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Beginning Friday, Boston visits Philadelphia for a 3-game series to ring in 2010 interleague play for both clubs. The Red Sox (22-20) are in 4th place in the AL East, 8 1/2 games behind the division leading Rays. The Phillies (25-15) sport the best record in the National League and lead the NL East by 4 games over the second place Marlins. The Phillies enter the weekend with a 12-8 home record as the Red Sox start interleague play with an 8-9 road record. Dating back to 2004, the Red Sox have won 14 of 18 games against the Phillies. The Phillies lost 2 of 3 games against Boston in Philadelphia in 2009. Read ahead for info on the pitching match ups and other key details from this series. Friday, 7:05pm...Nationally televised on MLB Network. John Lackey (4-2, 4.86 ERA) vs. Cole Hamels (4-2, 4.29 ERA). In one career appearance against the Phillies, Lackey allowed 1 earned run in 6 1/3 innings pitched. In 3 road starts this season, Lackey is 1-1 with a 3.92 ERA, compared to his 5.52 ERA i...

Special to PhoulBallz.com...written by Kelly Bloor and Johnny Bloor Benjamin Franklin once said, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Had Mr. Franklin lived in his beloved Philadelphia today, he might add one more thing to the list: The national media's neverending stream of negative coverage about Philadelphia sports fans. Philadelphia fans are all too familiar with the Mad Libs-type paragraph that is tacked on to each and every article discussing an incident that took place within a mile radius of Broad and Pattison: "Once again, Philadelphia [Phillies/Eagles/Flyers] fans proved they are among the most [classless/rude/obnoxious] in [MLB/NFL/NHL] as [drunk/unruly/disorderly] fans [fought with/cursed at/spit on] opposing [players/coaches/fans]. Such [reprehensible/boorish/juvenile] behavior is [expected/common/customary] from the league's most [vulgar/uncivil/ill-behaved] fans. After all, these are the same people that [booed San...

As Brett Myers departs from the Philadelphia Phillies organization, has another bust of a first round draft pick been secured in team history? Myers was the second highest paid Phillie in 2009. With the Phillies locked into the $12 million range on Myers, there was no chance of him returning. I can easily concede that Myers was successful at times and will forever be cemented in team lore for closing down the 2007 East Division title and for his efforts in the 2008 postseason, but were a few shining moments enough to prove him worthy of a top draft spot? This makes two consecutive offseasons where the Phillies will have cut ties with former first round picks, with last year's casualty being 1998 #1 overall pick Pat Burrell. Letting these players go before they could evolve into the faces of the franchise that Phillies phans hoped they'd both become, in the late 90's, got me wondering if they were busts. That then got me reflecting on all the top draft pick busts I grew up f...

Welcome to the Phillies baseball blog brought to you by Fox Sports 1260. Some entries here might be thoroughly organized, and based on one topic. Others, today’s for example, will feature details on various Phillies related matters. To kick things off on the best note possible, don’t expect the Phillies to make the post season this year. In case you missed it, last week the Phillies announced that they were bringing Mike Lieberthal back for one day, so he can retire as a Phillie. Many of you are aware that every season since 1992 that the Phillies did not have Mike Lieberthal on their roster, that won the division title. Sure, it was only 2 years out of 14, but obviously it’s a certainty that Liebey is a jynx. June 1st, the day Lieberthal returns, will be D-Day for the Phightin’ Phils. Gavin Floyd: Ace Starter?! Twice in under a month, the phormer Phillies top draft pick has flirted with a no hitter for the Chicago White Sox. His strike out to walk ratio (19:18) is not gleaming at all,...