Gameday: Phillies (53-67) vs Dodgers (70-50)
Philadelphia Phillies (53-67) vs Los Angeles Dodgers (70-50)
Cliff Lee (10-5, 3.18 ERA) vs Zack Greinke (10-3, 3.21 ERA)
Time: 7:05, Citizens Bank Park
TV: PHL 17
Weather: 88, sunny
The Phillies return home from a rough 1-5 road trip Friday to open a three game set with the hottest team in baseball, the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers, who own a six game lead in the N.L. West, have won eight straight ball games and nine of their last 10 and 13 of their last 14 games.
Cliff Lee will be on the hill for the Phillies, coming off a tough Phillies loss in Washington in which he gave up three runs in six innings of work but earned a no decision. Lee has not won a game since July 5, suffering losses in his last three decisions. The left-hander has faced the Dodgers six times in his career and has performed very well against them, posting a 2-1 record and 1.40 ERA. Earlier this year he went seven innings and allowed three runs while striking out 10 at Dodger Stadium.
The Phillies will have to work through one of the hottest pitchers in the game in Zack Greinke. Greinke has won seven of his last eight decisions, and is coming off a terrific start against the red-hot Rays, in which he threw 6 1/3 shutout innings and struck out seven batters. In his career, Greinke is 2-1 with a 3.27 ERA against the Phillies, but did allow four runs on 12 hits to them in his last start against them on June 27.
Michael Young has the most at bats of any Phillie against Greinke, posting nine singles in 36 at bats. Domonic Brown, Chase Utley and John McDonald have all gone deep once off the Dodger’s right-hander.
With Charlie Manuel out as Phillies manager, Ryne Sandberg has been named interim manager, and his first lineup is as follows:
Lineup: Rollins SS, M. Young 1B, Utley 2B, Brown LF, Ruf RF, Asche 3B, Mayberry CF, Ruiz C, Lee P
This strange beer brings out the classic blackberry flavor with hints of citrus. The blackberry flavor is fairly strong and very unique, especially paired with coriander as opposed to traditional hops. When the team isn’t going too well maybe it is time to shake things up and try something unconventional.
