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The Phillies (72-86) will close out their 2013 season with a four-game series against the postseason bound Atlanta Braves (93-65). When the teams last met in Philadelphia earlier this month, the Braves were swept in a three-game set.  The Phils have dropped four of six meetings at Turner Field, where this series will take place, thus far this season. Read ahead for full details on the pitching match ups and loads more statistics from this series.    Thursday, 7:10 PM.  Tyler Cloyd (2-6, 5.40 ERA) vs. David Hale (0-0, 0.00 ERA).   In three starts this month, Cloyd has an 11.77 ERA.  In six road starts, Cloyd is 2-2 with a 4.60 ERA.  Hale, a 25-year-old Princeton product, threw five scoreless frames in his big league debut against the Padres earlier this month.  Hale had a 6-9 record with a 3.22 ERA in 22 Triple-A games this season. Friday, 7:30 PM.  Cliff Lee (14-7, 2.93 ERA) vs. Kris Medlen (14-12, 3.24 ERA).  In 1...

Tyler Cloyd, Image- Jay Floyd Fresh off a series sweep of the National League East division leading Braves over the weekend, the Phillies (66-77) will continue their homestand as they host the San Diego Padres (65-77). During their successful sweep, Phils starting pitchers posted a 2.45 ERA while striking out 27 batters in the three games. In the opening contest of the three-game set, the Phillies will send right-hander Tyler Cloyd , who tallied a 1.36 ERA in his final eight minor league games this season, to the mound.  San Diego will counter with righty Andrew Cashner , who has a 2.18 ERA in his last five starts.  The Phils were victorious in two of three meetings with the Padres at Citizens Bank Park last season.  Read ahead for details on the pitching match ups and loads more details on this series. Tuesday, 7:05 PM.  Andrew Cashner (8-8, 3.45 ERA) vs. Tyler Cloyd (2-3, 3.57 ERA).   In 16 road games this season, the righty Cashner has a 3...

Righty hurler Roy Halladay , who was slated to appear in another rehab outing for Double-A Reading on Sunday will return to the big league club instead, following a marathon of baseball Saturday night at Citizens Bank Park. In Saturday night's (Sunday morning's?) 12-7 defeat at the hands of the Diamondbacks, the Phillies sent nine pitchers and two position players to the mound to make it through the lengthy affair. Starter Ethan Martin could not escape the opening frame, as he allowed three hits, three walks and three earned runs. Over the 4 2/3 innings that followed, Luis Garcia and Zach Miner allowed a combined four earned runs. The remainder of the relief corps including Cesar Jimenez , Justin De Fratus , Jonathan Papelbon , Jake Diekman and B.J Rosenberg combined for 6 2/3 scoreless innings while Sunday's originally scheduled starter Tyler Cloyd was called upon to toss five scoreless frames. As the need to use Cloyd approached, the Phillies d...

It's another weekly rundown of the Phillies' minor leagues with details on some recent noteworthy performers... Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs- Cesar Hernandez w/ Reading in 2012 International League All-Star Cesar Hernandez is back in action after missing a few weeks with a wrist injury.  In three games since rejoining the Pigs' starting lineup, Hernandez has gone 3-for-9.  Overall this season, the switch-hitting 23-year-old has posted a .315 average with two homers, 35 RBI and 31 stolen bases in 95 minor league games. Righty hurler Tyler Cloyd in his last seven starts has tallied a 4-1 record with a 0.77 ERA while striking out 32 and walking five in 47 innings.  In 12 big league starts, the 26-year-old is 4-4- with a 4.14 ERA.  Cloyd was the Phils' 18th round draft selection in 2008. Double-A Reading Fightin Phillies- Left-hander Jesse Biddle struck out seven and walked none while allowing three earned runs in six innings in his latest star...

We're back with the 37th edition of the PhoulBallz Podcast.  This week the show includes an exclusive interview with Reading Fightins infielder and former big leaguer Matt Tolbert .  Also, we discuss Tyler Cloyd 's hot streak, Zach Green 's impressive output in the NYPL, Jesse Biddle 's ups and downs as well as the A-Rod circus and drug suspension chatter we didn't make time for last week. Use the media player below to stream the full episode, or simply download it by clicking HERE . You can also check out previous episodes and subscribe on iTunes .

It's another weekly rundown of the Phillies' minor leagues.  Take a look at details on some recent noteworthy performers... Triple A Lehigh Valley IronPigs- David Buchanan, image- Jay Floyd Right-hander David Buchanan got the call up on Sunday, and notched a win, throwing seven innings and allowing just two runs while striking out four and walking one.  Buchanan, the Phillies' 7th round draft pick in 2010 out of Georgia State University, posted a 6-11 record along with a 4.82 ERA in 22 starts with Double-A Reading this year.  According to Reading coach Dave Lundquist, the initial plan was to have the 24-year-old make one start with the 'Pigs, then return to Reading for his next start, but things can always change. Tyler Henson , promoted from Reading when Cody Asche got the call to the big leagues, launched four home runs in his first four games with the IronPigs, after recording just four round trippers in 80 Double-A games this season.  Henson has a...

Here's a quick rundown on the pitching match ups and some stats from the upcoming three-game series that begins on Friday between the Milwaukee Brewers (19-33) and the Phillies (26-28) at Citizens Bank Park..  In seven meetings between these two teams last year, the Phils were victorious five times. Friday, 7:05 PM.  Yovani Gallardo (3-5, 4.79 ERA) vs. Cole Hamel (1-8, 4.43 ERA).   In three career starts against the Phillies, Gallardo is 3-0 with a 1.74 ERA and a .153 batting average against.  In four road starts this season, Gallardo has a 1-3 record with a 5.32 ERA.  Ryan Howard is 3-for-8 (.375 avg) with a double and a homer in his career against the righty Gallardo.  In five home starts this year, Hamels has a 0-4 record along with a 5.35 ERA.  Hamels is 6-2 with a 3.42 ERA in 10 career regular season games against the Brewers in his career.  Ryan Braun is 7-for-25 (.280 avg) with a double and three homers in his career against Ha...

The Phillies (24-26) are set to begin a four game stretch in which they will face the American League’s Boston Red Sox (31-20). Two of the contests will take place in Boston’s Fenway Park, while the two teams will then head south to play another two games at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park. Boston has won nine of their past 12 games and are tied for the division lead in the AL East with the Yankees, while the Phillies failed in an attempt to tie the Washington Nationals for second place in the National League East division on Sunday, when they fell by a score of 6-1. The Red Sox have dominated the Phillies at Fenway, winning eight of the last 10 meetings between the clubs there. Read ahead for details on the pitching match ups for the two games in Boston and other key stats from this series. Monday, 7:10 PM. Tyler Cloyd (1-0, 2.70 ERA) vs. Alfredo Aceves (1-1, 8.20 ERA). The 26-year-old Cloyd has a 3-2 record with a 4.27 ERA in eight big league starts. Both of Cloyd’s starts ...

The Phillies (21-23) hit the road this week, beginning a three-game series against the Marlins (12-23) in Miami on Monday night . Looking to get back on the positive side of .500, the Phillies will kick off the series with two of their main stars ailing, as Ryan Howard is sidelined with right knee soreness and Carlos Ruiz left Sunday's contest against the Reds with a right hamstring issue. The Phils have won four of seven meetings with Miami thus far this season.  Read ahead for full details on the pitching match ups from this series and plenty more key stats from this series. Monday, 7:10 PM.  Cole Hamels (1-6, 4.61 ERA) vs. Alex Sanabia (2-6, 5.00 ERA).  In four road starts this year, Hamels is 1-2 with a 3.52 ERA.  In 26 career starts against the Marlins, Hamels is 8-11 with a 3.24 ERA.  In two career starts against the Phils, Sanabia is 0-1 with a 2.45 ERA.  Sanabia is 1-3 with a 5.70 ERA in four home starts this season.  Jimmy ...

The Phillies (16-19) continue their roadtrip as they head to Phoenix's Chase Field to take on the Diamondbacks (19-15) in a four-game series.  Winners of three straight, the Diamondbacks will send 23-year-old left-hander Patrick Corbin to the mound for the series opener.  Arizona has won all six of Corbin's starts this season.  The Phillies will counter with three-time All-Star Cole Hamels, who has a 3.38 ERA in five career starts at Chase Field.  Last season, the Phils won four of six meetings with Arizona, including two of three in Phoenix.  Read ahead for full details on the pitching match ups and plenty more stats from this series. Thursday, 9:40 PM.  Cole Hamels (1-4, 4.34 ERA) vs. Patrick Corbin (4-0, 1.80 ERA).  Hamels is sporting a 2.31 ERA over his last five starts.  In seven career starts against Arizona, Hamels is 4-1 with a 3.47 ERA.  The lefty Hamels is 1-1 with a 3.71 ERA three road starts this season.  In h...

On the latest edition of the program the guys continue to tease Tug's massive announcement and chat with pro pitcher Brian Gump .  They also discuss the Phillies' offensive struggles, Lakewood's newest additions, Lehigh Valley's promising performers and plenty more. Check out the media player below to hear the full episode, or simply download it by clicking HERE . You can also check out previous episodes and subscribe on iTunes .

Tyler Cloyd dominated in the minors last season thanks to a refined repertoire and top-level command. Running through Eastern League and International League competition, Cloyd reached the big leagues by season's end and is in a position to potentially help the big club in the coming season. An 18th round draft selection in 2008, Cloyd began his pro career that  year, posting a 7-4 record with a 3.91 ERA in 14 outings combined with  the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies and short-season Class A Williamsport. Since then, the 6-foot-3-inch  210-pounder has had winning records every season, while alternating  between starting and relief duties. In 2009, splitting time between Class A Lakewood and Class A  Advanced Clearwater, Cloyd went 12-9 with a 3.54 ERA in 27 games (26  starts).  In 2010, Cloyd made 31 relief appearances and four starts for Clearwater, posting a 4-3 record with a  5.32 ERA.  He also made two appearan...

Throughout the off-season, I have checked in with various players from around the Phillies organization to gauge their thoughts on fall/winter leagues they've played in and what their outlooks are going forward.  Recently, I heard from right-handed pitcher Tyler Cloyd , who won the 2012 Paul Owens Award, an honor bestowed upon the most outstanding pitching and offensive players in the Phillies minor league system each year. This year combined with Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley, the Nebraska native posted a 15-1 record with a 2.26 ERA and a .214 batting average against.  Cloyd, the 18th round draft choice from 2008, was promoted to the Phillies late in the season, and sported a 2-2 record along with a 4.91 ERA in six starts in the big leagues.  Tyler was nice enough to offer his thoughts on his off-season routine, his potential to claim a spot in the starting rotation next year and plenty more.  Read ahead for that full interview. - What ...

Phils hurler Tyler Cloyd relies on superstitions Baseball players are known for being some of the quirkiest of all athletes and, as such, they typically seem to be the most superstitious. Many people feel that superstitions and sports go hand in hand. The habits and things players believe can bring good luck or serve up bad luck are embedded deeply in the game of baseball. Some of the best known player activities based on bringing a positive vibe include kooky actions like Turk Wendell 's oral habits, which involved the former Cubs, Mets, Phillies and Rockies hurler chewing black licorice while he pitched and brushing his teeth between innings. Some players are big believers in physical routines, like the manner in which Mike Sweeney would enter the batter's box, touching his helmet and face multiple times, or how Nomar Garciaparra would unfasten and readjust his batting gloves between each pitch. The superstitions that are widely known are those that belong to ...

A late-season hot streak has the Phillies (72-71) right in the thick of the playoff race, following three quarters of the season in which the five-time defending National League East division champions seemed to be out of the mix for a sixth consecutive post-season appearance. The Phils have won 7 straight games to climb the standings and sit within 3 games of a Wild Card spot. The Astros (45-98), however, are stuck in last place in the NL Central and possess the worst record in the majors. Houston has a 12-45 record since the All-Star break. As PhilliesNation.com's Eric Seidman points out , the Astros have performed extremely well late in the season against the Phillies. From 2009-2011, Houston won 12 of 15 contests against the Phils from August onward. Read ahead for details on the pitching match ups and other key statistics from this series. Thursday, 8:05 PM. Tyler Cloyd (1-1, 4.24 ERA) vs. Lucas Harrell (10-9, 3.83 ERA). Cloyd, the Phillies' 18th round draft pick...

The Phillies (66-71) will host the last place Rockies (56-80) in a three-game set this weekend. In the series opener, the Phils will send lefty ace Cliff Lee, who has the opportunity to win three consecutive starts for the first time this season, to the mound. Colorado will counter with left-hander Jeff Francis, who allowed 1 run in 5 innings of work in a no decision when he last faced the Phillies in June. The two clubs have equally split their six previous meetings this season. To read more about the pitching match ups and other key statistical details on this series, read head. Friday, 7:05 PM. Jeff Francis (5-4, 5.73 ERA) vs. Cliff Lee (4-7, 3.52 ERA). Lee is 1-1 with a 2.08 ERA in 2 career starts against the Rockies. In his last 4 starts, Lee has a 2-0 record with a 1.91 ERA. Lee has a 1-5 record with a 4.14 ERA in 11 starts at home this year. Francis is 2-0 with a 5.14 ERA in his last 6 starts. In 8 road starts this season, Francis has a 2-1 record with a 4.69 ERA. J...