Gameday: Phillies (7-3) at Nationals (5-5)
Roy Halladay RHP (1-0, 0.69 ERA) vs. John Lannan LHP (1-0, 3.60 ERA)
Time: 7:05, Nationals Park
Weather: Cloudy, 55
TV: CSN, MASN2 (VA viewers)
Twitter: Phillies Nation
It feels like Opening Day 2010 all over again doesn’t it? Roy Halladay is on the mound against John Lannan in early April. And expectations for the Phillies are extremely high while for Nats fans they get to see one of the best right handed pitchers throw the ball. It’s an even trade off really.
To understand the dominance Halladay has had over the Nationals, think of an adult lion stalking a wounded zebra. Yeah, it’s not fair. Against Washington, Halladay is 8-1 with a 1.96 ERA for his career and has a seven start win streak against them. In 2010 he started three times against the Nats, winning all three, and posted a 0.39 ERA in those games. This year Doc is 1-0 with 0.69 ERA in two starts. He has 13 K’s in 13 innings pitched this season.
On the other end of the spectrum is Lannan. He is winless against the Phillies going 0-8 with a 6.09 ERA. This season he hasn’t been horrible in two starts. He is 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA in two starts. Lannan has seven strikeout and three walks in 10 innings thus far.
Raul Ibanez loves it when he sees Lannan’s name on the score card. He has 10 hits, two homeruns, and is hitting .667 against the lefty. Ryan Howard, however, has not been so lucky. He is hitting a dismal .185 with 11 strikeouts against Lannan.
The Phillies have three losses on the season. All three losses have come in the first game of each series they have lost a game in. They have won three straight series to start the season and need to win tonight to ensure that streak stays alive with a win tomorrow as well.
Lineup: Victorino CF, Polanco 3B, Rollins SS, Howard 1B, Francisco RF, Ibanez LF, Ruiz C, Valdez 2B, Halladay P
Tonight we have a gentle offering by Victory. This classic German Witbier is supremely drinkable on any evening, especially a rainy one like today. The flavor is comprised by wheat malt and yeast with notes of orange zest, coriander, and clove. Essentially, it’s another more sophisticated version of Blue Moon, if you fancy those. If you can find some fresh shellfish, like a bushel of crabs, have that with it. – By Brian
GO PHILLIES! This one is for you Harry.
