Game 76: Angels at Phillies (2/3)

Anaheim Angels: 44-30
Philadelphia Phillies: 42-33

Joe Saunders (10-3 3.06 ERA, 0-0 --- ERA)
Brett Myers (3-8 5.58 ERA, 0-1 7.94 ERA)

Projected lineups

Figgins 3B N/A N/A
Izturis SS 2/2, 1.000/1.000/1.500
Anderson LF 1/2, .500/.667/.500
Guerrero RF 3/6, 1 HR, 1 RBI, .500/.500/1.000
Hunter CF 1/3, 1 RBI, .333/.333/.333
Kotchman 1B N/A
Kendrick 2B N/A
Mathis C N/A
Saunders P

Rollins SS N/A
Victorino CF N/A
Utley 2B N/A
Howard 1B N/A
Burrell LF N/A
Jenkins RF N/A
Feliz 3B N/A
Coste C N/A
Myers P

It's time to snap the losing streak. The Phillies need to show they can compete a little with the top teams of the AL, because they hope to run into Boston or Anaheim later this year. They have to prove they can hit good pitchers, and tonight is a tough challenge with lefty Joe Saunders on the hill. He's having a career year, but the Phils are due for a breakout offensive performance.

I wonder how close the Phillies are to making a move with Myers. Among the fans, you get the feeling that now is the time to move on. I disagree. He has talent, and he's shown it in the past. You can't trade him for nothing because he's at his lowest value right now. That's bad baseball. The Phillies need to ride it out for a while and hope he gets better.

Game 75: Angels at Phillies (1/3)

Anaheim Angels: 43-30
Philadelphia Phillies: 42-32

Ervin Santana (8-3 3.40 ERA, 0-0 --- ERA)
Adam Eaton (2-4 4.57 ERA, 2-1 5.26 ERA)

Projected lineups

Figgins 3B 3/6, 1 HR, 2 RBI, .500/.571/1.167
Matthews LF 1/5, 1 RBI, .200/.333/.200
Kendrick 2B 1/9, .111/.111/.111
Guerrero RF 3/10, .300/.364/.300
Hunter CF 1/3, .333/.333/.333
Kotchman 1B N/A
Mathis C 0/2
Izturis SS 3/10, 1 HR, 3 RBI, .300/.364/.600
Santana P

Rollins SS N/A
Victorino CF N/A
Utley 2B N/A
Howard 1B N/A
Burrell LF N/A
Jenkins RF N/A
Feliz 3B N/A
Coste C N/A
Eaton P

Adam Eaton should hopefully be able to have another decent outing. This lineup hasn't had much success against him, and we can only hope he keeps that up. After Kendrick's bad outing on Wednesday, this team could use a strong start from the rotation. Even though the entire bullpen got a rest yesterday, it would be great if they weren't used much again today.

Anaheim is a beatable team. They're very good on the road, but sometimes they have trouble scoring. If the Phillies find a way to put a dent in their strong pitching, they should be able to win the series and get back on track. Things don't get any easier after this, so let's finish the homestand on a better note and hit the road.