Phillies Try to Get Back on Track Against Tampa Bay
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by user JuTMSY4
Today, the Philadelphia Phillies try to put the pieces of their season back together against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The Phils, standing at 33-33 are at .500 for the first time since May 27 and are trying to avoid dipping below .500 for the first time since May 3. While the road seems easy now, with a three game set against the American League East basement dwelling D-Rays, the Phillies must prepare to face the rest of the AL East via a completion of their home stand against the New York Yankees followed by a road trip through Boston, Baltimore and Toronto. To make matters work, even during the weakest portion or their next 15 games the Phils must face the ace of the Tampa staff and former New York Mets pitcher, Scott Kazmir.
First on the docket, the D-Rays send James Shields (2-0, 2.65 ERA) to the hill against Cole Hamels (1-1, 3.68 ERA). Shields has been great for the Devil Rays in his first 3 career starts, most recently blanking the Kansas City Royals. Meanwhile, Hamels is looking to get back on track after a 4-0 loss the Washington Nationals, the first of his young MLB career. Friday, June 16, 2006, 7:05PM, Citizens Bank Park
The next day, the Rays send their ace to the hill, Scott Kazmir (7-4, 3.38 ERA), who has been a bit of a luck charm for the team, as he pitched a beauty against the Detroit Tigers in his last out. While not receiving a decision, the Devil Rays did go on the lose that game in extra frames. Opposing him will be another Phillies rookie, Scott Mathieson (0-0, 0.00 ERA) who was recently called up from Double A Reading for his first career start in the majors. Mathieson is a bit of a raw talent, really only have one solid pitch, his fastball, however in his 13 starts in Reading he has struck out 11 twice and is currently 6-2 with a 3.05 with the minor league Phillies. Saturday, June 17, 2006, 7:05PM, Citizens Bank Park
To close out the series the Devils Rays will send less than stellar youngin’ Seth McClung (2.9, 6.51 ERA) to the hill with the hopes of getting his season back on track. Opposing him will be Ryan Madson (6-4, 6.11 ERA) who was shelled in his last start but has filled in admirably in the rotation for a Phillies staff that is still in search of a stop-gap. The good news for the Phils and Madson, the team was undefeated in games that he started until he ran into the Mets earlier this week. Sunday, June 18, 2006, 1:35PM, Citizens Bank Park.
The Phils will the finish their last portion of the home stand against theNew York Yankees, most likely seeing the likes of Mike Mussina and Chien-Ming Wang, while it appears Randy Johnson will be unable to make his scheduled start due to a 5 game suspension it is unclear as to whether he will start against the Phils.
Date
Fri 06/16/06, 5:38 am EST
