Gamenight: Phillies (25-22) At Nationals (20-27)
The Phillies will try to take the three-game set from the Nationals tonight at Nationals Park Jamie Moyer goes for the Phils, while subsitute starter Matt Chico pitches for the Nats. The lefty means the Phils will trot out the left-handed lineup, complete with Jayson Werth, Chris Coste and Pedro Feliz, all good against lefties. Ryan Howard, 1-for-8 against Chico, will start.
Chico has only notched six innings twice this year, and both starts were very early in the season. Lately, Chico had been throwing from the bullpen, but Shawn Hill was scratched from the start, moving Chico back into the rotation for this game. He’s been known to give up four-six runs per outing, so the Phils bats need to be ready. They’ve only scored one run in 18 innings against the Nats in this series.
I’d like to predict an offensive outpouring, but I can’t. It’s too uncertain. It would’ve been nice to see Jayson Werth slide into the three-hole with Utley, Burrell and Howard hitting four-six. Then put Coste in the seven with Feliz hitting eighth. That would’ve been nice, but Charlie Manuel likes sticking to his guns. Here’s hoping the guns work out tonight.
Phillies: Jamie Moyer (3-3) 4.89 ERA
Nationals: Matt Chico (0-5) 6.07 ERA
Gametime: 7:10 p.m. EST
Weather: 67 degrees, light rain
Lineup: Rollins, Victorino, Utley, Howard, Burrell, Werth, Feliz, Coste, Moyer
MLB Gameday Audio
MLB Gameday
Your gamenight beer: Let’s go with a local winner: Yuengling Black & Tan. Strong like a stout but smooth like a pilsner, it has the best of both worlds. Very hearty drink that you should have with some mini chessesteaks, like I will be doing tonight.
Go Phillies!
