The Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis are set to play the middle game of a three-game series between National League foes at Busch Stadium
Philadelphia Phillies at St. Louis Cardinals
Philadelphia broke open last night’s meeting with a nine-run eighth inning to capture a 10-2 victory in St. Louis. “I’ve never seen an inning with that many pitching changes, it was kind of crazy,” said Phillies outfielder Ben Francisco. “It was nice for us to get a big inning like that, we haven’t been scoring in bunches.” The Phillies remain in first place in the National League East and lead the Braves by 4 1/2 games. The club is 18-16 overall on the road despite winning just six of their last 17 games away from Citizens Bank Park. Philadelphia is 12-7 this June and going for its first above .500 record in the month since 2007.
Phillies starting pitcher Cliff Lee is riding a three-game winning streak into tonight’s nationally-televised contest, including a sparkling performance last time out. He tallied a 3-0 complete game shutout at home versus Florida, scattering just two hits while striking out four. The left-hander is a dominating 3-0 with a 0.38 ERA in three starts this month, as opponents are hitting just .160 against him. In three career starts versus the Cardinals, Lee has registered a winning 2-1 mark and 2.11 ERA, but suffered a 3-1 loss on May 16 at Busch Stadium. He gave up three runs and six hits over 6 1/3 frames and struggled with his control by issuing a season-high six free passes.
St. Louis lost its first matchup of the season against Philadelphia Tuesday night due to a bullpen implosion. “I don’t know what happened in the eighth inning,” said Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa. “It’s just one of those days.” It was an eventful day all around, as the club also placed star first baseman Albert Pujols on the 15-day disabled list with a wrist fracture. An important stat in this matchup is the Cardinals and Phillies lead the National League, each posting a 25-7 record in games in which they are the last to score. St. Louis is an even 10-10 this season when facing a left-handed starter.
Cardinals starting pitcher Kyle Lohse is 7-3 with a 2.88 ERA in 14 starts this season, but has struggled mightily in June. The right-hander is winless in three outings and has a 6.48 ERA, as opponents are hitting .333 against him this month. Lohse has made eight career starts versus the Phillies, bringing in a 2-3 mark and 4.00 ERA. He will be looking to break a two-game losing streak against them, as he is 2-2 against Philadelphia since joining St. Louis.
Bettors will be interested in backing the Cardinals due to their 10-2 mark in Lohse’s last 12 starts as a home underdog, while the Phillies are 2-5 in Lee’s last seven outings as a road favorite
