Phillies Braves Preview

Best case scenario for this weekend is the Phillies enter the All-Star break with a 5.5 game lead over the Braves. Worst case scenario is the Phillies get swept and trail by half a game heading into the break. Either way the Phillies will be close to first place at the end of this weekend as they are currently 2.5 games ahead of Atlanta. But if the Phillies really want to set the tone for the rest of the season, then they will come out against the Braves and treat it like a playoff series. If the Phillies swept, Atlanta would be forced to start the second half of the season with the difficult task of overcoming a 5.5 game deficit. A sweep would also shake up the confidence of the Braves who have to feel pretty good that they are keeping pace with Phillies.

The Phils will get their first shot at the Braves on Friday when they send Roy Halladay (11-3, 2.44 ERA) to the mound who will be opposed by Brandon Beachy (3-1, 3.23 ERA). Beachy has been a solid pitcher for the Braves but he has given up 7 earned runs in 2 starts this year against the Phils. After Wednesday’s disappointing loss in Florida I expect the Phils bats to come alive tomorrow night.

On Saturday the Phils will start Cliff Lee (9-6, 2.92 ERA) against Tommy Hanson (10-4, 2.52 ERA). Hanson, an obvious All-Star snub, has yet to face the Phils so it will be interesting to see how they fare against one of the best pitchers in the game. In 2 starts this year Lee has struggled greatly going 0-2 and giving up 9 runs in 10.1 innings of work.

In the finale on Sunday the Phils will look to finish the first half of the season on a high note by possibly going for the series sweep. Cole Hamels (10-4, 2.40 ERA) will face off against Derek Lowe (5-6, 4.21 ERA). Lowe is 1-1 this year against the Phils while Hamels is also 1-1 with a no decision.

I’m extremely excited for what should be a great series between 2 very talented teams. I feel that even though it’s early July there will be a playoff like atmosphere this weekend at Citizens Bank Park. These are 2 squads that want to head into the break on a high note and both teams are going to come out this weekend ready to fight.