The Phillies continued their offensive outbreak in last night's series opener against Atlanta. Four Phillies homered last night to push to a 6-2 win. With last night's win, the Phillies three games behind in the Cardinals for the second Wild Card spot. Kyle Kendrick was yet again spectacular, earning his tenth win of the season. This afternoon, Roy Halladay (10-7, 4.03 ERA) will take on Mike Minor (9-10, 4.31 ERA) as the Phillies look to inch closer to the Wild Card spot with 11 games left to play.
Roy Halladay has not been the Roy Halladay we've been used to seeing. Despite being 4-0 in his last six starts, Halladay has posted a 4.07 ERA. In his last start, a no-decision against the Astros on Sunday, Halladay allowed three earned runs on six hits over six innings. He struck out seven and walked two. Halladay has not been able to beat the Braves this season. In three starts against the Braves, he's 0-2 with a 8.43 ERA. In his last start against them, on August 31st, he was tagged for four earned runs over 4 2/3 innings. In his career against the Braves, Halladay is 4-2 with a 3.38 ERA.
Mike Minor has been brilliant his last three times out. In that span of 18 2/3 innings, he has allowed just an earned run while winning all three starts. In his last start, against the Nationals, Minor allowed one run on five hits over six innings. Minor has faced the Phillies twice this season, winning just one. In his last start against them, back on August 31, Minor allowed four earned runs over five innings. He received the no-decision against the Phils in a game that the Braves would go on to to lose, 8-5 in extra innings.
The Phillies are three games back in the NL Wild Card entering today's game. The Cardinals are playing the Cubs early this afternoon. If the Cubs can win and the Phils can follow, they will move up to 2 games out.
Worth noting: Ryan Howard is sitting on the brink of career home run number 300. After hitting his 299th last night, he sits one away from a milestone. Chase Utley also sits one home run away from a milestone. The Phils' second baseman sits at 199 for his career.
Today's lineup vs Atlanta:
- Rollins SS
- Pierre LF
- Utley 2B
- Howard 1B
- Chooch C
- Mayberry CF
- Brown RF
- Frandsen 3B
- Halladay P.
TV: FOX ; Radio: 1210 WPHT, 94 WIP.
Follow Erik on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.
