Gameday: Phillies (25-23) at Cardinals (25-22)
Roy Halladay (4-4, 3.58) vs. Adam Wainwright (3-5, 4.78)
Time: 2:15, Busch Stadium
TV: PHL 17
Weather: Clear, 95
Media: Twitter and Facebook
The Phillies will try to do something today that they haven’t done all year–and that’s sweep a series. In fact, it’s the first time this year that they will even be in a position to do so.
Roy Halladay will get the start, and he’s coming off a performance against the Nationals where he let up five runs in six innings and took the loss. He’s been “off” this year, and even admitted that he didn’t feel himself, as well as admitting to trying to carry the team on his back.
He’ll have a tought ime getting Carlos Beltran out today, as Beltran has 14 hits in 42 at-bats with two home runs and 10 RBI against the Phillies righty. However, Halladay has good numbers against Yadier Molina (2-11), David Freese (1-8), and Matt Holliday (1-10). I don’t know what to expect from Roy today, but I don’t expect those three to be a huge factor.
For the Cardinals, Adam Wainwright will start the game, and he’s having a down year after missing all of 2011 with an injury. He’s posted a 4.78 ERA in 2012, which is over a full run above his career average of 3.08. He gave up five runs in each of his last two starts prior to this past Tuesday when he threw a complete game shutout against the Padres. He has “OK” numbers against the current Phillies, with Hunter Pence (10 hits in 32 AB) having faced him the most.
One interesting thing is that Jimmy Rollins and Mike Fontenot have nearly identical stats against Wainwright. They both have six hits in 17 AB against him, both have two doubles and five strikeouts, and have identical slash lines–.353/.353/.471. It will probably take a good amount of offense to win today’s game, and the Phils are hoping that Wainwright’s last outing wasn’t a sign of things to come.
Lineup: Rollins SS, Pierre LF, Pence RF, Chooch C, Victorino CF, Luna 1B, Galvis 2B, Fontenot 3B, Halladay P.
Your Gameday Beer – Hoegaarden
On this warm Memorial Day weekend, 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. – By Tim
GO PHILLIES!
