Saturday, May 21, 2011
Posted: 12:25 p.m.CSNPhilly.comPhillies (27-17) vs. Rangers (23-22),
7:10 p.m. on FOXStarting Pitchers
Phillies: The Phils have lost four of the last five games that Cliff Lee (2-4, 3.88) has started, and he hasnt notched a win since April 14. Lee is coming off an outing in which he issued the most walks (six) of any single game in his career. Lees start on Saturday will be his first against Texas since he left his former team in the offseason. Rangers: Colby Lewis (4-4, 3.81) is coming off his best start of the season, a five-hit shutout of the White Sox on Monday. Over his last four starts, in 32 13 innings on the mound, Lewis has allowed just six earned runs, striking out 24 and walking just five over that span.Previous games
The Rangers have dropped three of their last four games, scoring just 11 total runs in those four contests. Their most recent loss came at the hands of the Phillies in Fridays series opener. The Rangers managed just two runs off Roy Halladay and the Phils posted two homers in a game for the first time since May 5 as Philadelphia grabbed a 3-2 victory.Despite Fridays win, the Phils have lost five of their last seven games. They have averaged just 1.8 runs per game over that span.Head-to-head
Lee has allowed just four hits to Adrian Beltre in 29 at-bats. Raul Ibanez has 14 homers and 69 RBIs in 125 games against the Rangers.Michael Young is 11-for-31 (.355) off Lee in his career. In 21 games against the Phils, Yorvit Torrealba has 22 hits, nine of which have gone for extra bases.Whos hot?
Ben Francisco and Ibanez both homered in Fridays contest. Ryan Madson has converted all eight of his save opportunities this season, and he hasnt allowed a run in his last 12 innings on the mound.Beltre has at least one hit in eight of his last nine games, totaling 12 hits in 34 at-bats since May 10. Lewis hasnt allowed a run in his last 10 13 innings.
Storylines
Lee left the Rangers for greener pastures after leading Texas to the World Series last season. This is Lees first start against his former team since his departure. He is 6-3 with a 5.55 ERA in 10 career starts against the Rangers. Sound off
If the Phillies were entering a playoff series tomorrow, would you rather have Lee or Cole Hamels starting Game 2?