Phillies-Reds: Game 39 Preview

After the Reds tied the series up Wednesday night, the Phillies will take the field Thursday afternoon looking to earn a road series victory against a tough team from the NL Central division.

Joe Blanton will get a chance to lower his ERA and pick up his second victory of the season.

The Reds feel that they have their swagger back, as proclaimed by Brandon Phillips on the team’s website.

However, they will have to make Blanton sweat early. The last time Blanton faced the Reds was in 2007 with the Oakland A’s, when he allowed one run in eight innings.

Taking the mound for the Reds will be Micha Owings, who has a 2-0 record against the Phillies. In four games (three starts) against the Phillies, Owings has limited them to a .213 batting average. The Phillies offense will have to get him figured out quickly.

Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez will likely remain in the two and three spots in the lineup despite the team losing 5-1 last night. Charlie Manuel shouldn’t panic after one game. The shakeup has been successful for the most part since being made against Washington over the weekend.

Jimmy Rollins‘ hitting streak was snapped last night. Perhaps today he can get started on a new hitting streak. In seven at-bats against Owings, Rollins has one hit (a double).

Phillies Record: 20-17
Reds Record: 21-17

NL East Standings (Team, record, games behind):

1. PHILLIES 21-16
2. Mets 21-18, 1.0
3. Braves 20-19, 1.5
4. Marlins 19-22, 3.5
5. Nationals 11-28, 11.5

Probable starters: Blanton (1-3, 6.86 ERA) vs. Owings (3-4, 3.95 ERA)

TV: Comcast Sportsnet

First pitch: 12:35 pm

Season Series: Tied 1-1

5.19 @ Cincinnati W 4-3 Preview/Open Thread/Recap
5.20 @ Cincinnati L 1-5 Preview/Open Thread/Recap

Live blog kicks off at 12:30pm for this afternoon’s game. Time pending, the recap will be up shortly after the conclusion of the game.

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