Pitching, Homers Win Series

I was quieted a bit by the Phillies as I had little faith in them winning this series in Atlanta. They were going into the series 2-7 versus the Braves and wound up winning two. They could have easily had the sweep if Brad Lidge didn't blow his eighth save of the year and the game with his throwing error.

The offense has remained relatively cool but has seen a lot of big flies. Ryan Howard had three homers in the series. Despite the hitting issues, the starting pitching has been phenomenal, including Cole Hamels' recent start.

Friday - Phillies won 3-2: Joe Blanton pitched a great game, allowing two runs, one earned, in seven innings of work. He got support from Chase Utley's two run bomb in the fourth. Howard took Rafael Soriano deep in the top of the ninth and allowed Lidge to record his 22nd save.

Saturday - Braves won 4-3: Fast forward to the ninth. After Hamels pitched six strong innings and a three-man bull pen effort went another scoreless two, Lidge had to get three outs. First batter hits a seeing-eye single and then this is when the wheels fell off. A sacrifice bunt turned into a throwing error by Lidge to score the first guy from first! After loading the bases and getting an out, Omar Infante hit a single between third and short to win the game.

Sunday - Phillies won 4-1: After a rain delay that lasted over 90 minutes, Howard supplied all of the offense with three hits, hitting two homers and driving in four RBI's. JA Happ went 7.2 innings and pitched well despite allowing six walks. Brad Lidge earned his 23rd save, pitching to one batter.

Series MVP's:

Ryan Howard - 4-10, 3 runs, 3 HR, 6 RBI's

JA Happ - 7.2 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 6 BB, 3 K

Shane Victorino: 4-11, 3 runs, double, triple, SB

Next Series: Arizona Diamondbacks (54-64, 26-29 on road) @ Philadelphia Phillies (66-49, 29-29 at home)

Phillies lead the series 2-1. Arizona has fallen out of the playoff picture and they are playing for pride now. The Phillies are trying to keep on top of the NL East, where they have been since the end of May.

Arizona hasn't been an offensive power at all this year. They are 12th in the NL in average while the Phillies sit at 11th. Meanwhile in runs scored, the D'Backs are eighth while the Phillies are first.

The pitching match ups don't favor Arizona at all. Pedro Martinez is making his Philly debut Tuesday and will be looking to impress. Cliff Lee and Blanton will follow him up, two of the Phillies' hottest pitchers. The Phillies will win the series.

Pitching Probables:

Tuesday: ARI: Garland (6-10, 4.28), PHI: Martinez, P (1-0, 5.40)

Wednesday: ARI: Haren (12-7, 2.50), PHI: Lee, Cl (10-9, 2.86)

Thursday: ARI: Davis, D (7-10, 3.59), PHI: Blanton (7-6, 3.88)