Well, after a very awful game yesterday, the Phillies are 24-26. Today, they start a few days playing the Red Sox, a team they have traditionally struggled with. Here's the weekly preview:
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (24-26, NL EAST-3) vs. BOSTON RED SOX (31-20, AL EAST-2)
WHERE: Fenway- Monday, Tuesday; Citizens Bank Park- Wednesday, Thursday;
WHEN: Monday, Tuesday 7:10; Wednesday, Thursday 7:05;
TV: Monday- PHL 17; Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday- CSN
PITCHING MATCH-UPS:
Monday- Tyler Cloyd (1-0, 2.70) vs. Alfredo Aceves (1-1, 8.20)
Tuesday- Cliff Lee (5-2, 2.48) vs. Ryan Dempster (2-5, 4.69)
Wednesday- John Lackey (3-4, 2.72) vs. Kyle Kendrick (4-3, 3.29)
Thursday- Jon Lester (6-1, 3.34) vs. Jon Pettibone (3-0, 3.21)
ON THE RED SOX- They've been surprisingly good, much healthier than last year, and are right in the race. Fortunately for the Phillies, they won't be seeing the hottest pitcher on Boston, but they will be facing some guys they struggle with, particularly Lester.
ON THE PHILLIES- Well, Ryan Howard's knee is bothering him. The pitching is the only semi-bright spot, though Kendrick is on a little slump. This team is running out of time to get going.
PREDICTION- The easy prediction is to say that the Red Sox will beat us up this week. I don't think so though. Call me crazy, but i'm saying we SPLIT.
PHILLIES vs. MILWAUKEE BREWERS (19-29, NL CENTRAL-4)
WHERE: Citizens Bank Park
WHEN: Friday 7:05, Saturday 4:05, Sunday 1:35
TV: Friday and Saturday- CSN; Sunday- PHL 17
PITCHING MATCH-UPS:
FRIDAY- Yovani Gallardo (3-5, 4.79) vs. Cole Hamels (1-8, 4.43)
SATURDAY- Wily Peralta (3-5, 6.45) vs. Cloyd
SUNDAY- TBA vs. Lee
ON THE BREWERS- Well, they're a 19-29 team, .5 games ahead of the Cubs, and 12.5 games out of first. They're not so good.
ON THE PHILLIES- See above.
PREDICTION: Yeah, they stink, and this should be a big weekend. I'm not predicting a big weekend though. Even though they stink, the Phillies only WIN 2 OF 3.
