9/18-9/20: Phillies @ Braves Series Preview

Philadelphia Phillies (85-60, 1st NL East)
vs.
Atlanta Braves (78-68, 2nd NL East)
@

I'm baaaack. And apparently I'm bad luck because the Braves continued winning in my absence.

The Phillies Lately:
The Phillies have gotten back on the winning track now that the Braves have as well. After taking three of four from the Mets, they most recently swept the Nationals to end a successful homestand. They continue to cruise at 7.5 games ahead of the Braves.

The Braves Lately:
The Braves have won seven games in a row for the first time since 2006 (I think I heard that right. Hard to believe). After sweeping the Cardinals, they came home and easily swept the Mets three straight to bump themselves back into second place in the East, though it doesn't really matter.

9/18 - 7:30
J.A. Happ (10-4, 2.77 ERA, 52 BB, 104 K, 1.18 WHIP)
Career vs. Braves: 2-0, 2.15 ERA in 4 starts, 5 total games
vs.
Tim Hudson (1-0, 3.63 ERA, 5 BB, 12 K, 1.44 WHIP)
Career vs. Phillies: 4-5, 3.79 ERA in 14 starts

If the Braves are any sort of team they will destroy J.A. Happ to better Tommy Hanson's ROY chances. Happ hasn't started since Sept. 2 due to an oblique injury, and his last start wasn't that special, allowing four runs in six innings to the Giants. He does have the Braves' number this year, giving up five runs in 16.2 innings and posting a .190 BAA. After two solid starts, Tim Hudson struggled in his most recent, allowing four runs on 10 hits in five innings against the Cardinals. Luckily, the offense was in full swing and backed him up. Hopefully it's not fatigue, but I wouldn't rule it out because he's not used to the full load. (Advantage: Phillies)

9/19 - 7:10
Pedro Martinez (5-0, 2.87 ERA, 6 BB, 34 K, 1.09 WHIP)
Career vs. Braves: 11-10, 3.65 ERA in 24 starts, 31 total games
vs.
Javier Vazquez (13-9, 3.01 ERA, 40 BB, 216 K, 1.05 WHIP)
Career vs. Phillies: 11-8, 4.44 ERA in 27 starts

Whyyyy does Pedro Martinez have amazing numbers in seven starts this season? He went the deepest he has all year in his last start, pitching eight shutout innings in a 1-0 win over the Mets (it was the Mets). He did face the Braves back in August but only pitched two innings because of rain. Worth noting thanks to ESPN is that Martinez threw 130 pitches in that start against the Mets. Javier Vazquez continues to be a manly man, allowing two runs over a complete game outing against the Cardinals in his last start. He pitched eight almost perfect innings before giving up the two in the ninth, and he only threw 94 pitches. I'll be attending this game so...heck yeah for me. (Advantage: Braves)

9/20 - 1:30
Cliff Lee (14-11, 3.00 ERA, 42 BB, 167 K, 1.23 WHIP)
Career vs. Braves: 1-1, 6.00 ERA in 2 starts
vs.
Tommy Hanson (10-3, 2.65 ERA, 39 BB, 93 K, 1.18 WHIP)
Career vs. Phillies: 0-1, 4.50 ERA in 1 start

The Sunday afternoon game is a monster matchup, one of the best of the season. Both pitchers are coming in with a chip on their shoulder. The Braves got to Cliff Lee for six runs in his first matchup against them as a Phillie, which was his first loss as a Phillie as well. Lee responded with two more horrible starts before throwing a complete game shutout against the Nationals in his most recent start. In his first career start against the Phillies, Tommy Hanson only went two innings due to rain and was charged with a loss because he allowed a run. Hanson hasn't allowed a run in his last 17 innings, vaulting him to (what I think should be) leading contender for Rookie of the Year. This start could very well determine that. (Advantage: Too chicken to say)

Leading Phillies Relievers:
SV - Brad Lidge (53.2 IP, 7.21 ERA, 30 SV, 10 BSV)
Career vs. Braves: 34.2 IP, 5.45 ERA, 16 SV, 3 BSV
HLD - Ryan Madson (70.2 IP, 3.31 ERA, 23 HLD)
Career vs. Braves: 46.2 IP, 3.66 ERA, 12 HLD
ERA - Scott Eyre (28 IP, 1.61 ERA, 13 HLD)
Career vs. Braves: 21.2 IP, 4.15 ERA, 5 HLD

Leading Phillies Hitters:
BA - Shane Victorino (.296, 10 HR, 58 RBI)
Career vs. Braves: .290, 6 HR, 31 RBI in 70 games
HR - Ryan Howard (.269, 38 HR, 118 RBI)
Career vs. Braves: .340, 29 HR, 82 RBI in 81 games
OPS - Chase Utley (.296, 31 HR, 90 RBI, .951 OPS)
Career vs. Braves: .289, 17 HR, 59 RBI in 104 games