PHI: 33-38, 5th in NL East; TB: 38-31, 3rd in AL East
When: June 22-24
Where: Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia, PA)
Probable Pitchers
Friday: Cliff Lee (0-3, 3.48) vs James Shields (7-4, 3.72)
Saturday: Kyle Kendrick (2-7, 5.29) vs Alex Cobb (3-3, 3.82)
Sunday: Cole Hamels (10-3, 3.25) vs David Price (9-4, 3.08)
Broadcast Info
Friday, 7:05, CSN
Saturday, 4:05, CSN
Sunday, 1:35, PHL 17
All Games on 94.1 FM
Player to Watch – SP David Price: Price will be facing the Phillies’ top pitcher, Cole Hamels, on Sunday in what will be an incredible pitcher’s duel. Price is 9-4 with a 3.08 ERA on the season, top numbers in a strong and young Rays pitching staff. Price is third on the staff with 82 strikouts, has the lowest WHIP among starters (1.27) and has pitched 90 2/3 innings in his 14 starts, second in the rotation.
Series Overview: For once, the opposing team has superior pitching to the Phillies, a fact they haven’t really been used to since before trading for Roy Oswalt in 2010.
Tampa Bay is throwing out three very strong starting pitchers, two of which are established aces in James Shields and David Price. The Phillies will match both of those guys with Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels respectively.
The oddball match up, which will be featured on Saturday, is a struggling Kyle Kendrick versus a 24-year-old Alex Cobb, who has a 3.82 ERA in six starts this season.
Lee has failed to earn his first win on the season through his first 11 starts, compiling a 3.48 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in those 11 starts and 77 2/3 innings pitched while striking out 77.
Hamels, despite hitting a rough four-game patch prior to his eight-inning outing earlier this week, has been one of the National League’s top pitchers and lone bright spot in the rotation. His 10 wins put him on pace to shatter his career high 15 wins he recorded in 2007, his first full season as a starter.
TTB 