Series Preview: National at Phillies, 9/20-9/22

The Phillies (98-54), who have clinched the National League East division title and having locked down home field advantage throughout the playoffs, sit just 2 wins away from the century mark and 4 wins away from an all-time franchise record for wins in a season. With the division rival Nationals (72-79) coming in for a 4-game series, both marks are within reach before the Phils complete their regular season home schedule on Thursday.

Right-hander Kyle Kendrick will get things started in the series opener, as the teams will play a twin bill on Tuesday. The Nationals will counter with left-hander Ross Detwiler, who has struggled in his career against the Phillies.

In the night cap, Cy Young Award contender Cliff Lee will take the mound for Philadelphia, while Washington is slated to go with rookie Tommy Milone.

The Phillies have won 8 of 14 meetings against the Nationals to date this season.

Read ahead for more details on the pitching match ups as well as other key details from this series.

Tuesday, 1:05 PM. Ross Detwiler (2-5, 3.76 ERA) vs. Kyle Kendrick (8-6, 3.22 ERA). In 6 road games this season, Detwiler is 0-3 with a 4.10 ERA. Detwiler is 1-5 with a 4.34 ERA in his past 7 outings. In 5 career games against the Phillies, Detwiler is 0-3 with a 6.00 ERA. Kendrick is 2-3 with a 6.02 ERA in 12 career games against the Nats. In 9 games since the All-Star break, Kendrick is 4-2 with a 2.74 ERA. Ryan Zimmerman is 10-for-22 (.455 avg) with 7 doubles and a HR in his career against Kendrick.

Tuesday, 7:05 PM. Tommy Milone (1-0, 4.60 ERA) vs. Cliff Lee (16-7, 2.38 ERA). The rookie left-hander Milone will be making his 4th career big league start. In 24 starts for Triple-A Syracuse this season, Milone posted a 12-6 record with a 3.22 ERA. Lee has a 3-1 record with a 2.97 ERA in 4 career starts against the Nationals. In his last 9 starts, Lee is 7-0 with a 1.00 ERA.

Wednesday, 7:05 PM. Jon Lannan (9-13, 3.68 ERA) vs. Vance Worley (11-2, 2.85 ERA). In 16 career starts against the Phillies, Lannan has a 1-12 record with a 5.81 ERA and a .314 batting average against. Lannan has won just once in his last 8 outings. In 6 career starts at Citizens Bank Park, Lannan is 0-5 with a 7.40 ERA. In 11 home starts this season, Worley is 6-0 with a 2.01 ERA and a .195 batting average against.

Thursday, 7:05 PM. Brad Peacock (1-0, 1.42 ERA) vs. Roy Oswalt (8-9, 3.66 ERA). The righty rookie Peacock is slated to make his 2nd career start. Combined at two levels on the minors this year, Peacock went 15-3 with a 2.39 ERA while striking out 177 batters in 146 2/3 innings. In 9 home starts this season, Oswalt is 4-3 with a 3.38 ERA. Oswalt has posted a 7-4 record with a 2.95 ERA in 20 career games against the Nats. Opponents are batting .304 against Oswalt in 8 starts since the All-Star break.

In 5 games against the Phillies this year, Ryan Zimmerman is 8-for-19 (.421 avg). Zimmerman is a .235 career hitter in 43 games at Citizens Bank Park.

Michael Morse is a career .351 hitter in 29 games against the Phillies. In 15 September games, Morse has posted a .197 batting average.

Nats closer Drew Storen has a 7.71 ERA in 8 career games against the Phillies.

Ryan Howard, who has been resting his ailing right ankle, may return to the lineup on Thursday.

Shane Victorino has posted a .194 batting average in 18 September games. Victorino's OPS against lefty pitchers this year- 1.089. Victorino's OPS against righty pitchers this year- .809.

In 16 day games this season, Ryan Madson is 2-0 with a 1.15 ERA and is perfect in 6 save opportunities. Madson has allowed 6 earned runs in 1 2/3 innings (32.40 ERA) this season against the Nationals.

Nationals team batting average- .242.
Phillies team batting average- .252.
____________________________________________

You can follow PhoulBallz on Twitter by clicking HERE.

Also connect with PhoulBallz on Facebook by clicking HERE

Jersey Shore clinches playoff berth on final day of regular season

Ottto Kemp, image- Jay Floyd With an extra-inning victory over first-half division champions Hudson Valley on Sunday, the Class A Advanced Jersey Shore BlueClaws clinched the team's first playoff appearance since 2018, winning the second-half division title. Key performers in the BlueClaws' clincher were righty hurler Jason Ruffcorn, who threw three innings of relief to earn the victory and third baseman Otto Kemp, notched three hits, a walk, two stolen bases and plated the game winning run in the 11th inning on a sacrifice fly. On top of that, Kemp, who turned 24-years-old on Saturday, made an absolute game-saving defensive play to help the club hold their lead in the bottom of the 11th frame. One of Jersey Shore's most consistent performers all season long has been right-handed reliever Cam Wynne. The Phillies' 20th round draft pick in 2021 out of Nebraska. In 34 appearances, one start, the 24-year-old tallied a 1-1 record with one save, a 2.44 ERA and a .190 batti

PhoulBallz Interview: BlueClaws OF Justin Crawford

Justin Crawford w/ junior reporter Evan At the age of 19, outfielder Justin Crawford has played his way into the conversation of being considered as one of baseball's top prospects. The son of four-time MLB All-Star Carl Crawford, Justin has looked every bit as impressive as his position as the 17th overall draft selection last year would have most fans thinking he should be. He opened the season with Class A Clearwater where, in 69 games, he notched a .344/.399/.478 slash line. And since mid-August when he was promoted to Class A Advanced Jersey Shore, the younger Crawford has posted a .300/.364/.440 line. He's also stolen 44 bases in 52 attempts overall. And while the BlueClaws enter the final week of the regular season 1/2 game out of first place in their division, I spoke with Justin Crawford about the team's hopes of making the postseason for the first time since 2018. I also asked Justin about the similarities and differences between his skillset and his father'

RHP Pipkin headed to AFL after hot August

After completing what was easily the best month of his career, righty hurler Dominic Pipkin is ready to face the tough competition of the prominent Arizona Fall Leage. Pipkin, who was the Phillies' 9th round draft selection in 2018, has had moderate success in his five years as a pro, posting a 4.93 ERA, a 7.6 K/9 mark and a .260 batting average against mostly at the lower levels on the minors. After missing time this year with an unspecified ailment, the six-foot-four 170-pounder proved to be healthy as he dominated AA competition in nine appearances with the Reading Fightin Phils during August. Pipkin's impressive production resulted in a 1-0 record with a save and a 0.96 ERA while striking out eight and walking three in 9 1/3 innings. The California native says his efforts to improve have helped him touch 100 MPH on the radar gun, while his fastball velocity is mostly around 96 MPH. Pipkin's arsenal includes that improved fastball as well as a slider while his curve

PhoulBallz.com

Search This Blog