Preview Game 65: Phillies vs. Orioles

This season the Phillies have recorded two series wins at home. Both have come against the Washington Nationals. This weekend they hope to pick their third home series win, and perhaps get their home schedule turned around, when they welcome the Baltimore Orioles to Citizens Bank Park.

The Orioles are coming off a series win against the New York Mets, which has helped the Phillies remain three games up in the NL East, so don’t expect the Orioles to roll over for the defending world champions. The Orioles have the ability to hit the ball around but their pitching is a problem, and something the Phillies should be able to feast on.

Taking the mound for the Phillies will be Antonio Bastardo. In his third career start things unraveled quickly against the Boston Red Sox, so his fourth start will be a good chance to see how the young pitcher responds. Sure, he may not be facing the Red Sox this time around, but if he is able to give the Phillies six or seven good innings, the confidence level should rebuild itself.

The Orioles will call on starting pitcher Rich Hill for the series opener. Hill enters the game with a 5.81 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP so it looks as though the Phillies should have a good night offensively. Hill is 0-2 against the Phillies in three career starts.

As bad as the Phillies are at home, something figures to give this weekend. Baltimore comes to Philadelphia with an atrocious 8-20 record on the road. Two train wrecks on a collision course. Two wins should be just about automatic for the Phillies this weekend, and a sweep should be almost expected by the fans.

Phillies record: 36-28
Orioles record: 29-37

NL East Standings (Team, record, games behind)

1. PHILLIES 36-28, –
2. Mets 33-31, 3.0
3. Marlins 33-35, 5.0
4. Braves 31-34, 5.5
5. Nationals 18-46, 18.0

Pitching probables: Hill (2-1, 5.81 ERA) vs. Bastardo (2-1, 5.25 ERA)

TV: Comcast Sportsnet

First pitch: 7:05pm EST

Season series: First meeting

Game open thread will be posted at 6:30pm. No game recap though as it is the weekend. Stay tuned this weekend though for the continuation of the current Macho Row Phlashback series on the 1983 World Series.