We’re Almost Done… Phillies Bullpen To Take On Mike Minor, Braves

Ethan Martin will pitch first, though he has had bullpen appearances longer than starts

We are almost there… just two games are left in this Phillies season.   The Phillies entered today tied for the seventh-worst record in baseball.  Many fans have their eyes on the Phillies finishing in the bottom 10, which means the Phillies could sign any free agent they wish and not have to surrender their first round draft pick.   The Phillies have a good shot of that because they are out of starting pitchers.

Tonight will be another famous Phillies bullpen game.   Ethan Martin technically is "starting", but he is not stretched out enough to pitch deep into the game.  Martin has appeared in 14 games for the Phillies in his young major league career, seven of them starts.   After his last rotation appearance, Martin has pitched no more than an inning per game since; in fact, one full inning was all Martin has pitched in his seven relief apperances.  Luckily, Cliff Lee pitched a complete game last night, resting the Rosenbergs and Saverys who will certainly get work tonight.

Mike Minor has a full season's worth of starts under his belt.  He's been decent, too.  Overall, Minor is 13-8 with a 3.22 ERA.  The 25 year-old has settled in nicely in his second full year in the Braves rotation.  Minor figures to slot in second in the Braves' rotation heading into the playoffs.  Kris Medlen, who teamed with Craig Kimbrell to shut out the Phillies last night, will head the Braves playoff rotation, followed by Minor and then tomorrow's starter Julio Teheran.   Alex Wood and Paul Maholm would pitch a fourth game in a series.

Game Notes:

• Brian McCann continues to be out with an injury.  McCann is available to pinch hit, though he will not catch this series.
• Cameron Rupp gets his third start of the season.
• Cody Asche is now hitting seventh in the batting order.

Phillies Lineup:

1. Cesar Hernandez CF
2. Jimmy Rollins SS 
3. Chase Utley 2B 
4. Darin Ruf 1B 
5. Domonic Brown LF 
6. Cameron Rupp C 
7. Cody Asche 3B 
8. John Mayberry RF 
9. Ethan Martin P

Braves Lineup:

1. Jason Heyward CF
2. Justin Upton RF
3. Freddie Freeman 1B
4. Evan Gattis LF 
5. Chris Johnson 3B
6. Gerald Laird C
7. Andrelton Simmons SS
8. Elliott Johnson 2B
9. Mike Minor P

First Pitch: 7:10
TV: CSN
Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT