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Philadelphia Phillies --(15-19, 7 GB, NL East)

Coming off an extended 10 game road-trip, on which they went 4-6, the Philadelphia Phillies host the Cubs for a weekend series, (May 11th-13th). This will be the Cubs first look at the Phillies and the start of seven straight games for the Cubs against NL East foes.

Inside The Numbers -- Offense:
The Cubs’ pitchers will have their hands full with one of the better offenses in the NL. The Phillies have no problem getting on base, .358, 1st NL; they also hit well too, .268, 4th NL; while their team SLG, .425, is good for 6th in the NL. The team averages about 5 R/PG.

Jimmy Rollins had an unbelievable April, (.297/.366/.613), with 9 HR. While his May, BA, (.310) and SLG, (.500) have been good, Rollins has not gotten on base much this month, (.326 OBA). Rollins will steal bases, (8 SB/1 CS). In fact, the whole team is 2nd in the NL, with 30 SB. Continuing the trend of getting on base, RF, Shane Victorino, not only gets on, (.363 OBA), but will steal bases too, (13 SB/2 CS). Chase Utley can flat out hit, in any month or any stadium. (.289/.381/.548). The Cubs may not have a chance to face last year’s NL MVP, Ryan Howard, (.204/.380/.429). Howard’s been battling knee and quad injuries. He’s scheduled to meet with team orthopedists today, (May 11th). Former White Sox, Aaron Rowand, is another player who had an out of this-world April, (.378/.462/.622). However, Rowand is cooling off, (last 7 days, .286/.323/.357). Pat Burrell, LF, has had no problem getting on base either, (.419 OBA). But the rest of Burrell’s numbers leave something to be desired, (.237BA, .330SLG).

Inside The Numbers -- Starting Pitching:
The Phillies’ pitching has been disappointing thus far. 14th in ERA, 4.60; 11th in WHIP, 1.42; while turning in just 17 QS, 11th in the NL.

Friday night, the Phillies send lefty, Cole Hamels, (4-1, 3.59 ERA, 1.32 WHIP) out to face the Cubs. Hamels has a great four-seam fastball that will sit in the low 90s. His change-up is a devastating pitch; it looks just like his fastball leaving his hand. He will mix in a plus curveball too. Hamels has been hit during May, (.298 BAA). And while only giving up 3 HR in five April starts, Hamels has given up 2HR in two starts this month.

Saturday afternoon, Freddy Garcia, (1-2, 5.33 ERA, 1.46 WHIP) takes the ball. Garcia has a nice fastball, which sits 92-94. He will also work in a change-up. Garcia just had an incident with a golf-cart in SF, but pitched just fine the next day. Lefties have had nice success against Garcia, (.340/.382/.574).

Jon Lieber, (1-1, 3.33 ERA, 1.30 WHIP), will head to the mound for the Sunday finale. Lieber works fast and when he’s on; his sinker will produce lots of groundball outs. Lieber was originally slated to start Friday’s game, but has been bothered by a cut on his pitching hand. Lieber is another pitcher who’s had trouble with lefties, (.255/.379/.477).

Bullpen:
With Tom Gordon on the DL, Manager, Charlie Manuel, moved former starter, Brett Myers, (0-2, 3 SV, 5.53 ERA) to the pen. Myers has adapted to the move well, posting a 0.73 ERA as a reliever. Antonio Alfonseca, (1-1, 4.86 ERA, 1.62 WHIP), has been used by Manuel in almost any situation. Geoff Geary, (0-1, 1.59 ERA, 1.12 WHIP), will be used to get tough right-handed hitters out.

Coming off a disappointing three game series with the Pirates, the Cubs have a chance to get back to winning ways against the struggling Phillies. The Phillies find themselves with a 6-7 record at home and a manager on the hot-seat. Look for the Cubs to take advantage of hitter friendly, Citizen’s Bank Park.