No matter how this season ends for the Phillies, lasts night's 11 inning contest against the Marlins will be among the top games of 2013. From Bob Davidson's controversial interference call on Ben Revere, to John Mayberry Jr.'s two extra inning homeruns, one a grand slam to send everybody home, there was plenty to get excited about. Even with an 0-5 night for Domonic Brown, the Phillies were able to come out on top, and are now in position to sweep the Marlins to close out the homestand. Standing in their way are two obstacles: a shaky Cole Hamels who hasn't had a season to brag about, and a young right-hander making his second start of the season.
As of today, no one has really been able to figure out Cole Hamels' issues. Some point to his monster seven-year contract signed last year, while others see it as another Roy Halladay situation, where the pitcher is hurting, but refuses to tell anyone about it. Either way, his 1-9 record and 4.86 ERA are much too high for the veteran lefty. If there's one team he'd like to see, though, it's the Marlins. Despite being 0-2 against them this season, he's allowed just 5 earned runs and struck out 21 in 20.0 innings spanning 3 starts. Proper run support and a duplication of these numbers could put Hamels back in the win column.
Jacob Turner, a Scott Boras agent, came to the Marlins in the Anibal Sanchez trade last season. Though he struggled to pitch effectively in Detroit, Turner rebounded in Miami and posted a 3.38 ERA to close out the year. Having started the year in Triple-A, the 2009 draft pick was called up over the weekend to face the Mets, a game in which he went 7 innings of shutout baseball. The Phillies are well known for struggling against pitchers they haven't seen before, and not a single Phillie in the lineup has faced Turner before. Turner could emerge with a very solid game. Getting to the bullpen may be the key to winning.
Game Notes:
- Juan Pierre is 11-for-36 (.308) against the Phillies this season with 5 stolen bases. However, a 3-for-16 (.188) mark against Hamels could keep him off base today.
- Since May 18, Michael Young has seen his batting average drop from .300 to just .257. He went 1-for-5 in last night's contest.
- John Mayberry Jr. returns to the lineup after his late-inning heroics last night.
Phillies Lineup:
- Ben Revere CF
- Michael Young 3B
- Jimmy Rollins SS
- Ryan Howard 1B
- Domonic Brown LF
- John Mayberry Jr. RF
- Erik Kratz C
- Freddy Galvis 2B
- Cole Hamels P
Marlins Lineup:
- Juan Pierre LF
- Ed Lucas 3b
- Derek Deitrich 2B
- Marcell Ozuna RF
- Justin Ruggiano CF
- Casey Kotchman 1B
- Adeiny Hechavarria SS
- Jeff Mathis C
- Jacob Turner P
Forecast: 79° – Mostly Cloudy – 0% PoP
TV: CSN
Radio: 94.1 WIP, 1210 WPHT
LET"S GO PHILLIES!
