Gameday: Phillies (62-73) at Cubs (56-78)
Cliff Lee (11-6, 3.07 ERA) vs RHP Chris Rusin (2-3, 2.64 ERA)
TIME: 4:05 ET, Wrigley Field
TV: Comcast SportsNet, MLBN
Weather: 80, Isolated Thunderstorms
Media: Twitter and Facebook
The Phillies are back at it again today after a thrilling come-from-behind victory against the Cubs yesterday in Ryne Sandberg’s return to Wrigley. That’s the seventh win for the Phils in their last ten games. If only they had done this all season, right? Oh well. It’s still been fun to watch them since Sandberg took over the helm.
With Cliff Lee on the mound, you’ve got to like their chances of winning again today. Lee, perhaps the streakiest pitcher in Phillies history, struggled out of the gate after the All Star Break. But he’s pitched well in his last starts, allowing six earned runs over 23 innings. Lee has dominated the Cubs over his career to the tune of a 1.77 ERA. They’ve never beaten him. You’ve got to like the Phils chances against Chicago when Lee is on the mound.
Throwing a wrench in the plans for victory could be Cubs starter Chris Rusin. The rookie pitcher has been great since getting recalled to the Majors in early July. Worse, he’s never faced the Phillies. Traditionally, that has been kryptonite for the Phillies lineup. But, with a bunch of fresh faces, maybe they’ll fair a bit better today.
Lineup: Young 3B, Rollins SS, Utley 2B, Ruiz C, Ruf LF, Mayberry RF, Frandsen 1B, Bernadina CF, Lee P
Gameday Beer: Smithwicks Irish Red
Smithwicks has been around forever yet it never gets old. This red ale is one of the most common Irish brews and is perfect if you are in that Irish mood and want something lighter than a Guinness and a bit more than a Harp lager. It might not jump out at you, but you know that you are going to get a consistently solid beer, and a lot of times, that is enough.
