Marlins vs Phillies Series Preview

Here we are, the last series of the 2008 Major League Baseball season for the Philadelphia Phillies. The Fightin Phils find themselves one game up on the New York Mets in the National League East. The Mets, on the other hand, find themselves tied with the Milwaukee Brewers for the National League Wild Card. The Phillies end their regular season this weekend at home against the Washington Nationals. Despite being the worst team in the National League at 59-99, the Nationals have played the Phillies very tough this season, winning six games so far in the season series. The series kicks off on Friday night with Collin Balester (3-6, 4.83) on the mound for the Nationals facing off with Joe Blanton (8-12, 4.79). Balester gave up five runs on nine hits in just five innings his last time out against the San Diego Padres. The short venture was one of the worst outings of Balester's young career. Despite lasting seven innings only three times since joining the Phillies earlier this season, the club has posted an 8-4 record in games which Blanton has started. He has not recorded a single loss as a member of the Phillies. John Lannan (9-14, 3.86) takes the mound Saturday against Jamie Moyer (15-7, 3.78). Lannan went seven innings and gave up four runs, one earned, his last time out. Moyer is 2-0 with a 2.82 ERA against Washington this season. More significantly, however, is how Moyer fared against the Nationals last season, in which he took the ball on the final game of the series and went 5 1/3 innings as the Phillies clinched their first division title since 1993. The starter for this year's season finale has yet to be named by manager Charlie Manuel. The Nationals will be starting Odalis Perez (7-11, 4.27) Sunday afternoon. The veteran lefthander notched another quality start last Sunday, but the Nationals were unable to get him the victory. He gave up three runs on five hits in six strong innings. This is the last time I will say this all year, this is the most important series of the season for the Phillies. With a game up on the Mets, they control their own destiny. Let's hope it's Brad Lidge throwing his hands up in joy on Sunday afternoon, celebrating the Phillies' second divisional title in a row. Go Phils!