Cliff Lee is in a stretch that looks a lot like the start of his season last year. Aside from some hiccups, he's pitched fairly deep into most games and allows minimal damage but the fact that he allows any damage at all finds him in the loss or no decision column. It helps make a mockery of the pitcher win/loss record but it's also signs of a team that is on life support this season.
Going for the Rockies is Juan Nicasio who the Phillies knocked around a little big in Coors Field in June in a 8-7 win. Looking at his game logs, he looks like a pitcher who a team like the Phillies could easily fall asleep on and allow to throw seven shut out innings or one they could knock around a bit if they're patient. Either way, it appears the Phillies definitely have the edge in this one on paper.
Roger Bernadina has not made this evening's line up and but he is in town which sent well traveled (as in between Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley) utility man Michael Martinez back to Allentown. Bernadina's numbers with Washington were horrendous this season but now is the time where the Phillies can afford looks at the likes of Casper Wells and Bernadina to see if they can help fill out a bench next season. Symbolically it looks quite uninspiring considering the season but I think both those moves are intelligent "Ah, what the hell?" kind of moves.
Carlos Ruiz who has looked a lot better lately gets a blow tonight and Erik Kratz is your catcher. Other than that, it's a typically Phillies line up. I'd keep my eye on Chooch the next ten days as the waiver trade deadline approaches.
LINE UPS
PHILLIES
Rollins 6
Young 5
Utley 4
Brown 7
Ruf 9
Asche 5
Kratz 2
Mayberry 8
Lee 1
ROCKIES
Fowler 8
Culberson 7
Tulowitzki 6
Cuddyer 9
Rosario 2
Arenado 5
Pacheco 2
Herrera 4
Nicasio 1
