Phils Try to Put Pieces Back Together Versus Yankees
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by user JuTMSY4
The New York Yankees come into town limping to meet the Philadelphia Phillies who aren’t exactly coming up all aces. The Yankees, who surrendered a the lead late last night and a seven run lead the night before are looking to get back on track and they certainly have the arms to do so. Meanwhile, the Phillies, who haven’t exactly beent he picture of perfection either, are looking to get back on track against so very tough opponents. Quietly, the Phillies have fallen 9.5 games behind the Mets for the National League East lead and are 3 games out of the wild card. Most will agree, its way to early to be talking about surrendering the division, but at this pace, the Phils are making the Kansas City Royals look like contenders. All the while, the Yankees are only 1 game back of the American League East division lead and 5 games out of the wild card. It looks like this year, the Yankees will need to win the division in order to make the playoffs and that task doesn’t seem so easy.
In what might be one of the best pitching match-ups Phillies fans might see all year, the Yankees send perennial Cy Young contended Randy Johnson (8-5, 5.32 ERA) to the bump to face Brett Myers (4-3, 3.86 ERA). Johnson has not been the ace of the staff as expected, however his most recent start was solid, giving up no runs in 6.1 before he was ejected for “brushing back” Eduardo Perez (Resulting in a 5 game suspension, but only moved his start back one game). Myers, meanwhile, who was considered the ace of the Phillies staff, has hit a slump. In his first 12 starts of the year, Myers had gone at least 6 and only allowed 3 or less earned per game, in his most recent two starts 11 earned over a total of 5.2 innings. The Phils defense certainly hasn’t helped Myers. They’ve given up 3 errors according to the score-keeper (5 by my count) which have accounted for 5 runs scored. Monday, June 19, 2006, 7:05PM EST, Citizens Bank Park.
In the second game of the three games series, the Phillies send Cory Lidle (4-6, 4.89 ERA) to the mound to square off against Yankees’ ace Mike Mussina (8-3, 3.14 ERA). Mussina had been the model of consistency for the Yankees until lately, where in his last three starts he’s given up 13 runs and taken 2 losses. Lidle on the other hand has been hard luck but solid. Giving the Phillies 6 solid innings of work, especially considering what was expected, he can do no better. He’s consistently given up a little of 3 runs in each of his last 10 starts except for his last, where he gave up 5. Tuesday, June 20, 2006, 7:05PM EST, Citizens Bank Park.
In what will be the finale for the Yankees and Phillies and the final game at Citizens Bank Park for the rest of the month (The Phillies will return for 6 games in July 4th to face the San Diego Padres before the All-Star Break. The Yankees have options Aaron Small (0-3, 8.46) to Triple A Columbus and replaced him with rookie T.J. Beam (0-0, 13.5 ERA). The Yankees are undecided as to who will be facing rookie Cole Hamels (1-2, 4.91 ERA), who hasn’t exactly been lights out like expected. Hamels had a rough go of it again last time out, surrendering 5 runs over 3.2 innings, 3 of those runs via Julio Lugo long balls. Hamels claimed to have been a little too focused during his last outing and hopes to show the home crowd some of the talent they had heard about on the road. Wednesday, June 21, 2006, 7:05PM EST, Citizens Bank Park.
The Phillies will then roll onto the Boston Red Sox to attempt to handle former Phillie killer Josh Beckett and former Phillie and current Red Sox Ace Curt Schilling. The Phils hope to handle some solid starting pitching, but it looks like this rough patch is a long way from being over.
Date
Mon 06/19/06, 5:02 am EST
