Series Preview: Reds

Phillies (40-33; 3rd in NL East) at Cincinnati Reds (42-34; 1st in NL Central)

Where: Great American Ball Park (Cincy, OH)
Discussion: Liberty Bell Sports

Probable Pitchers
Mon: Kyle Kendrick (4-2, 4.71) vs. Johnny Cueto (7-2, 3.97)
Tues: Joe Blanton (3-5, 6.53) vs. Mike Leake (5-1, 2.92)
Wed: Roy Halladay (9-6, 2.29) vs. Aaron Harang (6-7, 5.07)

Broadcast
Mon: 7:10, CSN
Tues: 7:10, CSN
Wed: 12:35, CSN
*all games on 1210 AM

Hot (last 7) – Chase Utley: .360 (9-for-25), 4 R, 4 RBI.
Not: Phils are winners of 5-of-6 and 8-of-11, there isn’t anyone consistently struggling.

Player to Watch – Scott Rolen: He has been a phenomenal story this year. The former Phillies all star third baseman is enjoying a nice season after battling shoulder and back problems the past few years, preventing him from being the power-hitting gold glover he was in Philadelphia and on the world champion Cardinals. Rolen’s batting .300 with 16 homers and 50 RBIs. He’s also slugging his highest (.571) since 2004. Though it will be hard for me to root against him seeing as he’s a boy-hood idol of mine. Sorry Scotty but you’re the enemy for three days (though for other fans, he’s an enemy 365 days of the year).

Series Overview: The Phillies are rolling and are two games down to the Braves and Mets, considerable ground gained from over a week ago… Cincy is throwing out two of their better pitchers on the mound, including Mike Leake, a rookie phenom who is having the attention from him taken away by a certain Stephen Strasburg… Cincy is a lot stronger at home (25-18) while the Phillies are 50/50 on the road (18-17)… Phils won last year’s series 5-2… The Phillies are starting a seven-game road trip.

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