Phillies (8-7) vs Brewers (8-8) Preview - philliesfan136's Dynasty

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Phillies (8-7) vs Brewers (8-8) Preview

Posted on July 7, 2011 at 04:22 PM.

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PHILADELPHIA- The Phillies allowed a combined 2 runs in their Game 1 and 2 victories over the Marlins. They were shut down 3-0 in the finale, but the series win put them above .500. The team's GM made a another move to further bolster the bullpen, trading Joe Blanton for Detroit's Ryan Perry. In a corresponding move, Vance Worley was called up to replace Blanton in the rotation. Worley is expected to start the second of three against the Padres, who the Phillies will face after the upcoming Brewers series.
The Brewers will certainly have a harder task than Worley in Roy Halladay. Their pitching, meanwhile, is in the bottom half of the league for team earned run average at 4.12. It's surprising, of course, because of the team's offseason trades for starting pitching. The guy who's starting in Game 1 of this 3-game set, Shaun Marcum, along with 09' AL Cy Young winner Zack Greinke, were expected to attribute to a better pitching staff, although it hasn't happened so far. Marcum will get the first chance to get the pitching going against a hot Phillies offense, particularly Chase Utley and Ryan Howard. Here's his and Roy's stats so far this season:

Phillies vs Brewers: Tale of the Tape
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RHP Roy Halladay
This season: 3 GS, 17.1 IP, 1-2, 5.71 ERA, 9 K, 3 BB, .268 BA
Last start: 4/13 vs Nationals: 8 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 3 K, HR (L 3-2)

VS

RHP Shaun Marcum
This season: 3 GS, 17.2 IP, 0-1, 3.06 ERA, 14 K, 7 BB, .235 BAA
Last start: 4/13 vs Pirates: 6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 5 K, HR (W 5-2)

Halladay has been surprisingly unsuccessful this season, and it continued his last start, against the Nationals, where he went 8 innings, allowing 3 runs (only 1 earned) with 3 strikeouts and a homer allowed. He has an ERA above 5 and facing the Brewers lineup doesn't help. Marcum lasted 6 innings, also allowing a homer on 3 hits in his last start.He has been decent this season, although averaging a walk every two strikeouts through 3 games isn't appealing. Let's look at what starting lineups they'll face for tonight's game:

Starting Lineups
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Phillies
Shane Victorino CF
Placido Polanco 3B
Chase Utley 2B
Ryan Howard 1B
Domonic Brown RF
Chris Snyder C
Ross Gload LF
Wilson Valdez SS
Roy Halladay P

VS

Brewers
Nyjer Morgan CF
Corey Hart RF
Prince Fielder 1B
Ryan Braun LF
Casey McGehee 3B
Rickie Weeks 2B
Yuniesky Betancourt SS
Jonathan Lucroy C
Shaun Marcum P

Chase Utley has maintained his status as one of the best players in the league right now over the past few games, and he doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Ryan Howard,or as he is affectionately called, "The Big Piece", has been pretty good as well, but neither has gotten a day off this year, and you have to wonder if they'll be affected by it. Besides those two, another thing that's noticeable about the lineup is the Phillies debut of Chris Snyder, batting 6th. As for the Brewers, they have good players at about every position. The main two Roy Halladay could have trouble with are the two All-Stars, Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder. The Phillies gave Jimmy Rollins, Ben Francisco and Carlos Ruiz the day off, but Shane Victorino returns to the lineup. Raul Ibanez won't return to the lineup until he is fully healed, but he probably will be available to pinch-hit if needed.
Ben Francisco will see most of the playing time in left field, but Ross Gload will also get a chance.

Summary
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Roy Halladay looks to get back on track against a good Brewers lineup. The Phillies should be able to score runs off Shaun Marcum, even without some of their starters in. Chris Snyder makes his Phillies debut, and Raul Ibanez is out of the lineup. If Chase Utley and/or Ryan Howard hit good and Halladay backs them up with good pitching, this game could be more one-sided than you think.