7:05pm - Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX
Joe Blanton, RHP (9-6, 3.77) v. Roy Oswalt, RHP (8-5, 3.80)
Joe Blanton will get the start in game two against the Astros' ace, Roy Oswalt. The two righties have similar stats this season, and are very solid starters. Blanton has pitched very well since the middle of this year and will look to limit the Astros against one of the better pitchers in the league. Roy Oswalt has always pitched well against the Phillies and will try to keep their offense shut down.
The Phillies will look to Joe Blanton to continue his success this season and become their second 10-game winner. Blanton has pitched well of late, but has average numbers against current Astros hitters. Those hitters have a .328 batting average in 66 lifetime plate appearances, including two homers. Blanton will need to be aggressive on the right-handed heavy lineup and pitch to both sides of the plate. There will be base runners, but Blanton is capable of pitching through trouble.
Roy Oswalt, the Astros' ace will take the ball against the Phillies tonight. He is not the ideal candidate to help the Phillies break out of their offensive troubles. But they will need to have a solid approach to the veteran righty. That means working the count and getting the top of the order on base against Oswalt. For their careers, current Phillies have a .328 average in 210 plate appearances against Oswalt with six long balls.
Tonight will be interesting to see how the Phillies respond. The bullpen is a little bit over-worked lately, with last night's short outing from Cliff Lee. But the real point of emphasis will be to see how the offense can pick it up in a big way, and provide some much needed run support to the starters. If they can score early and often, the Phillies will make it a lot easier on Joe Blanton.
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