Gameday: Phillies (63-48) At Cubs (58-54)
Cliff Lee (9-9, 2.95 ERA) vs. Ryan Dempster (6-5, 4.04 ERA)
Time: 2:20 p.m at Wrigley Field
Weather: Sunny, 82
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Twitter: Phillies Nation
After last night’s offensive explosion and a much anticipated start by Pedro, the Phils look to sweep the series with the Cubs in a classic afternoon game at Wrigley.
Cliff Lee will seek to improve to 3-0 with the Phillies since coming over from the Indians. During interleague play this season, he faced the Cubs in Chicago, going seven innings and allowing 3 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks in a no decision (Cubs won in 10). He also gave up two solo shots in that game, one to Derek Lee. This will be just his second career start at Addison and Clark.
Lee will be opposed on the mound by Ryan Dempster who has cooled off this year after a torrid 2008 complete with a 17-6 record and All-Star appearance. It will be his first start against the Phils this season but has seen our boys six times over the past three complete seasons (only once as a starter), posting a 1-0 record and allowing 4 runs over 11 innings. Dempster’s delivery is known for his goofy hand slap the first time through the lineup but usually finishes with a fastball, slider or changeup. Last month the righty spent some time on the DL after fracturing a toe on his right foot when he jumped over the dugout fence to celebrate a win.
At the plate Milton Bradley continues to heat up in the second half and is riding a seven-game hitting streak. He is 3 for 13 against Cliff Lee in his career with a .774 OPS and 4 Ks. Meanwhile Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano are hitless in this series.
The Phillies on the other hand are all hot after last night’s 12 spot in which every position player had a hit. Woohoo!
Could today be the day we see Jamie Moyer pitch in relief? Let’s hope not.
I was looking for a good summer beer with some Chicago flair for today’s recommendation and I think I’ve found it. Goose Island is a major player in the Windy City brew scene and its IPA has been referred to as “bottled sunshine.” This no doubt refers to its bright amber color and hoppy, citrus flavors. So this afternoon imagine soaking up the rays in the Wrigley Bleachers, catching Phillies home runs, and not throwing them back. Eat a sausage sandwich with it, just don’t spill any on Shane. – By Brian
GO PHILLIES!
