Gload in line-up, Phils catch break this weekend

Although I may act like it at times, I do not have a direct line to God. So I'm not sure that tonight's game will start on time. But the thunderstorm that rolled through South Philly around 3:30 p.m. has moved out and there are a few patches of blue peaking through the clouds. If I had a green screen, I would show it to you. But you are just going to have to take my word for it.

As for the forecast for the rest of the night, none of the Phillies staff I talked to had a good idea of what to expect. The forecast calls for scattered thunderstorms. I realize none of that helped you very much, but a friend of mine with tickets left a voicemail for the inside dirt, and I do not have great cell reception right now, so hopefully he reads the blog.

Some pre-game notes:

1) Ross Gload is in the line-up in right field. The match-up makes sense, since the Rockies are throwing righty Jhoulys Chacin, one of the more under-the-radar up-and-coming starters in the game. History buffs will recall that Chacin started that September game in Colorado in which the Phillies scored nine runs in the seventh inning to overcome a 7-3 deficit, then held on for a 12-11 win. John Mayberry is not in the line-up for the first time in four games.

2) Mike Stutes threw a few pitches off the mound and said he should be good to pitch tonight. He left Tuesday's loss to the Cardinals early after three pitches with a muscle spasm of some sort in his back/side. Stutes' bullpen session was interrupted by the aforementioned thunderstorm, sending he and Mick Billmeyer scurrying back to the clubhouse like a couple of house cats.

3) The Phillies will catch a break this weekend as Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz will head to Triple-A to continue rehabbing his quad strain. Cruz was originally supposed to travel with the team to Philadelphia. The Rangers will also be without Josh Hamilton, who is rehabbing at Triple-A.

Download our NEW iPhone/Android app for easy access to all of our Phillies coverage, plus app-exclusive videos and analysis. Get it here.