Series Preview: Astros at Phillies, May 14-15

The Phillies (16-19) will try to get on a roll and win consecutive games for the first time this month as they host the Astros (15-19) for a quick two-game series at Citizens Bank Park.

In the series opener, the Phillies will sent righty hurler Joe Blanton, who has not lost at Citizens Bank Park since May 14th, 2011, to the mound. The Astros will counter with right-hander Lucas Harrell, who has never faced the Phillies before.

The Astros were swept by the Phillies in their 3-game series in Philadelphia last year.

Read ahead for more details on the pitching match ups for this series as well as plenty more statistical info.

Monday, 7:05 PM. Lucas Harrell (2-2, 4.58 ERA) vs. Joe Blanton (3-3, 3.24 ERA). Harrell has posted a 0-2 record with a 6.23 ERA in 4 road starts this season. Harrell is 1-2 with a 6.23 ERA in his last 4 starts. In 24 career big league games, opponents have posted a .300 batting average against Harrell. Blanton is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in 4 career games against Houston. In 3 home starts this season, Blanton is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA. Carlos Lee is 6-for-15 (.400 avg) with 3 doubles in his career against Blanton.

Tuesday, 1.05 PM. Jordan Lyles (0-0, 4.50 ERA) vs. Cliff Lee (0-1, 2.17 ERA). Lyles is the likely candidate to take this start for Houston...it would be his 2nd big league start this season. In 6 starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City, Lyles has posted a 5-0 record with a 3.49 ERA. Lyles, a right-hander, was the Astros' supplemental 1st round draft selection in (38th overall) in 2009. In 3 career starts against Houston, Lee is 1-2 with a 6.89 ERA. Carlos Lee is 8-for-21 (.381 avg) with a triple and 3 HR in his career against Cliff Lee. Opponents are batting .192 against Cliff Lee this season.

Former Phillie Brett Myers is perfect in 9 save opportunities and has posted a 0.77 ERA this season for Houston. Myers has a 4.10 ERA in 98 career games at Citizens Bank Park.

In 9 May games Chris Johnson is batting .353 with 4 HR and 8 RBI. Johnson is a .293 hitter in 13 career games against Philadelphia.

Carlos Lee is a .278 career hitter in 52 games against the Phillies. In 25 games at Citizens Bank Park, Lee has posted a .317 average with 8 doubles, a triple, 9 HR and 24 RBI.

After joining the Phillies last season from Houston, Hunter Pence went 4-for-11 (.364 avg) in 3 games against his former team. Pence is batting .207 in 16 home games this season.

Carlos Ruiz is batting .361 in 11 games this month. In 27 career games against Houston, Ruiz has a .256 batting average with 3 HR and 12 RBI.

In 69 career games against Houston, Jimmy Rollins is a .307 hitter with 10 HR and 28 RBI. Rollins is batting .328 in 16 home games this season, compared to .139 on the road.

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This Guy Speaks For All of You

This individual, interviewed by FOX 29 on Friday as the Phillies arrived back at Citizens Bank Park, said it best. When asked how he felt regarding the Phillies, he told Steve Keeley that he was, "Stoked, baby!" The unidentified phanatic then proclaimed, "We are talking about the Fightins here, the Fightins! Said!" Check out the media player below, as the transcribed version certainly does not do this phireball of phandom justice. The Phillies forced game 6 of the National League Championship Series with a 4-2 victory over the Giants in San Francisco on Thursday night. Game 6 will feature Roy Oswalt vs. Jonathan Sanchez in a return pitching match up from game 2. First pitch is scheduled for 7:57 pm EST at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Be sure to tune in on 97.3 ESPN's Weekend Sports Guide with Tyrone Johnson this afternoon around 1:15pm to hear me chatting about the Phillies! 97.3 is based in Atlantic City. You can listen live online HERE . _________

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