Friday, June 24, 2011
Posted: 12:30 p.m.
CSNPhilly.com
Phillies (47-29) vs. Athletics (34-42), 7:05 on CSN
Starting Pitchers
Phillies: Vance Worley (2-1, 3. 41) will get the ball for the Phillies in the series opener. After getting shelled by the Mets on May 29, Worley rebounded with a solid five-inning performance in his last start. He led the Phils to a 5-1 victory over the Mariners, allowing just one run on five hits during his time on the mound.
Athletics: Guillermo Moscoso (2-3, 3.30) will make his sixth start of the year. He started the year in Triple-A Sacramento but was promoted in late May. In his 30 major league innings this season, Moscoso has allowed 11 earned runs on 24 hits, striking out just 12 batters and walking 14.
Previous games
The Phillies failed to sweep the Cardinals on Thursday, dropping the series finale to St. Louis, 12-2. Roy Oswalt started the game but last just two innings due to continued issues with his lower back. The Phils are 3-3 in their last six games.
Since winning six straight over the last week and a half, the As are coming off two consecutive losses. Oaklands last game, a 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Mets, saw New York starter Chris Capuano cruise through the As offense for six shutout innings.
MLB
Head-to-head
The Phils last series with Oakland came exactly three years ago to the day. The As took two out of three head-to-head matchups in 2008, outscoring the Phils 10-6 in the process.
Worley has never faced Oakland and Moscoso has never pitched against the PhilliesIn 42 career games against the As, Placido Polanco has 64 hits, registering a batting average of .376 in 170 at-bats.
Whos hot?
Shane Victorino has hits in nine of his last 10 contests, notching multiple knocks in five of those gamesRyan Howard is working on a five-game hit streak.
Conor Jackson has at least a hit in six of his last seven games, racking up nine hits during that spanJemile Weeks has five stolen bases in his last three games.
Storylines
Worleys upcoming starts feel a lot more important all of a sudden. With Oswalts back injury threatening the rest of his season, Worley and Kyle Kendrick will need to contribute in his stead. Until Joe Blanton returns, Worley will be locked into the Phillies starting rotation.
Sound off
If Oswalt does miss the rest of the season, who would be the best fourth option for the Phils in a playoff series: Blanton, Kendrick or Worley?