On October 7, 2011 the Philadelphia Phillies played in what could be their final "golden era" game. Best friends Chris Carpenter and Roy Halladay squared off in an epic Game 5 of the NLDS in an effort to push their teams to the next stage of the postseason. Carpenter was able to fend off Halladay and the Phillies, tossing a 1-0 shutout to complete the series win over the Phils en route to their World Series title.
Since that night, the night where the Phillies hopes and dreams of capturing another title, they have traded away two All-Star outfielders, sit 18 1/2 games out of first place in the NL East and look like it would take a miracle to fix. The only good thing to really come out of this season is signing Cole Hamels. Tonight Roy Halladay (5-6, 4.02 ERA) will open up this three-game set against the Cardinals, taking on the pitcher he defeated in Game 1 of the NLDS, Kyle Lohse (12-2, 2.79 ERA).
In Halladay's last start, a winning effort against the D-backs on Saturday, he tossed seven scoreless innings, allowing the D-backs to scatter just three hits while striking out five. It was Halladay's first scoreless outing since Opening Day, and it was much needed. Over Halladay's last three starts, he has collected just one win. Halladay is 1-1 with a 4.26 ERA in his last three and holds a 4.02 ERA on the season. With Halladay's last start against the Cardinals coming on Mothers Day, the game before he was placed on the DL, he has some duties to attend to. Halladay lasted just two innings, allowing four hits and grand slam to Yadier Molina. In his career against the Cardinals, Halladay is 2-2 with a 3.09 ERA.
In Kyle Lohse's last start, against the Brewers on Sunday, he kept doing what he's been doing all season long. The league's top winning percentage owner (.857) tossed six shutout innings en route to his 12th win of the season. Allowing just four hits while striking out six and walking three, Lohse remained dominant. Lohse pitched against the Phils back on May 25th and tossed 6 1/3 innings of three-run baseball. He allowed three runs, two earned, while walking none and striking out none in the no-decision start. In his career against the Phils, Lohse is 3-4 with a 3.88 ERA.
Mike Lieberthal Inducted Into Wall of Fame:
Before tonight's game, former-Phillies catcher Mike Lieberthal will be inducted into the Wall of Fame. Lieberthal played catcher for the Phillies from 1994 to 2006 and became a fan favorite of a team that slumped through his tenure. Although Lieby never played in the playoffs with the Phils, he still boasted a .275 batting average, 150 home runs, 609 RBI and made the All-Star team twice (1999 & 2000). In 1999, he had a career year. Hitting .300 with 31 home runs and 96 RBI, Lieberthal made a staple as one of the best Phillies through the toughest times – the late '90s and early '00s. Lieby deserves this honor tonight.
Tonight's lineup vs St. Louis:
- Rollins SS
- Pierre LF
- Utley 2B
- Howard 1B
- Brown RF
- Schierholtz CF
- Kratz C
- Frandsen 3B
- Halladay P.
TV: CSN, MLBNetwork ; Radio: 1210 WPHT, 94 WIP.
Follow Erik on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.
