, 17.2 IP, 5.09 ERA, 14 K

Career at Turner Field: (4-5) 9 G, 59.1 IP, 4.70 ERA, 51 K

Career vs. Braves Hitters: 206 PA, .193 BA, 5 HR, 52 K

Pitching Primer: Javier Vazquez

2009 Home Splits: (4-7) 14 G, 94.0 IP, 3.06 ERA, 107 K

Career at Turner Field: (9-11) 25 G, 164.1 IP, 3.23 ERA, 167 K

Career vs. Phillies Hitters: 283 PA, .218 BA, 12 HR, 71 K

September 20, 2009

1:30pm - Turner Field, Atlanta, GA

Cliff Lee, LHP (14-11, 3.00) v. Tommy Hanson, RHP (10-3, 2.65)

The final game of this divisional series will feature the Phillies' co-ace Cliff Lee against the rookie phenom, Tommy Hanson. Lee hit a rough patch with the Phils but has bounced back after several poor starts. He will have a chance to avenge one of those poor outings as he faces the Braves for the second time this season. Meanwhile, Tommy Hanson has put up very similar numbers to Jay Happ this season. However, he has a full arsenal of pitches that help make him a prolific strikeout pitcher. Needless to say, this lines up to be the third pitcher's duel of the series.

Pitching Primer: Cliff Lee

2009 Road Splits: (8-4) 16 G, 111.0 IP, 3.24 ERA, 77 K

Career at Turner Field: (1-0) 1 G, 7.0 IP, 2.57 ERA, 7 K

Career vs. Braves Hitters: 83 PA, .350 BA, 4 HR, 13 K

Pitching Primer: Tommy Hanson

2009 Home Splits: (7-1) 9 G, 57.0 IP, 3.00 ERA, 57 K

Career at Turner Field: (7-1) 9 G, 57.0 IP, 3.00 ERA, 57 K

Career vs. Phillies Hitters: 8 PA, .250 BA, 1 HR, 4 K