With the NL division races largely wrapped up and the Braves nearly a lock for the Wild Card, the last month of the Major League Baseball season is looking, well, rather boring.
That is, of course, unless you're a Phillies fan who gets to watch Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee do their best to one up each other for the Cy Young Award over the next three weeks.
Tonight, it's Doc's turn.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Philadelphia sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Halladay enters this evening's match up with a 16-5 record, 2.49 ERA and 1.06 WHIP. His last start came in the form of that awful-5-4-Florida-Marlin-Joe-West-replay-debacle, a game in which Halladay was uncharacteristically pulled after just six innings and ultimately granted a no decision. That said, just one appearance prior, Doc stymied the Cincinnati Reds, allowing just 2 hits and 0 runs in 7 innings of work during an away start at the Great American Ballpark.
Standing opposed for the Brewers is 29-year-old, right hander Shaun Marcum. Marcum (12-5, 3.11, 1.09) has been quite impressive in last five starts, surrendering just six runs over the month-long stretch. In his last start, a 4-0 shut out of the Houston Astros, Marcum gave up just 1 hit in his 7 innings pitched.
On the injury front for the Phillies, GM Ruben Amaro stated earlier today that second baseman Chase Utley is more than likely out for the remainder of the series with a mild concussion. Utley was hit on the helmet during an at-bat Wednesday night and has been out of the lineup since.
Fortunately, the GM sees no reason for long term worry, “It’s very mild, we think it’s very slight, but it’s a concussion nonetheless,” Amaro said. “Chase is already feeling better. He’s getting some rest. We’ll know more Saturday.”
News
In better news, shortstop Jimmy Rollins has been activated from the disabled list, and Ryan Howard is back in action at first base following yesterday's "maintenance day."
Charlie's lineup for tonight:
Victorino CF, Polanco 3B, Pence RF, Howard 1B, Ibanez LF, Orr 2B, Ruiz C, Valdez SS, Halladay P
See you post-game.