The Philadelphia Phillies with try to clinch their weekend series against the Braves on Saturday and pick up their fifth straight win on the way. The Phils opened their series on Friday night with a comfortable 6-2 win over the NL East rival as Kyle Kendrick was steady through six and the offense launched four solo homers. The win moved the Phils just three games back of the Cardinals for the second Wild Card spot.
Charlie Manuel will now turn to Roy Halladay to keep the streak going. Halladay has a 4.12 ERA in three September starts, and the Phils will need him to shut down the Atlanta lineup to keep pace with the Brewers and Dodgers. But he hasn't fared well against the Braves this season, posting an 8.44 ERA in three starts.
Opposite Hallday will be Mike Minor, who enters the game with a 9-10 record and 4.31 ERA. But the young lefty has been lights-out this month with a 0.48 ERA in three starts. He's coming off a win in which he silenced the Nationals and appears to be in form at the season's most crucial time.
First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET at Citizens Bank Park and the game will be nationally broadcast on FOX.
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