21
NL East Series Preview 8-21-09 through 8-23-09
Filed Under (Series Preview) by mrose at 4:00 PM on 08-21-2009
 |
 |
 |
| The Philadelphia Phillies(69-49, 1st in NL East) are coming into this Mets series playing some of their best baseball of the year. The problem is, they don’t need their best baseball this time, as the Mets are completely depleted. The Phillies have won eight of nine games since being swept by the Marlins two weekends ago and find themselves with their lead in the division back to 6.5 games. Can the Phillies get as fired up to play the Mets as they always can, even though they are so far apart? Phillies Phandom will have all the information on this series you need.
The New York Mets(56-65, 4th in NL East 14.5GB) just want to get through the year without more controversy and injury. This week alone, they lost another player to injury (Wright), released Livan Hernandez, activated Billy Wagner, but had a blow up from Sheffield. At the least this gives people things to write and talk about in an otherwise dismal year for the Mets. Can they play a bit of a spoiler this weekend? The Real Dirty Mets Blog will have more. Probable pitching matchups are below: |
| Friday @ 7:10PM EST – Hamels,PHI(7-7,4.69 ERA) vs. Pelfrey,NYM(8-8,4.75 ERA) |
| Saturday @ 7:10PM EST – Happ,PHI(9-2,2.66 ERA) vs. Redding,NYM(1-4,6.53 ERA) |
| Sunday @ 1:10PM EST – Martinez,PHI(1-0,4.50 ERA) vs. Perez,NYM(3-3,6.06 ERA) |
| Monday @ 1:10PM EST – Lee,PHI(11-9,2.72 ERA) vs. Parnell,NYM(3-5,4.74 ERA) |
 |
|
 |
| The Florida Marlins(64-57, 2nd in NL East 6.5GB, 4GB of wildcard) could not take care of business this week against a weak opponent and therefore lost ground in both races. The Astros were able to take two of three games from the Marlins in Houston, and both the Phillies and Colorado Rockies swept their sets to push them into a tie with the Braves in both races at 6.5 games back. They need to rebound and get some help from other teams this weekend. FishGuts will have more on the Marlins and this defining series.
The Atlanta Braves(64-57, 2nd in NL East 6.5GB, 4GB of wildcard) did exactly what they had to this week in New York and won the series. It did not look good as they blew a four run lead in the first game but rebounded very well in game two and even beating Johan Santana in the third game. They continue a division rival week as they welcome in the Marlins who they are tied with currently to see who comes out ahead after the series. Check out The Braves Baseball Blog for more. Probable pitching matchups are below: |
| Friday @ 7:30PM EST – Sanchez,FLA(1-4,5.55 ERA) vs. Vazquez,ATL(10-8,2.99 ERA) |
| Saturday @ 7:00PM EST – Volstad,FLA(9-9,4.61 ERA) vs. Hanson,ATL(8-2,3.05 ERA) |
| Sunday @ 1:30PM EST – Nolasco,FLA(9-8,5.22 ERA) vs. Lowe,ATL(12-8,4.45 ERA) |
 |
|
 |
| The Washington Nationals(43-78, 5th in NL East 27.5GB) came out of a solid weekend where they rebounded from a three game losing streak to win the final three of a four game set in Cincinnati. They then welcomed in the Wild card leading Rockies and lost all three to them to get back into a losing streak. They will be the only National League East team not playing a division rival this weekend as they welcome in the Brew-Crew. They hope to rebound again as they did last weekend, check out CenterfieldGate for more.
The Milwaukee Brewers(58-62, 4th in NL Central 10.5GB) are now completely floundering, losers of seven of their past ten games and falling to fourth as the Cardinals surge to the division lead. They will hope to rebound and see if they can get any help from other teams this weekend, but likely spoiler is their best role throughout the season. Probable pitching matchups are below: |
| Friday @ 7:05PM EST – Looper,MIL(10-6,5.03 ERA) vs. Martin,WAS(2-2,4.61 ERA) |
| Saturday @ 7:05PM EST – Burns,MIL(3-4,5.36 ERA) vs. Lannan,WAS(8-9,3.68 ERA) |
| Sunday @ 1:35PM EST – Parra,MIL(8-9,6.33 ERA) vs. Stammen,WAS(3-6,5.13 ERA) |
| Monday @ 4:35PM EST – Gallardo(11-10,3.56 ERA) vs. Balester,WAS(1-3,6.75 ERA) |
