Playoff Push Series 1: Marlins at Phillies

I thought of an improved and efficient way to do game previews. Let's see how it turns out.

9/8-9/10 v. Florida Marlins

9/8 Anibal Sanchez v. Joe Blanton

Sanchez 2008, career v. Phillies: 2-3 5.54 ERA, 0-2 8.79 ERA

Has trouble with:
Ryan Howard 3/5, 1 HR, 1 RBI, .600/.778/1.400
Chase Utley 3/9, 1 RBI, .333/.333/.778
Carlos Ruiz 2/3, 1 RBI, .667/.667/1.000

Blanton 2008, career v. Marlins: 1-0 4.34 ERA, N/A

Has trouble with:
Jorge Cantu 2/7, 1 HR, 3 RBI, .286/.375/.857
Alfredo Amezega 1/2, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .500/.500/2.000

The key for the Phillies to kick off this series is Joe Blanton recovering after a poor performance last time out. He needs to go longer than 4 innings, and it would be great if he could pitch into the 7th. We got him to throw a lot of innings, but in the last few starts, he's walked a lot of guys and racked up high pitch counts early. The Marlins have a dangerous lineup, and Blanton needs to throw strikes and stay in control.

9/9 Chris Volstad v. TBA

Volstad 2008, career v. Phillies: 4-3 3.32 ERA, 1-0 0.00 ERA

Has trouble with:
Chase Utley 1/2, .500/.667/.500
Cole Hamels 1/2, .500/.500/.500

TBA 2008, career v. Marlins: N/A, N/A

Has trouble with:
Likely no one

The Phillies can use J.A. Happ and Kyle Kendrick to fill the two TBA spots this week, with the other one being on Thursday. Looking at the career splits, despite being small sample sizes and unreliable, it might be best to start Happ on Tuesday and Kendrick on Thursday. Kendrick has gotten hit hard by Florida this year, and although Happ's two innings against them were awful, maybe he can rebound. Kendrick pitched well against Milwaukee last season, so maybe they should see if he can do it again.

9/10 Ricky Nolaso v. Brett Myers

Nolasco 2008, career v. Phillies: 13-7 3.56 ERA, 3-3 4.41 ERA

Has problems with:
Ryan Howard 2/10, 2 HR, 5 RBI, .200/.500/.800
Jimmy Rollins 5/15, 2 HR, 3 RBI, .333/.375/.867
Pat Burrell 4/12, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .333/.429/.750

Myers 2008, career v. Marlins: 9-10 4.19 ERA, 6-8 5.05 ERA

Has problems with:
Josh Willingham 5/10, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .500/.583/1.000
Mike Jacobs 8/24, 2 HR, 6 RBI, .333/.429/.750
Luis Gonzalez 6/15, 1 HR, 5 RBI, .400/.500/.600

Florida has historically hit Myers, but they haven't run into the buzzsaw version since he returned from the minor leagues. He's almost due to have a bad outing, and a lot of people are still waiting for the other shoe to drop. Ricky Nolasco has enjoyed a breakout 2008 campaign, including an earlier gem against the Phillies.

New York Mets 9/8-9/10
Off
v. Washington (Lannan @ Ol. perez)
v. Washington (Od. Perez @ Pelfrey)

Milwaukee Brewers 9/8-9/10
v. Cincinnati (Volquez @ Bush)
v. Cincinnati (Ramirez @ Suppan)
v. Cincinnati (Arroyo @ Sabathia)