Playoff Push Series 2: Brewers at Phillies

Mets 82-63
Phillies 3.5 GB

Brewers 83-63
Phillies 4 GB

9/11-9/14 v. Milwaukee Brewers

9/11 Ben Sheets v. Jamie Moyer

Sheets 2008, career v. Phillies: 13-7 2.82 ERA, 2-3 4.50 ERA

Has trouble with:
Pat Burrell 7/14, 2 HR, 3 RBI, .500/.563/1.071
Matt Stairs 6/17, 3 HR, 5 RBI, .353/.333/.882
Carlos Ruiz 1/2, .500/.500/.500

Moyer 2008, career v. Brewers: 13-7 3.64 ERA, 8-5 3.57 ERA

Has trouble with:
Bill Hall 5/6, .833/.833/1.167
Rickie Weeks 2/4, .500/.714/.750
Mike Lamb 6/16, 1 HR, 1 RBI, .375/.474/.563

Previously, it was believed that the Wild Card would be unattainable, but the Brewers seem to be fading. They had to grind out a win against Cincinnati to avoid a sweep, and this is a great time for the Phillies to make up ground on them. Moyer hasn't started on three days rest this season, and the rest of his splits indicate he does better with more rest.

9/12 Manny Parra v. Cole Hamels

Parra 2008, career v. Phillies: 10-7 4.03 ERA, 0-1 18.00 ERA

Has trouble with:
No one, yet.

Hamels 2008, career v. Brewers: 12-9 3.12 ERA, 1.1 4.76 ERA

Has trouble with:
Ryan Braun 3/7, 1 HR, 1 RBI, .429/.429/1.000
J.J. Hardy 3/8, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .375/.444/.875
Mike Cameron 1/5, 1 HR, 1 RBI, .200/.429/.800

Manny Parra has a sky high ERA in his brief career against the Phillies, yet it's not because of anyone on today's roster. In the 11th inning of an August meeting last season, Wes Helms doubled home Howard and Rowand to give the Phillies a lead. For most guys, it'll be the first time facing him, and he's a pretty decent pitcher. This game should be low scoring.

9/13 Dave Bush v. Joe Blanton

Bush 2008, career v. Phillies: 9-10 4.23 ERA, 0-0 6.18 ERA

Has trouble with:
Pat Burrell 4/10, 3 HR, 5 RBI, .400/.455/1.300
Greg Dobbs 5/10, 2 HR, 5 RBI, .500/.500/1.200
Chase Utley 3/7, 1 HR, 1 RBI, .429/.636/.857

Blanton 2008, career v. Brewers: 2-0 4.61 ERA, N/A
Has trouble with:
Ray Durham 5/11, 2 RBI, .455/.455/.818
Mike Cameron 1/2, 1 HR, 1 RBI, .500/.667/2.000

This is the time for Joe Blanton to prove it was a good move to acquire him. A lot of people are souring on the trade if they weren't from the beginning, and Blanton has turned in some lackluster efforts recently. A lot of the Phillies have had success against Bush, so as long as they continue to hit him, it'll just be up to Blanton to not give up the lead.

9/14 Jeff Suppan v. TBA

Suppan 2008, career v. Phillies: 10-8 4.63 ERA, 3-5 5.59 ERA

Has trouble with:
Chris Coste 2/4, 1 HR, 1 RBI, .500/.600/1.250
Jayson Werth 3/5, 1 HR, 1 RBI, .600/.600/1.200
Pat Burrell 8/20, 2 HR, 7 RBI, .400/.538/.800

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

Has trouble with:
Likely no one

They really can't give Kendrick another start, can they? How far has this guy fallen? He's still young and has a shot to be a back-end starter, but he has just collapsed over the second half this season. He's lost his command and become completely ineffective. J.A. Happ hasn't been much better, but since neither Carpenter nor Carrasco are on the active roster, they don't have much of a choice.

New York Mets 9/11-9/15
Off
v. Atlanta (Hampton @ Santana)
v. Atlanta (Reyes @ Martinez)
v. Atlanta (Campillo @ Perez)
@ Washington (Pelfrey @ TBA)