Gameday: Nationals (62-84) at Phillies (86-61)
Washington Nationals (62-84) at Philadelphia Phillies 86-61)
Jason Marquis (2-8, 6.60 ERA) vs. Roy Oswalt (12-13, 2.94 ERA)
Time: 7:05, Citizens Bank Park
Weather: 74 Mostly Sunny
TV: Comcast
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It’s September. The Phillies are in first place and on a tear. Tip your hats to the visiting Nationals coming into town after taking two of three from the Braves. The Phillies, on their current four game win streak, are now three games ahead of said Braves in the NL East.
The Phillies will look to stay hot against a pitcher who has yet to warm up this season. To say Jason Marquis (2-8, 6.60) hasn’t lived up to his role would be an understatement. He was brought in this past off-season to be an inning eater and lead a rotation of young pitchers. He has pitched just over 46 innings in 10 starts this year. And though he is Jewish, he decided to take his spot in the rotation and pitch tonight, the start of Yom Kipper.
The Phillies should be greatful as well. Against the Phils, Marquis’ ERA is over five in 91 innings pitched. This season, Marquis is 0-3 with a 8.78 ERA against the Phillies. Chase Utley has 12 hits in 25 at bats in his career against the righty. Along with Utley, Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth have all homered of Marquis.
Roy Oswalt (12-13, 2.94) will be on the hill for the Phillies one day earlier than his scheduled start for tomorrow. The bump will allow Oswalt to pitch against the Braves next week. This move also allow the Phillies to have their big three or H2O (Halladay, Hamels, Oswalt) go against Atlanta.
Since the beginning of August, Oswalt has been untouchable. He is 6-0 with a 1.56 ERA and holding opposing hitters to a .177 batting average.
UPDATE, 5:50 : The word on Jimmy Rollins is he may be ready for the Atlanta series. He did take grounders in bp and looked to be moving pretty well. There is no timetable yet, but looks like within the next week, according to Charlie Manuel. -Pat Gallen
Today’s lineup: Victorino CF, Polanco 3B, Utley 2B, Howard 1B, Werth RF, Ibanez LF, Ruiz C, Valdez SS, Oswalt P
GO PHILLIES!
