Phillies/Marlins

The Philadelphia Phillies 52-44, find themselves atop the NL East, but barely. With the Mets win Thursday night, the teams are deadlocked, and the Marlins are right behind them waiting for them both to slip. Florida comes in 50-45, just 1.5 back of both the Mets and Phillies. With the Phillies picking up Joe Blanton, look for the Mets to make a move to pick up a quality bat, or arm.

Tonight, Jamie Moyer will take the mound for the Phillies. Moyer is 8-6, with a 3.85 era on the season. Earlier this season Moyer went 8 strong innings, allowing just 2 hits and no runs in a win over the Fish. Moyer is 5-3 in his last eight decisions, and is 4-3 this season on the road. Moyer is 9-0 lifetime against Florida.

For Florida, Ricky Nolasco will pitch. Nolasco has been a pleasant surprise for the Marlins, starting the year 10-4, with a 3.70 era. The 25 year old righthander beat the Phillies earlier in the year, going 6 innings, allowing 4 hits and 3 runs. He is 3-2 career against Philadelphia, and during the 2008 season is 4-2 at home. In 44 career starts Nolasco is 22-17.

Our boy Chase Utley is 3-11 career against Nolasco, all singles. He has walked twice and struck out twice, driving in just one run.

Let’s hope Chase can garner his first extra base hit, or four tonight, and get the Phillies rolling in the second half!

Phillies try to break their streak out West

The Philadelphia Phillies are slumping. Marred in their worst losing streak of the year, behind lack of hitting from their star Chase Utley, and no clutch hitting anywhere in the lineup, they are simply not winning games. They hope to reverse that this week, as they hit the road and head West. First up are the Oakland Athletics, who come in with a 41-34 record, but have a 24-18 record at home. The Phillies are 42-35 overall, and 20-17 on the road. Should be a very interesting series.

Here are the pitching matchups for the series in Oakland.

Tuesday: Jamie Moyer(7-4, 4.09) v. Joe Blanton(3-10, 4.81)

Wednesday: Kyle Kendrick(6-3, 5.06) v. Greg Smith(4-5, 3.51)

Thursday: Adam Eaton(2-5, 4.94) v. Rich Harden(4-0, 2.44)

This should be a fun series in the Bay. Blanton has a 3-10 record, but is a much better pitcher than that. We don’t know much about Smith, but Harden is one of the best. He will be tough to beat. The Phillies are going to have to get solid pitching out of Kendrick and Eaton, if they want to take 2 of 3.

Go Phillies, and hopefully Chase can hit his way out of his mini slump!

Utley/Phils set to face Mr. No No

Chase Utley and the Phillies, are set to take on Mr. No Hitter, Jon Lester this evening. Lester has never faced the Phillies in his career, which would make sense to say Chase has never faced Jon Lester. Let’s hope Chase can get a few hits against Lester. A couple hits today in the forecast? Go Phils!

Utley/Phillies set to take on St. Louis

Chase Utley and his .313 batting average, 21 homeruns, 58 rbi’s, and 52 runs scored will bring his teammates to St. Louis to take on the Cardinals. Both the Cardinals ahd the Phillies have identical 40-28 records. The Phillies are three games up in the NL East, while the Cardinals lead the wildcard by 3 games as well.

Here are the pitching matchups for this weekend:

Friday: Kyle Kendrick 5-2, 4.87 v. Todd Wellemeyer 7-1, 2.92

Saturday: Adam Eaton 2-3, 4.62 v. Kyle Lohse 7-2, 3.92

Sunday: Brett Myers 3-8, 5.34 v. Mitchell Boggs 1-0, 3.86

Interesting matchups, that really show no favorite. For the Cardinals, Wellemeyer and Lohse have been real good, while Boggs has only had one start. For the Phillies, Kendrick has been good, while Eaton and Myers have struggled, but we know the potential each have.

Here are Utley’s career numbers against Wellemeyer and Lohse, he has never faced Boggs.

v. Wellemeyer:

1-2
.500 average
1 double
1 strikeout

v. Lohse:

1-6
.166 average
3 strikeouts

Not great numbers, for such a stud hitter. It’s time for Chase and the Phillies to change those numbers and add a few “W’s” on the board this weekend!

Utley/Philles look to sweep Campillo/Braves

Chase Utley and the first place Phillies look to finish off the sweep of the Atlanta Braves tomorrow afternoon at home. The Phillies will face young righthander Jorge Campillo of the Braves.

Campillo is 2-0 in his career, in career games, only starting 5 of those.

In Utley’s career, he is 0-1 vs. Campillo.

Should make for an interesting Sunday afternoon game!

Go Chase! Go Phillies!

Phillies take day off, prepare for Wednesday

Chase Utley and the Phillies will take Tuesday off, and prepare for Tim Redding and the Washington Nationals on Wednesday. Chase has only faced Mr. Redding 6 times, but has come away with 3 hits, including a homerun and a double, with two rbi’s.

Hope Chase can continue that on Wednesday!