Friday, June 10, 2011
Posted: 12:30 p.m.
CSNPhilly.com
Phillies (37-26) at Cubs (25-36), 7:05 p.m. on CSN
Starting Pitchers
Phillies: Roy Halladay (8-3, 2.56) is looking to win his third straight start. He is 3-0 with a 3.41 ERA in his last four outings following Sunday's 7-3 win over Pittsburgh in which he gave up two runs in seven innings. However, against the Cubs, the Phils' ace is just 0-3 with a 4.50 ERA.
Cubs: Carlos Zambrano (5-2, 3.98) has also pitched well of late, going 1-0 with a 2.03 ERA in his last four starts. In eight lifetime starts against the Phils, the veteran righty is 4-3 with a 3.62 ERA.
Previous games
The Phillies dropped Thursday's series opener, 4-3, in 11 innings despite an early three-run homer from Jimmy Rollins. Chicago tied it in the ninth when Geovany Soto homered against Ryan Madson, who had not blown a save all season. Two innings later, it was sloppy defense by the Phillies - capped by a throwing error from Placido Polanco - that sent the Phils to their second straight loss. Meanwhile, the Cubs have won back-to-back games since snapping an eight-game losing streak.
Head-to-head
The Cubs took four of six games from the Phillies last season. Thursday's contest was the first matchup between the teams this year.
Whos hot?
Nobody on the Phillies is particularly hot, though Chase Utley has hit safely in five of his last six starts and has drawn a walk in four straight games. And Polanco has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games.
MLB
For Chicago, Carlos Pena went 2-for-5 in Thursday's contest and has driven in six runs over his last six games. And Starlin Castro contributed two hits, a walk and a stolen base in the series opener.
Storylines
The Phillies' offense continues to be pretty brutal, having averaged 2.5 runs over their last four games. Thursday's game marked the eighth time in nine games they've scored three runs or fewer. ... How will Madson bounce back after blowing his first save? ... And the bullpen was used so extensively last night, it's critical that Halladay gives the Phillies a solid outing tonight.
Sound off
Who has been the better pitcher this season - Roy Halladay or Cole Hamels?
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