Gameday: Phillies (28-26) vs Marlins (30-23)
Joe Blanton (4-5, 5.05) vs. Carlos Zambrano (3-3, 3.00)
Time: 1:35, Citizens Bank Park
TV: PHL 17
Weather: Partly Cloudy, 75
Media: Twitter and Facebook
Coming off a loss yesterday when Cole Hamels didn’t exactly have his best stuff, the Phillies look to take the series win–or loss–today against the Marlins. A win and a loss by the Nationals would put the Phillies 2.5 games out of first, but still in last place.
However, the Phillies look like they will have a tough time getting a win today with Joe Blanton taking the mound–a guy who has a 12.51 ERA, .412/.444/.882 (1.327 OPS) against, 2.268 WHIP in his last three starts.
Over his career, he has a 4.66 ERA in day games, a 4.06 ERA at Citizens Bank Park, and a 3.10 ERA against the Marlins. Jose Reyes has just four hits in 24 at-bats against him, but Chris Coghlan is .500 (7-14) against the Phils righty. Overall, I’d expect to see Blanton give up somewhere around 4-5 runs in 5-6 innings, which means the Phillies need to score runs to win today.
The bad news is that Carlos Zambrano will be on the mound for the Fish, and he’s posted a 3.00 ERA this year. He’s coming off a start against the Nationals where he threw six innings of three-run ball and got the win. Over his career, he’s posted a 3.86 ERA in day games, 5.35 ERA at Citizens Bank Park, and a 4.26 ERA against the Phillies. The Phils need to get to him early and get in his head if they want to win the game and take the series.
Lineup: Rollins SS, Pierre LF, Pence RF, Luna 1B, Victorino CF, Polanco 3B, Galvis 2B, Schneider C, Blanton P
“We fathom you not–we love you–there is perfection in you also;
You furnish your parts toward eternity;
Great or small, you furnish your parts toward the soul.”
-Walt Whitman, “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry”
A light, pleasant Belgian white ale, brewed in Philadelphia and named after the area’s greatest poet. Had it for the first time at Mac’s Tavern on Market Street the other night, and it tasted like a more citrus-filled version of Hoegaarden. All in all, not bad, and if nothing else, an excuse to quote “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry.”
– By former PN Writer Michael
