PHI: 22-11, 1st in NL East; FLA: 20-13, 2nd in NL East
When: May 9-11
Where: Pick-A-Name Stadium (Miami, FL)
Probable Pitchers
Monday: Joe Blanton (0-1, 5.92) vs. Javier Vazquez (2-2, 6.39)
Tuesday: Roy Halladay (5-1, 2.19) vs. Josh Johnson (3-1, 1.68)
Wednesday: Cliff Lee (2-3, 3.69) vs Ricky Nolasco (3-0, 3.23)
Broadcast Info
Monday, 7:10, CSN
Tuesday, 7:10, CSN
Wednesday, 7:10, CSN
All Games on 1210 AM
Player to Watch – Gaby Sanchez: On a team that has great players like Hanley Ramirez and Mike Stanton, Gaby Sanchez has stood out in 2011.
Sanchez is having himself a fantastic start as he is hitting .328 with five home runs and 20 RBIs. Sanchez really burst onto the scene last year as he made a name for himself with the Marlins knocking in 85 runs. He is a clear power hitter that has proved to be dangerous so far this season.
He is hitting .410 in his last 10 games, proving that is off to more than just a hot start. Look for Sanchez to be a major building block in the Marlins future.
Overview: This series is just another test for the Phillies early on. After dropping two of three to Atlanta, the Phillies are looking to get some solid division wins under their belt.
The series is highlighted by a pitching match-up for the ages. On Tuesday, Roy Halladay will face off against Marlins ace Josh Johnson. Both pitchers are in the top five in ERA. Johnson is second with a 1.68 ERA and Doc is fifth with a 2.19 ERA.
The one statistic that really jumps out is that Johnson has only allowed nine runs so far this season in 48.1 innings. Johnson has always had great stuff and it was just a matter of putting his talent together and he certainly has this year.
The final two games of the series really provide excellent pitching matchups. In the third game, Cliff Lee faces off against Ricky Nolasco.
Surprisingly Nolasco has the better numbers of the two with his undefeated record and 3.23 ERA.
Lee hasn’t had the run support through most of his start this year. On Friday, Lee struck out 16 Braves hitters and still came away with a loss.
A series victory will come down to the Phillies lineup and if they can swing the bats. Raul Ibanez needs to continue his hot streak and a few Ryan Howard long balls wouldn’t hurt either.
TTB 