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Here's what you need to know for this week's BIG series:
1. Mets are 7-3 against the Phillies this year, having lost only one game in each of the 3 series played so far. This is only the second visit by the Phillies to Shea this year; after the debacle that was the home-opener, we took the next 2.
2. Phillies just dropped 2 of 3 to the Marlins. After the Mets took 3 of 4 in Philadelphia over 4th of July weekend, the Phils took 2 of 3 each from St. Louis and Arizona.
3. Pitching matchups:
Tuesday, July 22
Joe Blanton (R) v. Johan Santana
This is Blanton's first start as a Phillie after being acquired from Oakland.
Blanton's 2008 stats with Oakland:
5-12 with a 4.96 ERA in 127 innings (20 starts). 145 hits (12 homers), 35 walks, 62 Ks. His road ERA (ie. not in the Oakland Coliseum) was more than a run higher than his 4.63 home ERA. He should be eminently beatable.
Blanton did pitch 8 shutout innings (5 hits, 6Ks, 1 walk) for the As at Shea [url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=270623121]last June 23rd[/url]. You may also read about a [url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=250614111]good start he had against the Mets in 2005[/url], but given that the lineup he faced that day consisted of Reyes, Beltran, Wright and 6 other guys who are no longer on the Mets, I find his stats that day to be largely irrelevant.
This matchup is an ESPN game for the out-of-towners.
Wedesday, July 23
Brett Myers (R) vs. John Maine
Brett Myers (he of the [url=http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2006/06/24/visiting_player_hit_wife_police_charge/]sadly unforgettable incident with his wife in Boston[/url]) returns from his demotion to the prison international league to make this start. Myers made 4 starts pitching against AAA hitters and will now again be facing major league hitters, who have racked up 115 hits (24 homers) and 44 walks against Myers in only 101 2/3 innings this year, to the tune of a 5.84 ERA. (Also, before you say, "yeah, but he pitches in Philly": Myers' Road ERA is 8.18 (to his 3.81 home ERA) and he's given up more homers on the road than at home. Myers has not faced the Mets this year.
I know I mention how much I dislike Myers every time I write a Philly KTE, but you don't have to just listen to me: even local Philly media is [url=http://www.pennlive.com/columns/patriotnews/jones/index.ssf?/base/columnists/121504833535990.xml&coll=1&thispage=1]not a fan[/url] of Myers.
Thursday, July 24 -- 12:10 PM
Jamie Moyer (L) vs. Oliver Perez
At 9-6, 3.90 ERA, Moyer has been Philly's second best starter this year (fortunately, the Mets -- again -- don't face Cole Hamels this series). He is 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA against the Mets this year in three starts.
3. Philly injuries:
Tom Gordon on the DL again with elbow inflammation. He is eligible to be activated for the Mets series but don't count on seeing him.
4. Pat Burrell:
He's been [url=http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/20080721_Phillies__Burrell_unhappy_about_being_removed.html]whining[/url] about being removed for a defensive replacement late in games.
Miscellaneous
I'm shocked, truly shocked that notorious Phillies hack ESPN national baseball columnist Jayson Stark would be, as of today, [url=http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=21637]picking the Phillies over the Mets to win the division[/url].
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