Series Preview: Phillies at Brewers, 9/24-9/27

The Phillies (88-63), whose magic number stands at 5, are in Milwaukee to begin a four game series against the Brewers (75-77). This time last year these two teams were battling it out over the wild card and were en route to a playoff battle with each other. Now it's just the Phillies looking forward to another October run. The Brew Crew is already out of any playoff contention, but is seeking their third straight winning season for the first time since 1983. Read on for notes on the pitching match ups and other details.

Thursday, 8:05pm. "Jay" Happ (10-4, 2.77 ERA) vs. Jeff Suppan (7-10, 4.76 ERA). Happ leads all NL rookies in ERA. In 17 road games this season, Happ is 6-2 with a 1.91 ERA. In his career against the Phillies, Suppan is 3-6, over 12 starts, with a 6.13 ERA. At home this season, Suppan is 3-7 with a 5.92 ERA in 14 starts. Eric Bruntlett is 5-for-11 in his career against Suppan with a double a 2 RBI.

Friday, 8:05pm. Cliff Lee (7-2, 2.65 ERA) vs. Manny Parra (10-10, 6.42 ERA). Lee is 4-1 with a 3.08 ERA in 6 road starts as a Phillie. Lee has not faced the Brewers before. Parra is 0-3 with a 17.05 ERA in 3 career appearances against the Phillies.

Saturday, 7:05pm. Pedro Martinez (5-1, 3.32 ERA) vs. Braden Looper (13-7, 5.12 ERA). Pedro is 1-0 in 3 career starts against the Brewers with a 5.14 ERA. Jody Gerut is 6-for-14 (.429 avg) with a homer against Martinez in his career. Martinez's home/road ERA splits (4 starts each)- 0.90/5.66. Looper is 4-4 with a 5.02 ERA in 17 home starts this year. Looper is 3-6 with a 5.10 ERA, with 16 saves and 5 blown saves, in 61 career games against the Phillies. Ryan Howard is 4-for-6 (all 4 hit are homeruns) against Looper in his career.

Sunday, 2:05pm. Joe Blanton (11-7, 3.82 ERA) vs. Dave Bush (5-8, 6.22 ERA). Blanton is 4-4 with a 4.15 ERA in 14 road starts this year. Blanton's ERA in his last 6 road starts is 4.06. Mike Cameron is 3-for-7 with 2 HR against Blanton. Bush is undefeated against the Phillies in 7 career starts with a 1-0 record and a 5.01 ERA. Over his last 8 starts this year, Bush's ERA in 9.68. Greg Dobbs is 6-for-14 (.429 avg) with 2 homers against Bush. Shane Victorino, Jimmy Rollins, Jayson Werth, Raul Ibanez, Ben Francisco and Pedro Feliz are a combined 10-for-63 (.164 avg) against Bush with 3 homers and 7 RBI (2 of the HR and 5 of the RBI belong to Feliz).

Chase Utley is a .325 career hitter in 34 career games against Milwaukee with 4 homeruns and 21 RBI. Utley is a .447 career hitter with a 1.296 OPS in 11 games at Miller Park.

Ryan Howard is a .300 hitter after the all star break in his career....before the all star break- .255. In 10 career games at Miller Park, Howard is a .171 hitter with a .523 OPS.

Pedro Feliz is the only active Phillie to have homered off of Brewers closer Trevor Hoffman.

Prince Fielder has 3 hits in his past 4 games...all 3 hits are homeruns.

Team ERA Phillies- 4.09
Team ERA Brewers- 4.75

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