Cliff Lee, Bronson Arroyo Open Up Three-Game Set In Cincinnati

The Phillies are coming off of their second-straight series win of the year after the Roy Halladay of old returned against the Marlins yesterday. The Good Doctor threw 8 strong innings, allowing an earned run on five hits while walking one and striking out two to notch his 200th career win. After a 2-1 series win in Miami, the Phillies are back at .500 and are looking to pull ahead as they take on the Reds in this three-game series. Tonight, Cliff Lee (2-0, 1.08 ERA) and Bronson Arroyo (1-1, 5.25 ERA) will man the bump in game one. 

Cliff Lee has been virtually unhittable in his two starts this season. After a spotless start in Atlanta two weeks ago, Lee dazzled yet again – taking the Mets to town on Tuesday. Lee allowed two earned on eight hits while striking out six through 8 2/3 IP. Lee has been the knight in shining armor of the rotation so far this year. With Hamels and Halladay getting off to bad starts (except this weekend), Lee has allowed two earned runs in 16 2/3 IP this season. Clifton has a good track record against Cincinnati as well, owning a 6-2 record against them along with a 3.91 ERA (31 ER in 71 1/3 IP) throughout his career.

Bronson Arroyo is looking to come back from a great outing turned bad on Tuesday against St. Louis. The righthander cured a no-hitter through five innings before crumbling to the Cards. Arroyo let up four earned runs on five hits all in the sixth inning in the 5-1 loss. Arroyo had made a strong start against the Angels prior, allowing three earned through six innings. Opposite of Lee, Arroyo has a bad track record against the Phillies. With a 2-7 record and a 6.55 ERA (40 ER in 55 IP) against Philadelphia lifetime, Arroyo is looking to switch it up.

Game Notes:

• It's Jackie Robinson Day!
• Cliff Lee has not walked a batter yet this season.
• The Phillies will not have a day off until April 29 and are scheduled to play 29 games in 30 days.
  

Phillies lineup:

1. Ben Revere CF
2. Freddy Galvis 2B
3. Jimmy Rollins SS
4. Ryan Howard 1B
5. Michael Young 3B
6. Domonic Brown LF
7. Laynce Nix RF
8. Erik Kratz C
9. Cliff Lee P.

Reds lineup:

1. Shin-Soo Choo CF
2. Zack Cozart SS
3. Joey Votto 1B
4. Brandon Phillips 2B
5. Jay Bruce RF
6. Todd Frazier 3B
7. Chris Heisey LF
8. Ryan Hannigan C
9. Bronson Arroyo P.

First Pitch Forecast: Partly Cloudy - 71° – 10% PoP.

TV: myPHL17, ESPN
Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT

Let's Go Phillies!

Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter.