MLB Match-Up Friday - Cardinals and Phillies match-up, fighting for playoff lives

July 31, 2008

Can Lohse Keep up his Outstanding Season?Can Lohse Keep up his Outstanding Season?

MLB Match-Up Friday - Cardinals and Phillies match-up, fighting for playoff lives

by T.J. Kendrick

Philadelphia Philles at St. Louis Cardinals - Friday, August 1 at 8:15 p.m. ET

Philadelphia and St. Louis are both fighting for their playoff lives. Either team could win their respective division, though both might be in direct competition for the Wild Card down the stretch. That makes this a very important series.

Philadelphia snuffed out a three-game losing streak with four straight wins. Offense was the name of the game, as Philly exploded for 32 runs over that run. Chase Utley is already having a fantastic season, mashing 27 homers and 75 RBIs, and it looks like he’s ready to add to those totals in a big way.

Utley gone deep in two straight games and has put together a few impressive home run streaks already this season. This could be part of a longer stretch.

Cole Hamels (9-6) will get the call for Philadelphia. He’ll be looking to redeem himself after a poor showing in a 10-9 loss to the Braves in his last start (giving up six hits, nine runs—though just four were earned—in 3.2 innings of work).

The lefty has been mostly great this season, however, posting a 3.27 ERA. He’s traditionally pitched well against St. Louis. He gave up two runs over seven innings earlier this season, adding to career totals of 2-1 with a 3.81 ERA in five starts.

Kyle Lohse (12-3) is enjoying an equally brilliant season. He’s having a career year with a 3.68 ERA and 1.27 WHIP, although the Cards have lost in each of his last two starts. He was shelled against New York in his last effort, giving up 11 hits and seven runs over five innings.

The right-hander seemingly has no qualms facing a potent Phillies lineup, however. He’s 1-1 with a 1.65 ERA in four career starts, including a sterling effort earlier this season (giving up two runs in eight innings).

St. Louis’ offense may not be as talked-about as Philly’s, but it ranks fifth in NL runs this season and has been excellent during the current three-game winning streak, when it raked opposing pitchers to the tune of 27 runs.

The Cardinals are actually the fifth-highest scoring team in all of Major League Baseball since the All-Star break. Slugger Albert Pujols is punishing his opponents right now. He’s mashing to the tune of three homers and nine RBIs in his last five games.

This should be an entertaining series. The Phils and Cards have split their last 10 games and neither can afford to give up an inch right now. Lohse has feasted on Philadelphia in the past, however, and he’s been great at home (2.79 ERA). St. Louis gets the win.

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Written by T.J. Kendrick · Filed Under Baseball, Handicapping 

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