Nation Notes: Mets vs Phillies
New York Mets (89-67) at Philadelphia Phillies (59-97)
Starting Pitchers:
PHI: David Buchanan, RHP (2-9, 7.96)
vs.
NYM: Bartolo Colon, RHP (14-12, 4.15)
Time: 7:05 EST, Citizens Bank Park
TV: CSN
Weather: Cloudy, Chance of Rain, 79 degrees
Media: Twitter and Facebook
A Note for Today:
In the final week of the season at home, where the Phillies have played the best of their games winning 33 of their 59 wins, the Phillies will look to avoid 100 loses for the first time since 1961. The only race that the Phillies have found themselves in for the year, is the race for the first pick of the draft in 2016.
Hence, the catch-22 we as Phillies fans are in. Do we try to avoid the worst losing season in over 50 years by going 4-2 this last week? Or do we forget about the history books and look to the future with a possible Ace available next year in the draft?
Whatever the outcome is in this final week of the season should be a positive one. If perhaps we could do both, avoiding 100 loses and getting the first draft pick next year, then all the better.
So whichever side you are on for the last week in town, before others go on to see their first playoffs birth since 2006, the Phillies will face the division leading Mets, and then the Miami Marlins.
The Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds have found themselves at the bottom of the standings with the Phillies, both close to that 1st pick in the draft as well. The Phillies hold a 3 game cushion over the Braves and 4 games over the Reds. Situations galore could be laid out in front of you for the last week, but if the Phillies come out losing to the Mets like they have the rest of the year, the first pick is a gimme.
David Buchanan will start the game for the Phillies, his 4th start since returning from the Minor Leagues. In the month of September Buchanan has shown a little bit of promise, but making it to the 6th inning in only one of those outings. He has only given up 7 runs in the month, giving him a semi-respectable 4.40 ERA in September, but the hard hitting Mets are standing on the door front.
In a lineup that shows no player from the 2008 season in the order, the outlook of the future is today. Aaron Altherr has been proven to be an asset, while Andres Blanco is coming off a career year for himself, although his future mostly shows utility player. There has been plenty of positives in the year hiding behind the looming 100-loss season, and the future looks bright, which we can only hope to see here in the final week of the season.
First pitch is at 7:05 EST.
Lineup:
Galvis SS, Herrera CF, Altherr LF, Ruf 1B, Asche 3B, Sweeney 2B, Rupp C, Bogusevic RF, Buchanan RHP
