Preview Game 125: Phillies @ Pirates

The Phillies go for another series win against an inferior opponent tonight against the Pirates.

The Pirates have proven to be a pest to the defending World Series champions. Two nights in a row the Pirates have rallied to at least tie the game in the bottom of the ninth inning. Last night the Phillies prevailed thanks to a Ryan Howard homer in the tenth. Will the Phillies, who have hit four home runs in this series accounting for all but a couple runs, be able to put up enough offense to stave off any ninth inning rallies tonight?

JA Happ gets the start for the Phillies. Happ threw seven solid innings against Pittsburgh in his previous enocunter with the Pirates, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out four and walking two batters. The NL Rookie of the Year candidate is 6-1 on the road this season, including wins against the Yankees, Marlins and Braves. He has not allowed more than two runs to score in his last five outings.

Opposing Happ will be former Braves pitcher Charlie Morton. Morton is 0-1 against the Phillies with an abysmal two innings pitched. In his brief time against the Phillies he was charged with five runs on eight hits in a game last season in Atlanta. Kyle Kendrick of all pitchers, picked up a win in that July 1, 2008 game.

Phillies record: 73-51
Pirates record: 52-72

NL East Standings (Team, record, games behind)

1. PHILLIES 73-51, -
2. Marlins 67-59, 7.0
3. Braves 66-60, 8.0
4. Mets 57-70, 17.5
5. Nationals 45-82, 29.5

Pitching probables: Morton (3-6, 5.21 ERA) vs. Happ (10-2, 2.59 ERA)

TV: MyPhl 17

First pitch: 7:05pm

Season series: Phillies lead 4-1
7.10 PITTSBURGH W 3-2 Preview/Open Thread
7.11 PITTSBURGH W 8-7 Open Thread
7.12 PITTSBURGH W 5-2 Open Thread
8.25 @ Pittsburgh L 4-6 Preview/Open Thread/Recap
8.26 @ Pittsburgh W 4-1 (10) Preview/Open Thread/Recap
8.27 @ Pittsburgh


Open thread will be posted at 6:30pm. Game recap will be done over night and ready to view in the morning.