Since coming to the Phillies, Oswalt has a 1.89 ERA
Pitching Probables:
Vance Worley (0-0 0.00 ERA) vs.Adalberto Mendez (Making Debut)
Roy Oswalt (4-1 1.89 ERA) vs. Anibal Sanchez (11-8 3.14 ERA)
Joe Blanton (6-6 5.25 ERA) vs. Chris Volstad (9-9 4.82 ERA)
Cole Hamels (9-10 3.18 ERA) vs. Andrew Miller (1-0 3.60 ERA)
After the Phillies took two of three from the Brewers, they now welcome the Florida Marlins into town for a four game set. In game one of the Labor Day double header, two rookies will take the hill for both squads. Worley was pulled from his start in the minor leagues after the first inning, essentially signaling that he will get the call for game one. Mendez will be making his MLB debut after putting up a record of 5-4 with a 4.18 ERA in just 9 starts.
In game two of the doubleheader will be the best pitching match up of this series. Roy Oswalt will take on Anibal Sancez. Oswalt has been nothing short of phenomenal since being acquired from the Astros, as shown by his microscopic ERA with the Phillies. In his last start, Oswalt went 6.1 scoreless innings in a victory over the Dodgers. Sanchez, who threw a no-hitter several years ago has had a very good season thus far. Since the All-Star break, Sanchez is 4-2 with a 2.21 ERA. He features a nice Fastball, Curveball combination and when he is locating, is very tough to deal with.
Even though two rookies are going in game one, Game three of this series could prove to be the worst pitching match up. Joe Blanton will go for the Phillies coming off an outing that saw him give up six runs on 10 hits and 2 walks. Blanton also gave up three long balls in that outing. Blanton has to keep the ball down and out of the middle of the plate to be succesful. Chris Volstad is making his first start since the bean-ball incident with Nyjer Morgan of the Washington Nationals. Volstad threw at Morgan twice in the same game in a lopsided affair. The first time was due to Morgan running over the Marlins’ catcher Brendan Hayes, dislocated his shoulder. When Morgan reached base, he stole second and third in a 10 run game. Volstad took offense and threw at Morgan in his next at bat. Morgan charged the mound and all hell broke loose. As far as pitching is concerned, Volstad has won three straight decisions and four of his last five.
In the final game of this series, Cole Hamels will take on another young left-hander, Andrew Miller. Hamels has been absolutely phenomenal this year and it is an absolute crime that he is sitting one game below .500. Hamels has a 2.00 ERA in his eleven starts in addition to an 18 inning scoreless streak that dates back to August 24th. Andrew Miller is a talented young pitcher who has made two starts on the year. In his last outing, Miller threw 5 innings, giving up one run against the Atlanta Braves. Miller tends to struggle with his command at times but he has very good stuff. He will be a tough match-up for guys like Howard, Utley, and Ibanez.
Tags: Adalberto Mendez, Andrew Miller, Anibal Sanchez, Chris Volstad, Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton, Johnny G, Misty-May Treanor, Raul Ibanez, Roy Oswalt, Vance Worley
