Phillies (84-46) vs. Reds (67-67), 7:10 p.m. on WPHL
Starting Pitchers
Phillies: Roy Halladay (15-5, 2.56) had his last start cut short by a rain delay, tossing just five innings of two-run ball in August 21s 5-4 loss to the Nationals. The Phils have now dropped each of Halladays last two outings, a streak that has been equaled only one other time this season. Not since June of 2010 have the Phils lost three straight games in which Halladay started.
Reds: Bronson Arroyo (8-10, 5.02) is coming off his best start of the season, notching a win over the Marlins with eight shutout innings on Wednesday. After going 0-3 with a 7.42 ERA in July, Arroyo has rebounded with his best month of the year, posting a 2.91 ERA and holding opponents to a .238 batting average in August.
Previous games
The Phils edged the Reds 3-2 in the series opener on Monday. Cole Hamels was outstanding in his first start since coming off the DL, allowing just one run on two hits over six innings. Shane Victorinos two-run homer in the eighth gave the Phils the lead and proved to be the difference. The win keeps the Phils from suffering their first three-game losing streak since early June.
Head-to-head
The Phils are 4-1 against the Reds this season, outscoring Cincinnati by 12 runs over five total gamesThe last time Arroyo faced the Phils, he surrendered nine runs on 10 hits in 2 23 inningsHunter Pence is 11-for-32 (.344) against Arroyo with four doubles, a triple and a homerIn eight starts against the Phils, Arroyo is 1-6 with 7.13 ERA, his worst winning percentage and highest ERA against any opponentIn five regular-season starts against the Reds, Halladay is 1-1 with a 3.03 ERAIncluding his no-hitter against the Reds in last seasons NLDS, Halladay is 2-1 against Cincinnati with a 2.45 ERA.
Whos hot?
Wilson Valdez has at least one hit and at least one RBI in each of his last four games, a span over which he has also notched two doubles and a home runBrandon Phillips is hitting .442 (23-for-52) during his current 12-game hitting streak.
Storylines
Hamels stuff looks like it has returned. His fastball was consistently in the low 90s and his cutter and changeup were effective in his start last night. On top of the newly healthy Hamels, Joe Blanton is making strides toward a possible playoff return. He felt little discomfort during a 30-pitch bullpen session on Friday.
Sound off
Would you prefer to have Blanton or David Herndon in the Phillies bullpen during the postseason?