Bouncing Back

The Phillies got swept by the Marlins. So how do they respond? They go to Chicago and beat up the Cubs, sweeping the three-game visit to regain some of the ground lost versus Florida. The Starting pitching was the reason this team made the Cubs look like a team who is starting it's decline in the Wild Card race.

Tuesday - Phillies won 4-3: The Phillies got another quality outing from rookie JA Happ as he gave up a couple runs in six innings of work. Brad Lidge blew his seventh save in the ninth and the Phillies got a solo homer from Ben Francisco in the top of the 12th to put them ahead.

Wednesday - Phillies won 12-3: This was an absolute butt kicking to go on top of Pedro Martinez's solid debut. He went five innings and allowing three runs. He struck out five. The Phillies got home runs from Shane Victorino, Jimmy Rollins, and Raul Ibanez.

Thursday - Phillies won 6-1: Cliff Lee continued his dominance in his new home, going eight innings and allowing a single run. He struck out eight Ryan Howard hit a three run bomb and Pedro Feliz added a solo shot.

Series MVP's:

Cliff Lee: 8 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 8 K

Shane Victorino: 4-13, 4 R, double, triple, HR, 2 RBI

Pedro Feliz: 5-14, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI

Next Series: Philadelphia Phillies (64-48, 35-19 on road) @ Atlanta Braves (60-54, 30-25 at home)

The Braves are five games back on the Phillies but have been doing well against them all year. The Phillies are 2-7 versus Atlanta. The Braves have won their last five games and Phillies have won their last three. Both teams are in a bit of a groove even though the Phillies are playing very inconsistent. The Braves definitely have the momentum going into this series.

The Braves have been winning games with their pitching. They are third in the NL in ERA while the Phillies are in ninth. Offense is a different story as the Phillies score a lot of runs, being first in the NL while the Braves are ninth. The Braves' average is fifth while the Phillies are 11th.

I love being the optimist but the Phillies have a few things going against them. Good pitching beats good hitting and the consistent team always wins. The Braves feel they have a chance at the Wild Card and are not going to give up. Braves will win two.

Pitching Probables:

Friday: PHI: Blanton (7-6, 4.02), ATL: Jurrjens (9-8, 3.01)

Saturday: PHI: Hamels (7-7, 4.77), ATL: Kawakami (5-9, 4.12)

Sunday: PHI: Happ (8-2, 2.75), ATL: Vazquez, J (10-7, 2.90)