Doc Looks to Stop the Bleeding in Houston, Avoid First Sweep of the Season

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After taking the brooms to the Atlanta Braves last week, the Philadelphia Phillies are the last team in Major League Baseball that have yet to fall victim to a series sweep in the 2011 season. With a starting rotation featuring one "stopper" after another, its been thought that his team might never get swept. We'll find out today.

Standing between the Phillies and the same disappointment shared by 29 other clubs—Mr. Roy Halladay.

Halladay enters this afternoon's match up against the Houston Astros sporting a 17-5 record, 2.44 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. In his last start, a 5-3 victory over the Brewers, Doc surrendered just 1 run in 8 innings of work, K—ing 9 and walking 3.

Standing opposed for the Brewers, Bud Norris is the owner of a 6-9 record, 3.78 ERA and 1.32 WHIP.

Fortunately for those of the "let's not get swept by the freaking Astros" mindset, the Phillies have already gotten to Norris once in 2011. In his first start of the season, an April 3rd contest at Citizens Bank Park, the twenty-six-year-old right-hander lasted just 4 innings, after getting tagged for 6 hits and 5 earned. All 5 runs were scored via the long ball, with Ryan Howard going yard twice and then-starter Ben Francisco taking Norris deep to left.

If the Big Piece can get to a guy in April, surely he can do it during his favorite month of September. Right?

I mean...let's just not get swept by the Astros.

Manager Charlie Manuel's 9/14 lineup:

1. Shane Victorino, CF
2. Placido Polanco, 3B
3. Hunter Pence, RF
4. Ryan Howard, 1B
5. Raul Ibanez, LF
6. Carlos Ruiz, C
7. Pete Orr, 2B
8. Michael Martinez, SS
9. Roy Halladay, P

First pitch is scheduled scheduled for 2:05 p.m.

"Sweep, sweep, sweep / It's all up to you, [Doc]."

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