6/30-7/2: Phillies @ Braves Series Preview

Written by: David Lee on 30th June 2009

6/30-7/2: Phillies @ Braves Series Preview | read this item

After losing four straight, the Braves got back in the win column on Sunday. A much-needed day off Monday is being followed by a three-game set with the Phillies at home.

The Braves ended the interleague schedule on a rough note, dropping two of three to the Yankees and Red Sox at home, including losing four straight games at one point. The rough stretch that has been talked about a lot this season has not been kind to the Braves, as predicted. Since the first series against the Red Sox, they have gone 4-6. This stretch is capped with the coming series against the Phillies that will end the homestand. The Braves are 35-40, five games out of first.

The Phillies got back on the winning track after a rough stretch of their own. Starting June 16th, they were swept in consecutive series by the Blue Jays and Orioles and lost two of three to the Rays. However, they most recently took two of three from the Blue Jays and jumped to 2.5 games ahead of the struggling Mets.

(2009 stats followed by career stats vs. opposing team)
6/30 – 7:00, PTV

Joe Blanton (4-4, 5.06 ERA…0-1, 9.64 ERA in 3 starts)
vs.

Derek Lowe (7-6, 4.53 ERA…5-1, 2.61 ERA in 8 starts, 12 total games)

If anybody can help the Braves get out of a hitting funk, it’s Blanton. He gave up seven runs to the Braves in the first week of the season and six runs in early May. Blanton is coming off one of his best starts of the season, allowing two runs and striking out 10 against the Rays. Lowe is in the middle of one of the worst stretches of his career, giving up a total of 16 runs in his past three starts, walking seven and striking out two.

7/1 – 7:00, PTV

Cole Hamels (4-4, 4.44 ERA…7-3, 3.42 ERA in 12 starts)
vs.

Jair Jurrjens (5-6, 2.93 ERA…2-2, 2.76 ERA in 5 starts)

Hamels continues to struggle with allowing tons of hits and not getting deep into games. Since his May start against the Braves in which he allowed two runs in six innings, Hamels has given up at least seven hits in seven of his past nine starts. His most recent start was four runs in 4.2 innings against the Blue Jays. Jurrjens is coming off consecutive starts against the Red Sox, allowing a total of five runs in the two starts. He threw 114 pitches over eight innings in his last start.

7/2 – 7:00, SS

Carlos Carrasco (4-7, 4.92 ERA for AAA Lehigh Valley)
vs.

Javier Vazquez (5-7, 3.04 ERA…11-7, 4.45 ERA in 25 starts)

With Antonio Bastardo going on the DL, the Phillies have called up Carrasco, who has pitched well in his last two starts. Carrasco has allowed two runs in his past 13.1 innings for Lehigh Valley. Vazquez continues to dominate despite getting tagged with more losses due to offensive stinkiness. After a shutout performance against the Cubs, he allowed one run in 7.2 innings against the Red Sox in his last start.

Key Phillies Relievers:
CL – Ryan Madson (37.1 IP, 2.89 ERA, 4 SV, 14 HLD…41.2 IP, 3.02 ERA, 1 BSV, 9 HLD)
SU – J.C. Romero (10.1 IP, 3.48 ERA, 3 HLD…19.1 IP, 1.40 ERA, 11 HLD)
MR – Chad Durbin (40 IP, 4.50 ERA, 5 HLD…15.1 IP, 1.17 ERA, 2 HLD)

Key Phillies Hitters:
1B – Ryan Howard (.256, 20 HR, 59 RBI….333, 24 HR, 72 RBI in 72 games)
2B – Chase Utley (.302, 16 HR, 51 RBI….292, 13 HR, 54 RBI in 95 games)
RF – Jayson Werth (.271, 15 HR, 43 RBI….299, 5 HR, 20 RBI in 43 games)

Phillies Injuries:
LF – Raul Ibanez (15-day, strained groin)
SP – Antonio Bastardo (15-day, shoulder strain)
RP -Clay Condrey (15-day, strained oblique)
RP – Scott Eyre (15-day, strained calf)
SP – Brett Myers (15-day, torn labrum)

Topics: Atlanta Braves, Carlos Carrasco, Chase Utley, Cole Hamels, derek lowe, jair jurrjens, javier vazquez, joe blanton, Philadelphia Phillies, Ryan Howard, ryan madson