Get your popcorn ready: Braves-Phils pitching match-ups set
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Get your popcorn ready: Braves-Phils pitching match-ups set
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
The Braves won't make any changes to their rotation this weekend, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. That means that, barring injuries, the pitching match-ups for next week's three-game series between the Braves and the Phillies are set.
Mon., Sept. 20 - LHP Cole Hamels vs. RHP Jair Jurrjens
Hamels: Has faced the Braves three times this season with one solid start in a 6-3 loss at Turner Field on July 6 (7 IP, 8 H, 3 R/ER, 2 BB, 8 SO, 117 pitches), one mediocre start in a 5-3 win at Citizens Bank Park on May 9 (5 IP, 8 H, 3 R/ER, 4 BB, 5 SO, 97 pitches), and one rain-shortened outing in which he allowed three runs and recorded two outs in the first inning before the delay at Turner Field on June 1. . .Since his last start against the Braves, Hamels has a 2.42 ERA in 19 starts with 137 strikeouts in 130 1/3 innings.
Jurrjens: Has dominated the Phillies in his career, allowing just 17 earned runs in 59.2 innings over nine starts. He held them to three runs on two hits in six innings back on July 6 when he was just returning from a two-month stay on the DL. Last season, he held them to four earned runs in 26.2 innings. . .Jurrjens has allowed 11 earned runs in 8 2/3 innings over his last two starts.
Tue., Sept. 21 - RHP Roy Halladay vs. LHP Mike Minor
Halladay: Has been flat-out unhittable against the Braves this season, allowing five hits in a complete game shutout on April 21, and five hits and one run in a complete game 3-1 victory on July 5.
Minor: The 22-year-old rookie has allowed at least four earned runs in five innings or fewer in each of his last three starts, including a 4-2 loss to the Nationals today that dropped the Braves another game behind the Phillies in the NL East. But the Phillies haven't seen him before, and he throws with his left hand, which has been a tricky combination for them at times.
Wed., Sept. 22 - RHP Roy Oswalt vs. RHP Tommy Hanson
Hanson: The way I have it figured out, the Braves needed to decide whether to pitch Hudson or Hanson against the Phillies. The way it sets up, at least on my spreadsheet, only one of them will be able to pitch in each of the two series between the two teams. The Braves could use an off day on Sept. 16 to pitch Hudson on normal rest and give Hanson an extra day, which would line Hudson up to face the Phillies in the final game of both series. But they said yesterday they weren't going to do that. And it makes sense: Hanson has held the Phils to three earned runs in 11.1 innings over two starts this season.
Oswalt: Last faced the Braves on Sept. 10 of last season, when he allowed six earned runs in two innings of a 9-7 loss. . .Former NL Central foe Derrek Lee is 18-for-65 (.277) with five doubles and three home runs against Oswalt in his career. . .Former Pirate Nate McLouth is 10-for-28 (.357) with two doubles and two home runs against him. . .SS Alex Gonzalez is 10-for-23 (.435) with two home runs.
Going to the game on Tuesday I can not wait to be in that ballpark! This series is going to be awesome!— Phillyphan26- we should trade the phanatic and a case of yuengling lager to the rangers for cliff lee.— gwn099
- A lot of criticism of Cholly....... He's ony taken us to the post season for three years in a row, and hopefully a fourth. If we get to the WS, it'll be the first time an NL team has gone to three straight in a LONG time. I think I'll leave the managing to Cholly, and just sit back and enjoy the games. He knows what he's doing.— dlscholt
- Aham. Tell that to Ricky Bo, and ex closer himself. With that team my grandma takes the Phillies to the WS and wins it.— EL Zorro
I better not hear one mention the rest of the year that Lidge or Madsen have been used alot and need some rest, so they are unavailable for any given game. To use them in that game last nite was just stupid. Charlie better give some innings to Bastardo or Romero and hope they can straighten themselves out so the Phils have a lefthanded reliever, cause right now they don't.— blaqjaq- If Charlie is such a great baseball mind, how come he hasn't realized JRoll is not a leadoff hitter? Have you seen how smooth the line up has been with Vic leading off?— EL Zorro
- The only reason Lidge pitched was to experiment and see if he could bounce back and pitch on consecutive nights. With the scheduled off day on Thursday. He would have almost a full 48 hours to recover.
Manuel and Dubee need to know if they can depend on Lidge if needed on back-to-back nights.— michael2_19030 
A three game sweep of the Nats could alter that rotation, if the Mets can win a game or two this weekend, at the same time.— pigday31- This might sound weird but Charlie should go into the playoffs (presuming we get there) with the notion that Madson or Contreras should sub to for Lidge at any moment. We don't want 1993, with Lidge appearing in a cameo role as Mitch Williams. Yet, that's really possible right now.— eman
- Might not be much of a series with the Braves after this weekend when Atlanta visits the Mets. Mets are tough to beat at home and the Braves stink on the road. With the way Atlanta is playing, I wouldn't be surprised if the Phils have a 4 or 5 game lead going into Monday's series with Atlanta. Turn out the lights, the party's over!!— walt1
- Phils playoff rotation: 3 men and a Blanton!— jeff easton
- I know we are all feeling excited but a bad series against the Braves and this thing could get real complicated real quick and the Rockies are on fire so the wildcard may not definitely come from the NL East. San Fran, is playing pretty well,so the Phils need to keep going strong and take it to the Braves and prove who the NL East belongs to. I love the way OSWALT is pitching but will he do as well as LEE if the PHILS get to the Postseason because they traded a proven winner and dominator of the YANKEES. Halladay, is looking alittle worn down and hopefully he can get some rest. Which means if the PHils can take 2 of 3 from the Braves, that should about wrap this thing up because Braves also have to play the pesky Marlins again.
- Whine, whine, whine...Best record in the NL, two wins away from the best record in baseball, and you wanna be's do nothing but whine...go back to WIP freaks...Except for those of you who comment positively and well...e.g. Mr Phillie, P Even...— will_wonders_never_cease
- It's super important that the team win ten games ASAP so Halladay, and Hamels will get some time to rest before the playoff's. When we get there Kendrick will go to the pen for middle inning relief and possibly Blanton depending on how things shake out. I hope everyone is taking notice of Victorino as he still raises his average. Extremely difficult at this time of year. NOtice also the number of walks Howard is getting since he has raised his average. Are you paying attention Mitch? Polanco is slumping a little but he is too good a hitter for that to last. Everyone talkes about Ryan and the shift and what a dead pull hitter he is BUT Utley has the same problem. A good 3 hole hitter would use all the fields not just right. When he learns to take balls the other way he will hit .300 again. What do you say about Jason Werth, great arm, proven .275 -.285 hitter, +25Hr's/yr, and werth a lot of money. He should get a healthy contract with incentives to ensure performance. Ibanez is going to hit his lifetime average again but I do agree he will be a liability in the field next year which means keep Werth!!! LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST IS THE UNSUNG HERO OF THE PHILS. CAN YOU SAY CARLOS RUIZ. The guy deserves recognition for what he has accomplished but the Philly press continues to ignore the real stories on this team. All in all this is the greatest collection of players on a Philly team since Connie Mack's "A"s. The only question left is will the manager measure up?— Wally 24
- Halladay Hamles and Oswalt rank 2,11,and 13 in the NL in ERA, 1,4 and 11 in K's, 1,4, and 11 in WHIP, and 1, 10 and 13 in innings pitched, 1, 10 and 13 in complete games.
That is nothing short of incredible. Lets hope we can have a heck of a week, and lock it up before the final series against the braves and give these guys some well deserved rest!— joecatz
