Sunday, June 12, 2011
Posted: 10 a.m.
CSNPhilly.com
Phillies (39-26) vs. Cubs (25-38), 1:35 p.m. on WPHL
Starting Pitchers
Phillies: Roy Oswalt (3-4, 3.05) is a familiar foe for the Cubs. He faced them 31 times as a member of the Houston Astros. Oswalt owns a 14-13 career record and 3.82 ERA against Chicago. Last year, he shut out the Cubs over seven innings at Wrigley Field, but allowed six runs in seven at Minute Maid Park. The righthander has labored a bit recentlyhe has given up at least six hits in six consecutive starts and has not struck out more than three batters in a game in that span.
Cubs: Doug Davis (0-5, 6.37) has started eight career games against the Phillies, posting a 3.71 ERA and a 2-2 record. His last start against the Phils came as a Diamondback in August of 2009, when he was roughed up for six runs in five innings at Citizens Bank Park. Davis has lost each of his five starts for the Cubs this season and has not gone more than 6 13 innings.
Previous games
The Phillies busted Game 3 open in the seventh and eighth innings on Saturday, scoring five runs off the Chicago bullpen. Cliff Lee cruised through eight innings, allowing just one run on four hits and striking out seven, while Chase Utley broke out with a home run and four RBIs.
The Phils held on to a 7-5 win Friday, while the Cubs took Game 1 Thursday, 4-3 in 11 innings.
MLB
Head-to-head
The Cubs took four of six games from the Phillies last season.
Whos hot?
The Phillies offense has now scored seven runs in back-to-back games, their highest two-game total since late May.
Shane Victorino has six hits in the series, posting back-to-back multi-hit games for the first time since April 27. Chase Utley carries a four-game hitting streak into Sunday, after equaling his season totals with a homer and four RBI Saturday.
Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro has scored a run in each game of the series, but Chicago connected for just 10 hits in 15 innings off of Roy Halladay and Lee.
Storylines
The Phillies offense could be on its way back after scoring at least seven runs in two straight games for the first time since May 5. Oswalt will look to build on stellar starts by his fellow aces and attempt to pitch deeper into the game.
Sound off
Should the Phillies be concerned that Oswalt has pitched more than six innings just once this season?