Well, last week I got the Cardinals series right, and the Reds one way wrong. The Phillies are 8-11, and celebrate 20 games of baseball tonight. The Pirates come in for four, and then the Phillies head up to Gotham, to visit our friends in Queens, the Mets. Here's the match-ups for the week:
Philadelphia Phillies (8-11) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (10-8)
When: Monday-Thursday
Times: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 7:05; Thursday 1:05.
TV: CSN- Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday; TCN- Tuesday.
PITCHING MATCH-UPS:
Monday- Jon Pettibone (0-0, MLB Debut) vs. A.J. Burnett (1-2, 2.63)
Tuesday- Cole Hamels (0-2, 6.46) vs. Jeff Locke (1-1, 5.17)
Wednesday- Roy Halladay (0-2, 6.04) vs. Wandy Rodriguez (2-0, 0.56)
Thursday- Cliff Lee (2-1, 2.83) vs. James McDonald (2-2, 4.12)
On the Phillies- A good win on Sunday night makes you feel better, but it was a rough, 2-5 week. At 8-11, they will have a losing record through 20 games. The inconsistency of the offense is a bit concerning, especially since Pittsburgh has played pretty well.
On the Pirates- The Pirates just took 3 of 4 from the Braves, so what else needs to be said about their play? Rodriguez and Burnett are off to really good starts. They have some outstanding young talent.
PREDICTIONS- I'd love to think they get going here. They won't. SPLIT.
Phillies @New York Mets (9-8)
When- Friday-Sunday
Times- Friday 7:10; Saturday 1:05, Sunday 1:10.
TV- PHL17- Friday, Sunday; FOX- Saturday;
PITCHING MATCH-UPS:
Friday- Kyle Kendrick (1-1, 3.28) vs. Dillon Gee (1-3, 5.95)
Saturday- TBD vs. Jon Niese (2-1, 3.80)
Sunday- Hamels vs. TBD
On the Phillies- In the first meeting of these two teams, the Phillies took 2 of 3. This will be their first trip to Citi Field this year. They won their last game there 16-1.
On the Mets- The Mets are off to a good start, and just beat the Nationals in 2 of 3 this weekend.
PREDICTION- Write off Saturday, they won't win that one. I still like them here. PHILLIES 2 OF 3.
