Friday, May 6, 2011
Posted: 12 p.m.
CSNPhilly.com
Phillies (21-9) vs. Braves (18-15), 7:05 on CSN
Starting Pitchers
Phillies:Cliff Lee (2-2, 3.66) - The lefty is coming off a solid start against the Mets on Sunday in which he gave up one run in seven innings. In his career against Atlanta, Lee is just 1-2 with a 6.98 ERA in four starts. One of those outings came April 8, when he was torched for six runs and 10 hits in 3 13 innings.
Braves: Derek Lowe (2-3, 3.72) - Lowe allowed two runs in seven innings against the Phils on April 10, but the Braves did not score against Cole Hamels and two relievers in a 3-0 defeat. The veteran sinkerballer has only received 1.4 runs of support this season - the lowest figure on the Atlanta staff.
Previous games
Roy Halladay was strong in leading the Phils to a 7-3 victory on Thursday in their final game against the Nationals. Shane Victorino hit a two-run home run to kick off a six-run third inning for the Phils, while Raul Ibanez finished with three hits and three RBIs.
The Braves, meanwhile, have won five straight games, including all four they played against the Brewers this week. In Thursday's 2-1 victory, Martin Prado hit a tie-breaking homer in the eighth and Eric Hinske also homered for Atlanta. Brandon Beachy allowed just one unearned run in six innings but received a no-decision.
Head-to-head
The Phils won two of three against the Braves in Atlanta last month, allowing a total of two runs over the final two games of the series.
MLB
Whos hot?
Ibanez has eight hits in his last 11 at-bats after going 35 at-bats without a hit. ... Rollins has six multi-hit games in his last eight contests. ... Victorino has hit safely in eight straight games.
For the Braves, Prado has driven in eight runs in his last six games. ... Brian McCann has hit safely in six straight games. ... All three relievers who pitched in Thursday's game - Eric O'Flaherty (1.12), Jonny Venters (0.54) and Craig Kimbrel (1.98) have ERAs below 2.00 on the season.
Storylines
Is it possible that Ibanez could be the Phillies' hottest player? ... This series begins a stretch in the schedule where the Phillies begin to face tougher teams on a regular basis. It'll be important to see how they can open that stretch, particularly coming off an impressive series sweep against the Nationals. ... And what about Carlos Ruiz? Will he return to action during this series?
Sound off
Are you still concerned about Ibanez, or not anymore?
Related: Halladay, Phils complete sweep of NatsBuy Phillies gear