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.
Charlie is playing for keeps right now. no way he wants to use Romero, Bastardo, Baez or Herndon if he can help it. He remembered the game when the Phils had a 10-1 lead and Robertson almost gave it away. He id going with the guys he trusts right now and that is the way it should be. The sooner they clinch the division, the sooner guys can get rest.— ESFjellin
It's too early to start talking about rest. There's no sense in having rested players, sitting home, watching the playoffs. Right now the Phils are 'in' the playoffs by 3.5 games with 15 left to play. Hopefully, by the end of this homestand, they will have effectively eliminated the Braves. But that's still a ways away.- Madson, the Phillies "chairman", has had plenty of time to rest this year after his little hissy fit. Charlie is doing what he needs to do to win important games down the stretch. I have no issues with him using Durbin, Lidge, etc. as needed. There will be no postseason run if we don't MAKE the postseason people...— iamkingdunlap
- Chollie has been abusing his pitchers all year, especially Doc. It started on opening day by letting him pitch 8 innings with an 8-1 lead. I knew then he was going to abuse the guy. Now, he's tired and needs a rest. Great! And why use the top relievers with a huge lead there? You need to see if you can get something out of Romero and Baez.— gluteman
- If I had my druthers, Baez would never see the postseason field. The guy has proven to be unreliable, and by far the worst RAJ signing in the offseason. Makes you miss the days of having a reliable long man (Condrey) and a reliable left handed alternative (Eyre) doesn't it?— iamkingdunlap
- H2O...
- I suspect Manuel wanted to get Lidge some work. And he looked like he needed it. As for Madsen, he shouldn't have been in there. They should have gone with J.C. Romero with a five-run lead. Get HIM some work, hope that he gains some command. They're going to need him.— Bartleby
- The sooner the Phils clinch a spot, the sooner all the regulars can rest for a few days. Win now.— smel4727
- It appears Uncle Cholly is trying to handle his pitching staff like Gene Mauch of 1964 and we know what happened that year!— sonnybuoy01
- They really should start thinking about limiting Halladay's innings. He is already at 234 innings pitched on the year. For someone who has never pitched in the postseason, Halladay could be in uncharted territory as far as innings pitched. He averages 7 1/2 innings a start so with at least 2 starts left in the regular season he could be pushing 250 innings BEFORE THE PLAYOFFS. If they make it to the World Series he could make at least 5 starts, as many as 8. We could be talking about 290-300 innings this year! CC Sabathia (217 IP) and Carl Pavano (205 IP) have the highest IP for teams that could make the playoffs. I think it is cause for SOME concern for the Phils.— DatDude1129
- Alex Gonzalez is the braves version of Jose Reyes... someone to REALLY dislike....— stoky
- Madson is not going to blow out his arm, he was out 2.5 months because he is an idiot and broke his toe. Plus were only up 5 runs, what are we going to bring in Herndon or Romero so they can give up runs and make it a close game???? Durbin Contreras Madson and Lidge are the only reliable bullpen guys.— Joe WS
- Use the JV? Have you seen how the Marlins keep coming, keep piling up hits and walks. With our BP, six runs ain't safe. they were one walk away from bringing the tying run to the plate. They need to win now, not let it go down to the final series where anything can happen and often does when Atl playing at home. Charlie is in a similar situation with BP to last year, except Lidge is a little better emotionally, at the moment, and there's no solid LH in the pen. He's going to have to manage his way around that shaky group again in the playoffs this year.— Eephus
- Not reason for Charlie to use Lidge in an non-save situation last night. It's a different animal. That could be counterproductive, specially with a mentally fragile closer. Let's hope that didn't mess up his confidence after getting it back with some solid outings put together. As for Halladay, I expressed some concerns regarding his previous outing. He looks like he's laboring more out there. He has to be tired.— EL Zorro
- Going to the game on Tuesday I can not wait to be in that ballpark! This series is going to be awesome!— Phillyphan26
