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As ZM pointed out in the series preview, what odds against Saunders having a better ERA (and more wins) than Halladay, as we approach the two-thirds point of the season? But that's where we find ourselves, as the Diamondbacks try to stretch their winning streak to five games, which would tie their season-high, done both in June and July. It's hard to shake the sense that the Phillies are playing possum - after all, the last time the franchise had less than 80 wins was back in 2000 - but right now, they're projected for a lackluster 72-90 record, and that discounts recent fire-sale moves.
Line-up and stuff after the jump
- Gerardo Parra CF
- Stephen Drew SS
- Jason Kubel LF
- Paul Goldschmidt 1B
- Justin Upton RF
- Miguel Montero C
- Chris Johnson 3B
- John McDonald 2B
- Joe Saunders P
Saunders has been kinda "meh" of late. Outside of a very good start against the Rockies (and beating should be the bare minimum these days), the Game Scores of his last six outings have all been in the 45-55 range. We're only 2-5 in those contests, but that's partly because we've scored a total of 18 runs in those seven games. sonic has been lobbying for consideration being given to replacing Saunders with Skaggs, who has been consistently good for Reno, though for my money, Cahill has been less reliable of late. The heart of the Phillies offense, with Utley and Howard, can still smack the ball, so hopefully good Saunders will show up, and keep the pressure on SF + LA.