Cole Hamels was spectacular once again last night as the Phillies took Game 1 from the Braves, 3-1. They've extended their lead in the NL East to four games. One would imagine that if the Braves don't take the next two, the division race is all but over.
Stranger things have happened as well all well know, but if the Phillies split the next two, Atlanta will have a hard time gaining four games on the Phillies in the last nine games. They'd need some help, and to sweep the Phillies down in Atlanta. An unlikely scenario.
So, the Phillies need to win one of the next two. If they could manage to sweep, the division race will be unofficially officially over. This would be huge in allowing them to rest some players before the post-season begins.
Roy Halladay takes the mound against Mike Minor tonight. Hallday has a 4.41 ERA in his last five starts, but he's been getting the run support that failed him earlier in the season.
Minor hasn't pitched deeper than six innings this season, and has lasted five or less in his last four starts. He's allowed 14 earned runs in his last three starts. He could, however, find some success against the Phillies' left handed lineup. It'll be interesting to see if Charlie Manuel shakes up the lineup a bit to include maybe a Mike Sweeney or Ben Francisco.
Last night, the Phillies won their biggest game of the season. Tonight, they'll look to repeat the results in their most important game of the season.
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