Phillies Braves Preview

An 8-1 home stand is a lot to ask for but I think the Phillies can do it. If the Phils get out the brooms again this weekend vs the Braves it would cap off a very successful home stand and put the Phillies at 24-9 overall. The Braves are coming in hot and the Phils need to be on top of their game for this weekend series.

Phillies Last Series

The Phils swept the Nationals in Jayson Werth's return to Philadelphia. Cole Hamels, Vance Worley and Roy Halladay all made outstanding starts in the series. The Phils offense managed to score 18 runs and had 35 hits. Raul Ibanez was the man of the series breaking out of an o-35 slump and going 8-12 with 5 RBI's and 2 HR. The Phils have won 6 of their last 7 and are 5-1 on their current home stand.

Braves Last Series

The Braves 4 game swept the Milwaukee Brewers in a series that saw a ton of Atlanta runs. The Braves scored 24 runs in the series and got great outings from all of their starters. After starting the year 8-12 the Braves have won 10 of their last 13 and are really turning it on and starting to play like the team everyone expected them to be.

What To Look For

I would like to see Cliff Lee have a dominant start tonight. Aside from his complete game shutout earlier this year against the Nationals, Lee hasn't had that real lights out game. Offensively it will be interesting to see if Raul Ibanez has continued success at the plate. Look for the Phils to have a certain buzz this weekend as Chase Utley begins his rehab. I think the Utley news will excite the Phils and give them an extra boost.

Pitching Match Ups

Friday 7:05 PM Cliff Lee (2-2, 3.66 ERA) vs Derek Lowe (2-3, 3.72 ERA)

Saturday 7:05 PM Roy Oswalt (3-1, 3.33 ERA) vs Jair Jurrjens (3-0, 1.52 ERA)

Sunday 8:00 PM Cole Hamels (4-1, 2.66 ERA) vs TBA

Overall both teams are playing extremely well and this should be a series filled with very close games. I expect the Phils to take at least 2 out of 3 but of course a sweep will be welcomed.