With their win last night, the Phillies took a one-game lead over the Giants in the wild card race. They’ll look to extend that lead tonight as they go for their fourth straight win overall.
The pitching matchup tonight favors the Giants as Joe Blanton takes the hill against Matt Cain. Cain has suffered a Cole Hamels-esque lack of run support at times this year but overall has been the Giants best pitcher since the all star break. For Blanton, most of his woes have come early in games, with his first inning ERA sitting at an awful 8.53.
That said, a Giants starter hasn’t recorded a victory since August 3rd and have given up 46 earned runs in 69 innings over that span. The Phillies on the other hand have enjoyed fantastic starting pitching over the past month or so.
Over their last 24 games, the Phils' starting pitchers have posted an 11-4 record with two complete games and a 2.82 ERA (50 earned runs in 159 1/3 innings). They have allowed three earned runs or fewer in 18 of those 24 starts, including Roy Oswalt's seven-inning, three-run victory Tuesday, and have gone six or more innings in 20 of those 24 games.