Series Preview: Blue Jays at Phillies

Interleague play continues this week in Philadelphia, as the Toronto Blue Jays come to town, to visit the first place Phillies. The slipping Blue Jays are 0-6 in interleague play so far this season. Toronto began the season with the American League's best record at 27-14 on May 18th, but since then, their record is the worst in the league at 7-17. The Phillies have 15 more runs scored than the Blue Jays this season, despite having 71 less hits. Below, check out the pitching match ups and more notes about this 3 game series.

Tuesday, 7:05pm. Ricky Romero (3-3, 3.71 ERA) vs. Cole Hamels (4-2, 4.62 ERA). Romero, the Blue Jays' first round draft pick in 2005, on the road this season is 0-2 with a 3.66 ERA. Cole has not lost a decision since April 28th. Cole against American League teams in 2008, including the post season, was 3-1 with a 3.44 ERA in 5 starts.

Wednesday, 7:05pm. Scott Richmond (4-3, 3.90 ERA) vs. Jamie Moyer (4-5, 6.11 ERA). In 7 games since May 3rd, Richmond is 0-3 with a 5.06 ERA. In 5 road starts this year, Richmond is 2-1 with a 3.56 ERA and .230 batting average against. In his last 8 starts, Moyer is 1-4 with a 6.65 ERA. In his career against Toronto, Moyer is 14-8 with a 5.27 ERA in 37 games. Marco Scutaro is 11-for-29 (.379 avg) in his career against Moyer with 3 homeruns and 6 RBI.

Thursday, 1:05pm. Casey Janssen (2-3, 6.23 ERA) vs. Joe Blanton (4-3, 5.17 ERA). Janssen has faced the Phillies three times...in those 3 games, he is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 8 innings pitched. In 2 road starts, Janssen is 1-1 with a 3.97 ERA. Blanton has made 7 career starts against Toronto. In those games, he is 4-2 with a 3.12 ERA and .220 batting avg. against. Over his last 4 starts, Blanton is 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA. lue Jays second baseman Aaron Hill is 1-for-12 (.083 avg) in his career against Blanton. Opponents are hitting .293 against Blanton in 6 home starts this season.

Scott Rolen in his career against the Phillies is a .331 hitter in 35 games with 2 homers and 22 RBI.

Jimmy Rollins is a career .348 hitter (16-for-46) against Toronto with a .951 OPS in 12 games played.

Pedro Feliz over the past week- 10-for-25 (.400 avg), 1 HR, 6 RBI, 5 runs.

Blue Jays on the road- 13 wins, 18 losses.
Phillies at home- 13 wins, 16 losses.

Blue Jays all time interleague win-loss record- 101-116
Phillies all time interleague win-loss record- 93-112.

Blue Jays team ERA- 4.30.
Phillies team ERA- 4.66.

Comments

Jason Knapp Q&A

PhoulBallz .com was fortunate enough to meet with Phillies prospect Jason Knapp just one day after he caught the attention of the baseball world with his 7 shut out innings, 14 strike out performance against the Indians' Lake County team. - I asked Jason, the Lakewood BlueClaw , for some thoughts about his big game... I had pretty good command of three pitches (fastball, curve, change up). I was on the same page with my catcher, D'Arnaud , and I ended up, ya know, I felt pretty good. - In a great performance like that, how much credit goes to Travis D'Arnaud , the catcher? More than you might expect, definitely. I didn't shake him off once. He told me what to throw and I do what I'm told. And if it works out, a lot of the credit goes to the catcher. - Does the lack of run support (Lakewood has scored 3 total runs in his 3 starts), in your few starts, increase your stress level, or enhance your focus? No, I just try to go out and do my job every outing. Ya know, we...

PhoulBallz Q&A with Mike Stutes

Mike Stutes completes "The Reading Phils Mike Tri-fecta" over three days, here on PhoulBallz.com. Stutes, a 22 year old, was an 11th round selection by the Phillies in the 2008 amateur draft. Stutes, a right handed starting pitcher, helped lead Oregon State to the College World Series championship in both 2006 and 2007. Stutes and teammate Vance Worley are the first players to begin a season at Reading the year after being drafted since Pat Burrell did it in 1999. Stutes was the Phils' minor league pitcher of the month in August '08, when he went 4-1 with a 1.72 ERA in 6 starts. Check out my Q&A with the third Mike below. Can I get you to talk about the coaching staff and how they help you deal with ups and downs? They've been real positive with me. I started out good and then I hit a rough patch. They've stuck with me through it all. I haven't heard any negative words from them. Every day they try to come out, work with me, try to get me turned around...

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

While the Phillies are on a hot streak this month, one player on the team is not. Eric Bruntlett is 1-for-12 in July. Since the start of May, Bruntlett's apex in batting average has been .167 on June 14th. Bruntlett's ineptitude can be tolerated no longer. Get rid of this guy NOW! Eric B. is the 2009 Endy Chavez. Remember Endy...the guy who in 2005 managed just 2 hits in his final 42 games played as a Phillie? That is about the sort of output the Phillies are getting from Bruntlett, and it's time to fix this void. Julio Lugo was designated for assignment last week by the Red Sox and is expected to become a free agent. The Metropolitans are rumored to be interested. Why wouldn't the Phillies be interested in a guy who could surely outhit Bruntlett? Lugo was hitting .284 through 37 games played this season with Boston. Suspended Lehigh Valley IronPig Pablo Ozuna is eligible to return next Wednesday. Ozuna is batting .294 through 51 games at triple A. Miguel Cairo is also...

PhoulBallz.com

Search This Blog