Gameday: Reds (26-23) at Phillies (29-19)

Cincinnati Reds (26-23) at Philadelphia Phillies (29-19)

Travis Wood, LHP (3-3, 5.17 ERA) vs. Roy Halladay, RHP (6-3, 2.21 ERA)

Time: 7:05 p.m. Citizens Bank Park
Weather: Sunny, 81
TV: CSN, ESPN 2
Twitter: Phillies Nation

Friends, while you watch tonight’s game and scour the internet, please be sure to check out Tim Malcolm’s website as he travels the country. It’s RoadToHomePlate.com – he’s updating it every day as he travels from game to game, 11 in all, over 13 days. Give Tim your support!

Yesterday was a tough day for Vance Worley and the Phillies.  Bloop hits kept dropping in for the Reds.  With the score even in the ninth, Ryan Madson failed to escape a two-out, bases-loaded jam.  The Reds went on to win, but the Phillies look to take the series lead tonight.

Roy Halladay is on the mound for the Phillies, so there is no need to analyze tonight’s starter.  Everybody knows what he brings to the table.  In 4 career starts against Cincinnati, Halladay is 1-1 with a 2.84 earned run average.  He currently has an 18 consecutive scoreless inning streak against the Reds. Halladay also has a no-hitter on his resume against the Reds.

Travis Wood takes the ball for the Reds tonight, and he has struggled so far this year.  However, he pitched a near perfect game against the Phillies last season.  Wood lost his perfect game in the ninth inning as the Phillies sparked an amazing come from behind victory.  But with the way the Phillies bats have been going lately, don’t be surprised if Wood appears to be no-hittable again.

It’s worth noting that Ross Gload has a hip injury.  Ruben Amaro Jr. said that the injury is fairly serious, as it could nag Gload for the rest of the season.  Amaro mentioned that there is a tear, comparing it to Chase Utley’s injury in 2008.  Luckily, Gload will likely avoid the disabled list and should play soon.

It’s also worth mentioning that Jose Contreras will be activated from the disabled list tomorrow.

PHILLIES LINEUP:

Chase Utley and Domonic Brown are not in tonight’s lineup.

Rollins SS, Francisco RF, Polanco 3B, Howard 1B, Ibanez LF, Ruiz C, Mayberry CF, Valdez 2B, Halladay P

Your Gameday Beer – Hoegaarden
This was Phillies Nation’s featured beverage almost exactly one year ago: the day Roy Halladay pitched his perfect game.  With Roy Halladay on the mound tonight, it seems appropriate to relive that memory.  In addition, with Memorial Day approaching, good beer is a must.  “I’ve always like Hoegaarden, which can be enjoyed in small sips with good food. It flows smooth and tastes like citrus. Have some barbecue chicken with it,” said former Phillies Nation writer Tim Malcolm.

GO PHILLIES