The San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies finish off a four-game series Monday afternoon at steamy Citizens Bank Park

San Diego Padres at Philadelphia Phillies

San Diego has now lost 10 consecutive games against Philadelphia after dropping a 5-3 contest Sunday afternoon.  The Padres are now an even 3-3 on their two-city, seven-game road trip and in danger of getting swept by the National League’s best team.  Despite the most recent loss, the team is still possesses a winning 21-17 record in day games.  In order to end its misery against today’s opponent and end the tip with a winning record, manager Bud Black’s pitching staff will need to come up big.  The Padres’ 2.66 ERA in July leads the majors and the bullpen currently paces the NL (2.84).  San Diego is 12-17 versus left-handed starters this year.

Padres starting pitcher Aaron Harang is 8-2 with a 3.29 ERA in 16 starts this season and has won four straight decisions.  He tallied a 14-3 road win over the Marlins last time out, giving up three runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings.  Harang has been tremendous since coming off the disabled list on July 9, posting a 1-0 mark and 1.47 ERA.  The right-hander is a perfect 3-0 with a 4.01 ERA in six road starts, issuing 13 walks and registering 32 strikeouts in 33 2/3 frames.  In 11 career games (10 starts) versus the Phillies, the San Diego State product is 2-2 with a 5.22 ERA, including an even 1-1 mark and 5.00 ERA in five outings at Citizens Bank Park.

Philadelphia continues to march on to an almost inevitable playoff berth owns the largest division lead in baseball.  The Phillies have won the first three games of their 10-game homestand and have garnered a dominating 37-15 overall record at Citizens Bank Park.  It’s also important to note that the club has won eight straight series at the venue and will seek redemption in welcoming the World Series Champion San Francisco Giants for a three-game series Tuesday.  Since 2008, the Phillies have posted an NL-best 73-39 record against western foes.  Philadelphia is 25-10 in day games this season and 34-17 when facing teams with a losing mark.

Phillies starting pitcher Cliff Lee is 9-6 with a 2.83 ERA in 20 starts this season and is looking to pick up his first victory in July.  The left-hander is 0-1 with a 3.80 ERA in three starts this month, which is a far cry from his performance in June.  Lee tallied a perfect 5-0 mark and 0.21 ERA in five starts last month, as opposing hitters hit just .151 against him.  He has tallied a brilliant 7-1 record and 1.61 ERA in 11 home starts, surrendering just four home runs in 84 innings.  In four career outings versus the Padres, the former Cy Young winner is 1-1 with a 4.05 ERA, issuing just two walks in 26 2/3 innings.

Bettors will likely back the Phillies due to their 7-1 mark in Lee’s starts versus the NL West, while the Padres are 1-10 in their last 11 road games versus left-handed pitchers