Phillies Can Clinch Playoff Berth Tonight with Hamels On Hill

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It's been pretty safe to assume the Phillies were going to make the postseason for a couple of weeks now, but a win tonight (or a loss by St. Louis) will make it official.

Cole Hamels (14-7, 2.60) takes the hill for the Phillies and hopes to earn his 15th win of the season which would match a career high. He was 15-5 in 2007.

The Astros will counter with former Phillie and massively struggling left-hander J.A. Happ (5-15, 5.77). The Phils have an NL-best 30-9 (.769) record in games against left-handed starters. Charlie Manuel will try to increase those numbers tonight by starting John Mayberry Jr. in center while giving Shane Victorino a blow.

If Roy Oswalt and the Phils couldn't stop Brett Myers and the Astros, Cole Hamels vs. J.A. Happ has to be the right recipe for a Phillies victory, doesn't it?

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Tonight's Lineup:

11 Jimmy Rollins, ss
27 Placido Polanco, 3b
3  Hunter Pence,rf
6  Ryan Howard, 1b
15 John Mayberry, cf
10 Ben Francisco, lf
51 Carlos Ruiz, c
5  Pete Orr, 2b
35 Cole Hamels, p

First pitch scheduled for 8:05

photo by Colleen0313

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