Washington Nationals (14-16) at Philadelphia Phillies (20-9)
John Lannan (2-3, 3.78 ERA) vs. Roy Halladay (4-1, 2.14 ERA)
Time: 7:05, Citizens Bank Park
Weather: Partly Cloudy/Windy, 54
TV: CSN
Twitter: Phillies Nation
PLAYER UPDATES:
-Roy Oswalt is back and had himself a bullpen session upon returning to the club, eight days after leaving to be with family in tornado-wrecked Mississippi. Rich Dubee said he was a little bit rusty, but all is fine and should make his start on Saturday against the Braves. To find out about the destruction in his hometown of Weir, check out the video below.
-Joe Blanton also threw a bullpen today and according to Dubee and Charlie Manuel, he looked fine. He’ll throw again Saturday in the ‘pen, then they’ll make a decision based on that session. Manuel said it’s looking like next week at some point Blanton will return to the rotation. That will almost certainly spell the end of Vance Worley for the time being.
-The news pertaining to Carlos Ruiz is not as positive. He sung a bat in the cage and felt a “tweak” in his back, according to GM Ruben Amaro Jr. They will let him rest tomorrow and then reassess him on Saturday to see if a DL stint is necessary.
GAME TIME:
Roy Halladay just owns the Nationals. He’s 9-1 with a sub-two ERA. Those, my friends, are exceptional numbers. After Cole Hamels and Vance Worley both shut the Nats down in succession, expect more of the same from Halladay.
Just the opposite has been the case for John Lannan. Incredibly, he’s 0-9 against the Phillies in his career in 12 starts, with an ERA of 5.80. He did pitch well against them in mid-April (six innings, two earned), but was tagged with the loss because Halladay went nine. He does crazy things like that.
LINEUP:
Rollins SS, Victorino CF, Polanco 3B, Howard 1B, Mayberry RF, Ibanez LF, Valdez 2B, Sardinha C,Worley P
GAMEDAY BEER: Gordon Biersch Maibock
Since one of our most esteemed commenters, Jeff from Nova, told me that Winterbock is no longer available at Gordon Biersch brewery, we’re moving along. Maibock translated from German means the bock beer of May. Gordon Biersch Maibock achieves its rich malty flavor from dark roasted caramel malt, and lots of it. Originally brewed in the 14th century in the town of Einbeck, Germany, it quickly became a favorite style in Bavaria. Have some beef stew with it, and make sure you add mashed potatoes to it. Yummy. -By Pat
GO PHILLIES!
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