Game 152: Why mess with success?

Even with a lefty on the mound, Charlie Manuel is using his go-to lineup as the Phillies seek their ninth straight win at Citizens Bank Park.

Ty Wigginton had started in left field the previous three times the Phillies opposed a lefty starter. Juan Pierre, riding a hot streak, keeps his place Saturday:

1. Jimmy Rollins 6
2. Juan Pierre 7
3. Chase Utley 4
4. Ryan Howard 3
5. Carlos Ruiz 2
6. John Mayberry Jr. 8
7. Domonic Brown 9
8. Kevin Frandsen 5
9. Roy Halladay 1

Mike Minor throws for Atlanta. He has made three starts against the Phillies this season. They look like this:

8 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 9 K
7 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
5 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 K

Once again, the Phillies should have an idea once they take the field whether they can gain more ground Saturday. St. Louis is at Chicago and starts at 1 p.m. Milwaukee is in Washington for a 1 p.m. first pitch.

Chew on this: If the Phillies had won two more games against putrid Houston last weekend, they would enter Saturday one game back and only trailing St. Louis. Lots of "What ifs?" this season, but that sticks out.

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