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NL East Series Preview 8-18-09 through 8-20-09
Filed Under (Series Preview) by mrose at 3:30 PM on 08-18-2009
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| The Philadelphia Phillies(66-49, 1st in NL East) had a good weekend against the Braves and put a slight bit of distance between those two teams now. The Marlins also won two out of three games, so the Marlins still stand 4.5 games back, so the Phillies still have a fire lit under them. This week, they begin by welcoming in the Arizona Diamondbacks who they took two out of three from late last month. The Phillies are coming off a strong week, going 5-1 with a series victory this weekend and a sweep in Chicago last week. They hope that Pedro Martinez can give another solid outting and the rest of the offense will begin to help Ryan Howard throughout this series. Phillies Phandom will have all the information on this series you need.
The Arizona Diamondbacks(54-65, 4th in NL West 16GB) re playing well of late, except for a series sweep in Washington last weekend. They beat the Mets two of three games last weekend and then even took two out of three from the division leading National League West Dodgers this past weekend. They lost a makeup game to the the Braves and will make a trip to Houston to end the week. Probable pitching matchups are below: |
| Tuesday @ 7:05PM EST – Garland,ARI(6-10,4.28 ERA) vs. Martinez,PHI(1-0,5.40 ERA) |
| Wednesday @ 7:05PM EST – Haren,ARI(12-7,2.50 ERA) vs. Lee,PHI(10-9,2.86 ERA) |
| Thursday @ 7:05PM EST – Davis,ARI(7-10,3.59 ERA) vs. Blanton,PHI(7-6,3.88 ERA) |
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| The Florida Marlins(63-55, 2nd in NL East 4.5GB, 2GB of wildcard) had a successful weekend at home, taking two of three from the wildcard leading Rockies. This was immediately after a week in which they came off a sweep of the Phillies and followed that for three of four from the Astros at home. This combines to give them a 8-2 since being swept by the Washington Nationals. They have a favorable schedule coming up to gain ground in the division and wildcard coming up, starting with three at the Astros this week. FishGuts will have more on the Marlins and this defining series.
The Houston Astros(57-61, 4th in NL Central 10GB) are now back to being sellers and playing for next year. Just a few weeks ago, it was possible they could make a run for the wildcard and very possibly the division, but this has changed. Losers of five of seven games, the Astros have even recently traded away catcher Pudge Rodriguez to the Rangers for two minor leaguers. One bright spot is that they did recently get Lance Berkman back from the disabled list. Probable pitching matchups are below: |
| Friday @ 8:05PM EST – Nolasco,FLA(8-8,5.44 ERA) vs. Norris,HOU(3-0,3.00 ERA) |
| Wednesday @ 8:05PM EST – West,FLA(4-4,4.57 ERA) vs. Bazardo,HOU(0-0,5.06 ERA) |
| Thursday @ 8:05PM EST – Johnson,FLA(12-2,2.85 ERA) vs. Rodriguez,HOU(11-7,3.05 ERA) |
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| The Atlanta Braves(62-56, 3rd in NL East 5.5GB 3GB of wildcard) had a rough weekend against the Phillies after climbing back into both the divisional and wildcard races in the National League. They were hurt by Ryan Howard against the Phillies as he produced all four runs last night and hit the eventual winning home run on Friday. They still only stand 6 games back of the division and 3.5 back of the wildcard. They were able to then rebound and take the only game against the Diamondbacks in a makeup from May.They now head to NY to face the Mets and The Braves Baseball Blog has more on both series.
The New York Mets(55-63, 4th in NL East 12.5GB) can not get a break this season when it comes to injuries. This past weekend in a very scary moment, David Wright was hit in the head with a pitch in an eventual loss against the Giants. They were able to rebound and win one for him the next day but could not finish off a series win last night. The Mets will continue to play out the string, even as the Disabled list rises and a victory now means “no new injuries” to them.  The Real Dirty Mets Blog is your place to go for more information on the Mets. Probable pitching matchups are below: |
| Tuesday @ 7:10PM EST – Lowe,ATL(12-7,4.08 ERA) vs. Perez,NYM(2-3,5.97 ERA) |
| Wednesday @ 7:10PM EST – Jurrjens,ATL(9-8,2.99 ERA) vs. Parnell,NYM(3-4,3.50 ERA) |
| Thursday @ 7:10PM EST – Kawakami,ATL(5-9,4.13 ERA) vs. Santana,NYM(13-8,3.10 ERA) |
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| The Washington Nationals(43-75, 5th in NL East 24.5GB) were able to turn around a small losing streak of three games after an eight game winning streak. This was new thing to see out of this Nationals team. They were able to take the final three games against the Reds and the offense seems to have restarted itself. They now will go into a pretty big test for a team that may have found its way, facing the wildcard leading Rockies. There are a couple teams in the division though that will be big Nats fans this week, hoping the Nats can do them a solid. CenterfieldGate has more information on the Nats, be sure to check them out.
The Colorado Rockies(63-53, 2nd in NL West, 1st in Wildcard) look to use this matchup against the last place Nationals to gain back the game they lost this weekend in the wildcard standings. The Rockies took two of three and exploited the Rockies pitching while gaining a game on them in the wildcard and not allowing them to put any distance with others as well. Probable pitching matchups are below: |
| Tuesday @ 7:05PM EST – Jimenez,COL(10-9,3.47 ERA) vs. Stammen,WAS(3-6,5.24 ERA) |
| Wednesday @ 7:05PM EST – Marquis,COL(13-8,3.55 ERA) vs. Balester,WAS(1-2,6.00 ERA) |
| Thursday @ 7:05PM EST – Hammel,COL(7-7,4.73 ERA) vs. Mock,WAS(2-4,5.27 ERA) |
