PHI: 16-19, 5th in NL East; HOU: 15-19, 4th in NL Central
When: May 14-15
Where: Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia, PA)
Probable Pitchers
Monday: Joe Blanton (3-3, 3.24) vs Lucas Harrell (2-2, 4.58)
Tuesday: Cliff Lee (0-1, 2.17) vs TBD
Broadcast Info
Monday, 7:05, CSN
Tuesday, 1:05, CSN
All Games on 94.1 FM
Player to Watch – 2B Jose Altuve: Altuve is enjoying a very nice start to the 2012 season. A rookie last year, Altuve showed flashes of being a future star player on the Astros and it’s translated well to this year. He’s leading the team with a .323 average and has two homers and 13 RBIs to go along with that. He also has a team high in doubles (7) and triples (3) for a .472 slugging, also tops on the team.
Series Overview: The Astros and Phillies will meet for a shorty starting today, and they won’t see each other until a four-game series in September.
Joe Blanton and Cliff Lee will be on the mound for the Phillies, hoping to ride off of strong recent starts by each. For Houston, it’s going to be Lucas Harrell today while they haven’t decided a pitcher for tomorrow just yet.
Houston third baseman Chris Johnson has been one of their top run producers this seasons of far, tied for the team lead with 20 RBIs as well as tied with Jed Lowrie for the lead in home runs (4). J.D. Martinez has also driven in 20 RBIs.
Carlos Ruiz has been on an absolute tear this season, hitting .330 with six homers and 22 RBIs. His .979 OPS is the highest on the team and is 12th in the National League (second among catchers).
Hunter Pence still leads the Phils in homers (7) and RBIs (23) but his average has dipped down .243 thanks to his latest 1-for-19 run. Juan Pierre has been a pleasant surprise, hitting a team-high .351 with a .402 OPB.
TTB 