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Back at home, where they've won 11 in a row, the Phillies (60-48) hope to gain ground in the standings as they face the rival Metropolitans (54-54) in a 3-game series. Without injured All-stars Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Shane Victorino, Philadelphia hasn't shown signs of slowing down as they've closed the gap on the NL East leading Braves to 2 games, with a series sweep at Florida this week. Philadelphia will send Joe Blanton to the mound in the series opener. New York will counter with left-hander Jonathan Niese. The last time these two teams met, from May 25th-27th, Metropolitans pitchers shut out the Phillies over 3 games, sweeping the series. Read ahead for details on the pitching match ups and plenty more information on this series. Friday, 7:35pm. Jonathan Niese (7-5, 3.78 ERA) vs. Joe Blanton (4-6, 5.86 ERA). In his last 5 starts, Niese is 1-3 with a 4.20 ERA. In 8 road starts this season, Niese has posted a 3-2 record with a 3.91 ERA. In 5 career starts against ...

Aside from the reported 3-team blockbuster involving the Yankees, D-Backs and Tigers that moved Curtis Granderson, Edwin Jackson and Max Scherzer, the biggest deal of the meetings thus far has been the impending move of reporter Peter Gammons from ESPN to MLB media and NESN. MLB.com's Mike Siano and other sources report the deal is done and the crossover will coincide with the new year. The Phillies added more reserve depth by signing OF/1B Ross Gload on Tuesday night. Such a move enhances what became a weak spot for the Phils in 2009, their bench. More on Gload's signing from PhoulBallz here . Regarding the Phillies interest in Brandon Lyon, it is not confirmed that the Phillies have made an offer, but GM Ruben Amaro confirmed the team has offered contracts to players, although he did not believe a deal was close with anyone, prior to the Gload announcement. That could mean any offer to Lyon was possibly a low-ball gesture and the team & player are likely not in the same ...

The Phillies made a move by signing free agent Ross Gload late Tuesday night. Gload, who will turn 34 years old on opening day next year, is a career .283 hitter in 608 Major League games. The lefty hitter, who led the National League in pinch hits this past season, will add depth to the outfield and can play first base. Leading up to the announcement of the signing, rumors had surfaced stating that Gload had 2-year offers on the table from the Braves, Marlins and Phillies. Gload decided to go with the National League champs. While this deal adds depth to the team, it was not a necessary signing. Outfield was likely the area at which the Phillies were best stocked, going into next season. Their three starting positions are filled by a trio of all stars (Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth and Raul Ibanez), while Ben Francisco and his low salary are locked into a back up role. The Phillies have John Mayberry Jr., who played 39 games with the big league Phillies in 2009 and hot prospect ...