Phillies Preview: Marlins Series 10/2 - 10/4

Florida Marlins (85-74) at Philadelphia Phillies (92-67)

October 2 - October 4

With the season wrapping up, the Philadelphia Phillies will host the Florida Marlins for a three game series. With the Phillies having already clinched the NL East, they are now playing for the best record in the National League. However, expect to see a lot of subs as the Phillies get some rest for their regulars. The Marlins are playing for pride at this point, but would love to put a smudge on the Phillies' divisional crown heading into the playoffs. It should be an exciting series, regardless, with all three games being sold out.

October 2, 2009

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

Rick VandenHurk, RHP (2-2, 4.44) v. Joe Blanton, RHP (12-7, 3.95)

Joe Blanton will take the hill in game one, in what will be his final tune up for the postseason. Coming off a tough start, Blanton will look to straighten himself out and prepare for whatever role the Phillies want him in. Most likely, Blanton will be the Phillies' third or fourth starter, so he may not pitch again for over a week. He will be opposed by the youngster, Rick VandenHurk. The Phillies faced VandenHurk the last time these teams met and got to him for some early runs.

Pitching Primer: Rick VandenHurk

2009 Road Splits: (1-1) 5 G, 25.0 IP, 3.60 ERA, 17 K

Career at Citizens Bank Park: (0-2) 2 G, 6.1 IP, 12.79 ERA, 5 K

Career vs. Phillies Hitters: 56 PA, .265 BA, 2 HR, 11 K

Pitching Primer: Joe Blanton

2009 Home Splits: (7-3) 15 G, 99.0 IP, 3.55 ERA, 84 K

Career at Citizens Bank Park: (9-3) 22 G, 137.0 IP, 3.55 ERA, 106 K

Career vs. Marlins Hitters: 147 PA, .227 BA, 3 HR, 37 K

October 3, 2009

4:05pm - Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA

Anibal Sanchez, RHP (3-8, 4.10) v. Cole Hamels, LHP (10-10, 4.25)

The Phillies have tentatively penciled in Cole Hamels for Saturday's start against the Marlins. They may replace him if they expect him to pitch on Wednesday's playoff opener. However, he could potentially still pitch Thursday on normal rest. He will be opposed by Anibal Sanchez of the Marlins. Sanchez struggled his last time out but shut down the Phillies offense the last time they squared off. If Hamels does get the nod, this will be an exciting, pitcher's duel on National TV.

Pitching Primer: Anibal Sanchez

2009 Road Splits: (2-5) 8 G, 45.0 IP, 4.80 ERA, 40 K

Career at Citizens Bank Park: (0-3) 4 G, 16.0 IP, 10.69 ERA, 10 K

Career vs. Phillies Hitters: 105 PA, .256 BA, 2 HR, 21 K

Pitching Primer: Cole Hamels
2009 Home Splits: (7-4) 16 G, 102.1 IP, 3.61 ERA, 101 K

Career at Citizens Bank Park: (27-16) 55 G, 362.0 IP, 3.38 ERA, 336 K

Career vs. Marlins Hitters: 234 PA, .238 BA, 11 HR, 56 K

October 4, 2009

1:35pm - Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA

Josh Johnson, RHP (15-5, 3.08) v. TBD

The Phillies have yet to announce a starter for Sunday's regular season finale against the Marlins. Whoever gets the start will be opposed by one of the best pitchers in the league, Josh Johnson. Johnson has tremendous ability, but was defeated by the Phillies the last time these teams matched up in Florida. With the Phillies looking to have one final tune up before the playoffs, they may elect to field a nearly-full team.

Pitching Primer: Josh Johnson

2009 Road Splits: (8-2) 16 G, 100.0 IP, 3.51 ERA, 78 K

Career at Citizens Bank Park: (3-0) 4 G, 21.0 IP, 0.86 ERA, 18 K

Career vs. Phillies Hitters: 168 PA, .258 BA, 3 HR, 36 K

Phillies Recap: October 1, 2009

Houston Astros 5, Philadelphia Phillies 3

W - Paulino (3-11), L - Lee (14-13)

The Phillies, as expected, came out flat against the Houston Astros. After a night of celebrating their NL East crown, the Phillies did not muster much on offense against Felipe Paulino, while fielding a partial lineup. Cliff Lee was roughed up a bit early and late in his start, and ultimately took the loss. The Phillies rallied late but fell short by a final score of 5-3.

Cliff Lee had a tough time in the first inning, allowing two quick runs. He went on to settle down nicely, but came apart again in the sixth, allowing two runs again, before being lifted. On the night, he went 5.2 innings and allowed three earned runs. Lee did strike out five but allowed six hits and three walks. The Phillies bullpen got a good deal of work and allowed one run late.

The Astros must have enjoyed what they saw from Felipe Paulino. For five innings, he took care of business against a resting Phillies lineup. Paulino went five strong innings, allowing six hits and a run while fanning five Phillies. The Astros bullpen came in for three strong innings before they made the game interesting. For the Phillies, Ben Francisco had three hits but they did little else on offense.

This was an expected loss, though they had chances to win the game. The Phillies will continue to rest key players and line up their rotation for the playoffs. Though the best record in the National League is at stake, the Phillies will likely focus more on their team needs rather that playoff seedings. The are a game behind the chase for the top record, though.

Phillies Preview: October 1, 2009

Houston Astros (73-85) at Philadelphia Phillies (92-66)
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 Felipe Paulino 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. Felipe Paulino will take the ball for the Astros, and despite his high ERA, still has the capability of shutting down a big league club.

Cliff Lee will take the hill in his final start of the regular season. Coming off of a huge win and night last night, the Phillies will certainly be resting some players tonight. Still, they will want Cliff Lee to pitch well. Lee has been hit around by the Astros in his career, allowing a .333 batting average against in 59 plate appearances. Houston roughed up Lee in a start earlier this season and Lee will try to avenge that loss.

Lee will face Felipe Paulino of the Astros. Paulino, the righty, has struggled through the season. Still, he has the stuff to keep the Phillies off the board. However, the Phillies have never faced him, so it will be interesting to see how they will fare. With some of the reserves getting starts, they will want to be aggressive with their opportunities and put some runs on the board for Lee.

After clinching their third straight NL East title, the Phillies will almost certainly have a hangover. But with the best record in the National League up for grabs, they still have something to play for. It will be interesting to see which stars get the night off and which reserves play. The postseason roster is far from certain at this point, so some of the bench players may be playing for a shot at the first round of the playoffs.