Phils Take Aim at Mets, Hope to Maintain Pace
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by user JuTMSY4
The Philadelphia Phillies return home after a lackluster end to their road trip (6-5 in their season long 11 game trip) to meet the unflappable New York Mets (who have yet to lose three in a row). The Mets, coming of a series win against the Los Angeles Dodgers and a sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks are looking to take complete control of the National League East by virtue of a series win or sweep of the Phillies. The Phils, now 6.5 games behind the Mets were looking like they had finally reached mid-season form after sweeping the D-Backs, but faltered in Washington as the Nationals took three out of four from them. In each previous meeting between these teams the home team has taken two out of three resulting in a season series split three to three. The Phillies know they must start winning and winning now if they have any hopes of a playoff birth. Should the Mets win this series, the Phils will be at least 7.5 back and potentially 9.5 back, either proving not good for a team who has been known to streak on both sides of the columns. Should the Phils falter, they will not have a chance to meet the Mets head-to-head until August 4th at Shea Stadium, which means they will have to depend on other teams in order to move up in the standings.
The Phils first test is a difficult one, as Tom Glavine (9-2, 3.06 ERA) squares off against Ryan Madson (6-3, 5.71 ERA). Madson pitched well in his last start, giving up 3 earned runs over 7.2 innings, while Tom Glavine with the exeption of his last start has been spectacular, pitching at least 6 innings and giving up no more than 3 runs in each start (7 total) dating back to April 29th. In his last start he was human, giving up 6 earned over 5.1, but receiving the win in a 9-7 game against the Dodgers. The game is Tuesday June 13th, 7:05PM EST
Enter Orlando Hernandez (4-5, 5.48 ERA, who pitched a gem against the Diamondbacks. Hernandez gave out a complete game 3 hitter, surrendering only 1 run, in the ninth which resulting in the loss of the shutout. Opposite Hernandez is the Phillies Ace, Brett Myers (4-2, 3.44 ERA), who had been magnificent up until his last start, where he lasted only 3 innings and gave up 6 runs, raising his ERA to 3.44. That start may have been only a blip on the radar, as all over Myers’s other starts have resulted in at least 6 innings pitched with no more than 3 runs per outing earned. This game is being broadcasted on ESPN Wednesday Night baseball and should be one of the more unlikely pitching duels you could see over the season. Wednesday, June 14, 7:05PM EST.
The series closes with a chance for both teams to really mash the ball, as Steve Trachsel (3-4, 4.70 ERA) faces Cory Lidle (4-5, 4.68 ERA). Trachsel has been average all year, but respectable as a third starter, much like Lidle, both have losing records but ERAs that are not surprising considering their ability to pitch a lot of innings. The potential for this game to be average is their and expect each team to put up at least 4 runs a piece. The difference making? Lidle is 4-2 with a 3.18 ERA all-time versus the Mets. Thursday, June 15th, 1:05PM EST.
If anything, this is a big test for the Phillies as they face three pitchers who certainly have the ability to win games, however the same could be said for the Mets. Don’t expect any dominant performances, however there are a few names out their who could make some big splashes. This is a series that could determine the fate for each franchise, as the Mets could potentially move into playoff position by mid June, and load up for a run in October, while the Phillies could make a push to make the division a legitimate race, something they’ve failed to do all season.
Date
Tue 06/13/06, 6:25 am EST
