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Series Preview: Giants at Phillies, 8/17-8/19


In a series with playoff implications, the teams tied for the Wild Card lead
will face off for three games as the Giants (67-52) visit the Phillies (66-51) starting Tuesday night.

Chase Utley, fresh off a rehab assignment in Clearwater, Florida, is expected to be activated from the disabled list for this series. Utley was recovering from a fractured thumb. Ryan Howard (sprained ankle), who is also eligible to be activated from the disabled list is likely to play a rehab game or two prior to returning to the Phillies' lineup.

Colorado won just 1 of 3 regular season games in Philadelphia last year, before the Phillies defeated the Rockies 3-1 in the National League Division Series.

Since August 3rd, Giants starters are 0-7 with a 5.88 ERA in 12 games. Barry Zito will try to right the ship as he takes the mound in the series opener. Philadelphia will counter with Roy Oswalt, who will be making his second home start as a Phillie.

Read on for details on the pitching match ups and loads more information on this series.


Tuesday, 7:05pm. Barry Zito (8-6, 3.44 ERA) vs. Roy Oswalt (7-13, 3.34 ERA). In 4 career starts against the Phillies, Zito has a 3-1 record with a 3.38 ERA. In his last 5 starts, Zito has posted a 0-2 record with a 3.18 ERA. Placido Polanco is 9-for-13 (.692 avg) in his career against Zito. In 11 starts on the road this season, Zito is 2-4 with a 4.30 ERA. In 16 career starts against the Giants, Oswalt has a 5-8 record with a 3.59 ERA. Batters are hitting .214 against Oswalt in 3 starts as a Phillie. Aaron Rowand is 3-for-17 (.176 avg) in his career vs. Oswalt.

Wednesday, 7:05pm. Matt Cain (9-9, 3.11 ERA) vs. Joe Blanton (4-6, 5.69 ERA). In 4 career starts against the Phillies, Cain is 0-2 with a 7.20 ERA. In his last 5 starts, Cain is 2-1 with a 2.41 ERA. Chase Utley is 6-for-12 with a double and 3 HR against Cain in his career. In 6 career starts against the Giants, Blanton is 1-3 with a 5.08 ERA and a .301 batting average against. In his last 5 outings, Blanton is 1-1 with a 4.26 ERA. Pat Burrell is 2-for-9 (.222 avg) with 2 homers against Blanton in his career.

Thursday, 7pm. Jonathan Sanchez (8-8, 3.60 ERA) vs. Cole Hamels (7-9, 3.33 ERA). Sanchez has a 2-1 record a 3.38 ERA in 8 games against the Phillies. Jayson Werth is 0-for-9 in his career against Sanchez. Hamels is 4-1 with a 4.22 ERA in 7 career starts against San Francisco. At home this season, Hamels is 4-4 with a 3.18 ERA. In his last 6 starts, Hamels is 0-2 with a 2.14 ERA.


In 57 games on the road this season, Pablo Sandoval is hitting .215 and has a .564 OPS. By comparison, he has a .327 batting average and a .903 OPS at home.

Aaron Rowand is a .396 career hitter in 17 games against the Phillies with 5 HR and 10 RBI.

In 14 games this month Aubrey Huff is batting .200 with no homers, after posting a .367 avg. with 8 homers in 27 games in July.

Jayson Werth has a career .243 batting avg. in 43 games against the Giants. Werth is batting .361 in 30 games since the All-star break.

In 22 home games this season, JC Romero has a 2.51 ERA. Since the All-star break, Romero has posted a 9.45 ERA in 14 outings.

Raul Ibanez has a career .191 batting average in 15 games against San Francisco. Ibanez is 0-for-18 in 4 games since his career high 18-game hitting streak ended.

Giants team runs- 518
Phillies team runs- 552

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