Irene’s acomin’ and so are the Fish!

My Fellow Phans,

There has been a lot of craziness surrounding this series ever since the presence of Hurricane Irene was felt.

As you know, this was supposed to be a simple 3 game series against the Marlins. Well, at first it was a 3 game-2 day series as Sunday’s game was moved up to Saturday afternoon forcing a doubleheader. Now the schedule has changed again and the second game on Saturday evening, scheduled for 7:05 was pushed back until September 15th. The 15th is the Phillies final off day of this season.

So technically, this series the Phillies are playing games 1 & 3 of this series this weekend with game 2 in mid-September. Here are your details for these games, if they happen:

Phillies (83-45 – 1st NL East) vs. Florida Marlins (58-72 – 5th NL East)

Friday, August 26:

7:05 @ Citizens Bank Park – CSN

Roy Oswalt (6-7 3.51) vs. Clay Hensley (1-5 5.47)

Saturday, August 27:

1:05 @ Citizens Bank Park – MyPhl

Roy Halladay (15-5 2.56) vs. Anibal Sanchez (7-6 4.01)

Breakdown:

Pitching:

This short series features the familiar and the unfamiliar.

Hensley has only pitched in .2 of an inning against the Phillies this season striking out a batter and not allowing a run. His ERA this August is a crisp 9.87 giving up 7 earned runs to the lowly Padres in his last start in just 3.2 innings…Sanchez, however, has pitched 17 innings this year against the Phillies allowing 9 runs during that span. In his last outing, he received a no-decision allowing 3 earned runs in just 5 innings against the Padres. In his last start against the Phillies, Sanchez allowed 5 earned runs in 4 innings of work.

In 21 total innings against the Marlins, 15 for Halladay, the two Phillies started have pitched to identical 3.00 ERAs while striking out 23 and walking just 3…Halladay took a no-decision in his last start surrendering 2 runs in 5 innings against the Nationals…Oswalt is coming off of an 8 inning, 0 earned runs 8-hit gem against the Nationals. He is 2-0 in his last 2 starts.

Offense:

Watch out for the young, developing stars in the Marlins’ lineup:

Ritfielder Mike Stanton is slowly developing himself into the next major homerun hitting superstar. The 21 year-old is tied for 2nd in the NL with 30 homers and 12th in RBI with 77…Another talented youngster is a man that doesn’t need much of an introduction, Mr. Logan Morrison. The left fielder is second on the Marlins in homers with 18 and ranks 3rd on the team in RBIs. The young star is just 24 years old and continues to improve…The final part of that equation is first baseman Gabby Sanchez. The 27 year old is quietly clipping along with 16 homers and 64 RBIs this season.

The Phillies are paced by first baseman Ryan Howard, Second Baseman Chase Utley and newcomer Right Field Hunter Pence. An unsung star for the Phillies this year has been centerfielder Shane Victorino (14 HR, 51 RBI with 21 doubles and 14 triples.)

Analysis:

The Marlins have little to play for and judging by their attendance, they have little people to play for as well. Despite their disappointing record, the Marlins have some offensive talent and can put up some runs on the board and they always seem to put up a fight when playing the Phillies.

This season, the Phillies are 9-3 against the Fish.

Prediction:

I think the Phillies end up taking both games this season.

Until we meet again Phillies fans; Happy Readings and Go Phillies!