Gameday: Phillies (10-5) vs Brewers (8-8)
Milwaukee Brewers (8-8) at Philadelphia Phillies (10-5)
Randy Wolf LHP (1-2, 4.32 ERA) vs. Roy Halladay RHP (2-0, 1.23 ERA)
Time: 7:05, Citizens Bank Park
Weather: Possible rain, 68
TV: MyPHL 17/MLB Network
Twitter: Phillies Nation
Once again the Phillies lost the series opener. All five losses have come in game one. If this season’s short history stands true, the Phillies should be victorious after the final out is recorded.
Charlie Manuel decided to go with Joe Blanton after the rain out to allow Roy Halladay go on his normal five days rest. Kentucky Joe pitched well but the bullpen, mainly Kyle Kendrick, let the game slip through their fingers.
Halladay should provide relief to the pen. He will also look to keep the momentum going after he threw his first complete of the season in his last start against the Nationals.
The last time Doc faced the Brewers he surrendered four homers in a Phillies win and overall is 1-1 with a 5.54 ERA against Milwaukee. He will have to be careful with Brewers’ left fielder Ryan Braun. Although he only has one hit in four at bats against Halladay, he absolutely rakes against Philadelphia. In 23 games Braun has 35 hits in 95 at bats for a .368 clip.
Former Phillie Randy Wolf will take the hill against his old team. He has thrown 30 innings against the Phillies with two wins and a 5.10 ERA.
To throw a wrinkle in the mix, Charlie Manuel is giving right fielder Ben Francisco the night off and releasing John Mayberry Jr. loose against the Brewers. It’s an odd move starting Raul Ibanez and sitting the righty Benny Fresh against the lefty Wolf.
Ibanez does have four hits, including a home run, in 15 at bats against Wolf but the sample size is too small in my opinion. Trust in Charlie right? Sounds good to me.
Lineup: Victorino CF, Planco 3B, Rollins SS, Howard 1B, Ibanez LF, Mayberry RF, Ruiz C, Valdez 2B, Halladay P
Your gameday beer: Yards Love Stout
GO PHILLIES!
