Milwaukee @ Philadelphia preview
Citizens Bank Park
Last Meeting ( Sep 11, 2011 ) Philadelphia 2, Milwaukee 3
What looked before the season like it might be a showdown of playoff contenders suddenly seems like a showcase for available talent, as the Milwaukee Brewers open a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Both playoff teams from a year ago are fading fast and look like sellers at the trade deadline, with plenty of star power on their respective rosters drawing attention.
The Brewers were swept in a three-game series at Cincinnati over the weekend, dropping them a season-high 10 1/2 games behind the Reds in the National League Central. That might be enough for GM Doug Melvin to join the seller's market, which also figures to include the Phillies, who snapped a seven-game home losing streak Sunday but are still 14 games back and in last place in the National League East.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Wisconsin, CSN Philadelphia
PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers LH Randy Wolf (3-6, 5.60 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Roy Halladay (4-5, 3.96)
Wolf ended a long drought Tuesday against St. Louis, allowing two runs on eight hits over 6 2/3 innings for his first win since April 30. It was the veteran left-hander's first quality start since June 13. Wolf, who spent eight seasons in Philadelphia, is 3-2 with a 3.98 ERA in seven starts against the Phillies.
Halladay (strained lat) returned from a long stint on the disabled list to hold the Dodgers to two runs and five hits over five innings in a no-decision Tuesday in Los Angeles. It was his first big-league start since May 27. Halladay had lost five of his last six decisions before going on the DL. The two-time Cy Young Award winner is 2-2 with a 4.88 ERA in four starts against the Brewers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Phillies 1B Ryan Howard is hitting .182 since coming off the disabled list and making his season debut July 6. Howard is 3-for-19 (.158) with two homers against Wolf.
2. The Brewers are 18-27 on the road and have lost eight of their last 11 away from Miller Park. They are hitting .225 as a team on the road, compared with .262 at home.
3. The Phillies have had 251 consecutive regular-season sellouts at Citizens Bank Park.