Phils Face the Second Place Team

It has been over a month since they last faced off. This week, the Phillies return to Citi Field for another head to head series with the Metropolitans. The Phillies lost both games the last time they visited Queens on May 6th and 7th. Ahead, check out the pitching match up for this series, plus loads more notes.

Tuesday, 7:10pm. "Jay" Happ (4-0, 2.48 ERA) vs. Johan Santana (7-3, 2.00 ERA). Happ has thrown 5 2/3 innings in relief against NY this year and has not been scored upon. Happ's WHIP this season is 0.98. Johan is 3-0 with a 2.49 ERA, as a Met against the Phillies. He gave up just 2 hits over 7 scoreless innings in that May 6th game. Pedro Feliz, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino are a combined 9-for-77 (.117 avg) against Santana in their careers. Raul Ibanez is 13-for-37 (.351 avg) in his career against Santana. Ryan Howard is 6-for-17 (.353 avg) against Santana with 2 homers.

Wednesday, 7:10pm. Cole Hamels (4-2, 4.40 ERA) vs. Mike Pelfrey (4-2, 4.85 ERA). Hamels is his career against the Mets is 1-3 with a 3.79 ERA in 6 games. Cole has not lost a game since April 23rd and his ERA since that loss is 2.84. Pelfrey is 3-2 with a 4.19 ERA in his career against the Phils in 6 games. Pelfrey is 2-0 with a 3.62 ERA through 5 home games this season. Pelfrey against the NL East this season is 3-0, 3.03 ERA in 5 games.

Thursday, 7:10pm. Jamie Moyer (4-5, 6.27 ERA) vs. Tim Redding (0-2, 6.97 ERA). Moyer has 2 starts against the Mets this year. In those games, he's 0-1, with 12 earned runs allowed in 8 innings. Batters are hitting a combined .307 overall against Moyer this year. Redding is 5-3 with a 3.29 ERA in 11 career starts against the Phillies. In 2008, Redding was 3-1 with a 3.41 ERA in 5 games against the Phils. Chase Utley is 8-for-18 (.444 avg) with 2 homers against Tim Redding.

Francisco Rodriguez has not allowed an earned run since April 24th. He's made 19 appearances since then. His batting average against is .053 in 6 career games against the Phillies.

Pedro Feliciano has not given up an earned run at Citi Field this year. His career ERA against the Phillies is 4.06 in 47 games.

David Wright is batting .529 (9-for-17) over the past week, with 5 runs scored and 4 RBI.

Carlos Ruiz is batting .321 since May 4th with 3 HR, 13 RBI and 3 steals.

Team runs scored Phillies- 302
Team runs scored Metropolitans- 257

Team ERA Phillies- 4.63
Team ERA Metropolitans- 3.93

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Update-

The Phils will be making the trip to New York without an active Brad Lidge. Lidge, the Phillies' closer, has a 7.27 ERA this season and has already been scored on in as many games (13) this year as he was last season, and is one shy of how many he was scored upon in 2007. The Phillies are citing a knee sprain as Lidge's ailment. Ryan Madson is expected to fill the closer role, in Lidge's absence.

Check out Fox Sports 1310am's Shore Sports Report today around 3:30 for a live dose of PhoulBallz!

Eric B Needs to be Cut (and My Name is Rakim)

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