For as trying a season as 2012 has been for Phillies fans, we still have New York Mets fans to look down and smile at.
The Fightins kick off a three game set with the lowly Mets tonight that could help propel them even further up in the wild card standings. Don't get your hopes up too much, but crazier things have happened. Personally, I don't think it's totally ridiculous to at least talk about the possibility of something miraculous happening. Granted, I don't think it's going to actually happen.
The Mets have actually gotten the better of the Phillies thus far this season, with New York leading the series 8-4 at this juncture. That said, the Phils have lost the season series to the Mets just once in the last five seasons (2008: 7-11, clubs split 2010: 9-9), so Charlie's boys best get their act together over the last two.
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Tonight's pitching matchup has right-hander Chris Young (3-7, 4.33) going up against fellow righty Vance Worley (6-9, 4.06). Worley was solid in his last outing, throwing 6.0 innings while allowing only 2 earned but the Phils offense was baffled by Bronson Arroyo in that 3-2 loss. He's also battling a career-long 3-game losing streak. So let's hope we get some LOLMets tonight to help him out.
Charlie Manuel said before the game that Placido Polanco is available this evening but he's opting to go with Kevin Frandsen at third because he's been playing well. I like it. (source)
Dom Brown is back in the lineup after resting his sore knee for a few days. He'll be batting sixth and playing left field.
7:05 per usual. Watch out for all those crazy Madonna fans at Xfinity Live tonight.
Here's your full lineup: