Series Preview: Twins at Phillies, 6/18-6/20

The AL Central leading Twins (38-28) visit the NL East's third place Phillies (34-30) for a three game series starting Friday night. Hoping to win three games in a row for the first time in a month, the Phillies will send Joe Blanton to the mound, hoping he can right his own ship and turn around what has been a weak showing thus far in 2010. The Twins will counter with Nick Blackburn for game 1.

The Twins visit Philadelphia for the first time since 2002 and the teams last met in 2004, when the Phillies traveled to Minnesota.

Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins and Twins second baseman Orlando Hudson could both be activated from the disabled list during this series.

Read ahead for information on the pitching match ups and plenty more stat details from this series.

Friday, 7:05pm. Nick Blackburn (6-3, 4.96) vs. Joe Blanton (1-5, 7.28 ERA). In 6 road start this season, Blackburn has a 2-3 record with a 7.31 ERA. In 3 June starts, the right-handed Blackburn has an 8.10 ERA. Ben Francisco is 1-for-12 (.083 avg) in his career against Blackburn. In his career against the Twins, Blanton is 3-4 with a 4.44 ERA in 7 games. In 4 home starts this season, Blanton is 0-2 with a 5.47 ERA. Former Phillie Nick Punto is 3-for-17 (.176 avg) against Blanton is his career.

Saturday, 4:10pm. Kevin Slowey (7-4, 3.84 ERA) vs. Cole Hamels (6-5, 3.74 ERA). In 5 road starts this season, Slowey is 3-1 with a 3.90 ERA. Slowey has never faced the Phillies before. Slowey has posted a 2.49 ERA over his last 4 starts. Ben Francisco is 1-for-12 (.083 avg) against Slowey in his career. Hamels has posted a 2.77 ERA over his last 8 starts, which includes a rain shortened outing that lasted just 2/3 of an inning. Hamels has a 2.81 ERA and has held opponents to a .224 batting avg. against in 6 home starts this season. Lefty hitting opponents are batting .141 against Hamels this year.

Sunday, 1:35pm. Carl Pavano (7-6, 3.92 ERA) vs. Roy Halladay (8-5, 2.36 ERA). Pavano has posted a 3.65 ERA over his last 5 starts. In 20 career games against the Phillies, Pavano is 5-7 with a 4.86 ERA. Pavano has allowed 11 earned run in 11 innings pitched at Citizens Bank Park (9.00 ERA). In 13 career games against the Twins, Halladay has an 8-1 record and a 2.90 ERA. In his last 7 starts, Halladay is 2-4 with a 3.35 ERA. Jim Thome is 12-for-28 (.429 avg) off of Halladay is his career.

Justin Morneau is 5-for-35 (.143 avg) in his past 10 games. Morneau is hitting .363 in 28 road games this year.

Minnesota closer Jon Rauch had a 4.09 ERA in 11 May games. In his 14 other outings this season, his ERA is 1.20.

In 96 career games at Citizens Bank Park, Jim Thome is a .237 hitter with 25 homeruns and 58 RBI. Thome is hitting .271 on the road this year, compared to .205 at home.

Shane Victorino has hit 8 of his 11 homeruns at Citzens Bank Park this year. Shane's OPS is 164 points higher at home than it is on the road.

In 27 home games this year, Chase Utley is batting .300 with 8 homers and a 1.072 OPS.

Minnesota team ERA- 3.67

Phillies team ERA- 3.95

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