July has been a very kind month for the Phillies, to say the least. After dropping the first two games of the month in Atlanta as part of their three-game sweep, the Phils have gone an astounding 11-1, bringing them back to 12 games over .500. Not only would a victory tonight make it eight Ws in a row for the boys, it'd put them seven games up on the Marlins (and if they lose to the Mets today, the Braves as well), just a few games away from a complete NL East breakaway. But the Fish won't be likely to go down quietly today, sending burgeoning ace Josh Johnson to the hill. By just about any measurable standards, Johnson has been one of the best pitchers in the National League this season, with an 8-2 record, a 2.74 ERA, and an over 3:1 K/BB ratio. He's also given up more than three runs only once this season, and in his only game against the Fightins, went seven scoreless with only three hits and eight strikeouts. Yikes.
Of course, laying down to the Marlins won't exactly be Plan A for the Phils either. After a rough start to the season, Joe Blanton has been an absolute rock for the rotation, going 3-1 with a 2.77 ERA since June started. The last time Joey Bland faced the Fish, he was vaguely ace-like as well, punching out a career-high 11 over seven scoreless on the way to a 5-3 victory. This winning streak (probably) isn't going to last forever, but with relatively healthy Cubs and Cards visits coming up next week, a seven-game cushion wouldn't be the worst thing to stave off a potentially balancing cold streak. So staying hot for one more game might not be the worst idea.
7:00 start time tonight at LandShark Stadium. Let's keep the good times rolling.
The last time the Fightins faced a Pitcher of Johnson's makeup was Johnny Cueto. We all saw how well that went. I feel pretty confident in their chances tonight, so long as Joe the Lumber doesn't come back down to reality.
Let's go Phils!
Posted by: Swift aka PhiPhan5648 | Saturday, July 18, 2009 at 06:46 PM
Unjinx!
Posted by: Swift aka PhiPhan5648 | Saturday, July 18, 2009 at 07:38 PM
Johnson has been dealing early with nasty stuff. Hopefully the rain delay will keep him from getting back on the mound when the weather clears up.
Go Phils
Posted by: Palmer J | Saturday, July 18, 2009 at 07:57 PM
HALLELUJAH!!!
Game is rained out, no more Johnson on the mound tonight.
Posted by: Swift aka PhiPhan5648 | Saturday, July 18, 2009 at 09:15 PM
what's in the booooox...?
Posted by: digi | Saturday, July 18, 2009 at 09:18 PM
can't they just truck it over to Tamp and finish this up?
Posted by: MikeY | Saturday, July 18, 2009 at 09:40 PM
Tampa*
Posted by: MikeY | Saturday, July 18, 2009 at 09:40 PM
@MikeY, Tampa has a Baseball Team? I thought the Marlins were the only MLB team in Florida.
Posted by: Swift aka PhiPhan5648 | Saturday, July 18, 2009 at 10:04 PM
@digi...good call.
Crap. Now I have to go watch the movie.
Again.
Posted by: Mark | Sunday, July 19, 2009 at 12:20 AM
@MikeY
Yeah, except it's a 4 1/2 hour drive from Miami to Tampa. That's like suggesting the Phils and Red Sox drive to Pittsburgh to finish off a rain delayed game.
Posted by: Mike P | Sunday, July 19, 2009 at 02:51 AM