Phillies-Indians preview
7:05, Citizens Bank Park. TV: Comcast SportsNet. Radio: WPHT (1210-AM); WUBA (1480-AM) Spanish. Tonight's pitchers Indians RHP Mitch Talbot (7-5, 4.21) vs. Phillies LHP Jamie Moyer (7-6, 4.76)
7:05, Citizens Bank Park. TV: Comcast SportsNet. Radio: WPHT (1210-AM); WUBA (1480-AM) Spanish.
Tonight's pitchers
Indians RHP Mitch Talbot (7-5, 4.21) vs. Phillies LHP Jamie Moyer (7-6, 4.76)
Three matchups to watch
Ryan Howard vs. Indians pitching: The Phillies first baseman is 6-for-13 (.462) with two homers and six RBI in interleague play against the Tribe.
Phillies hitters vs. Talbot: The Phillies tend to struggle against pitchers they've never seen before. And Juan Castro, with an RBI single in two at-bats, is the only player on the roster who has ever faced the Cleveland rookie.
Austin Kearns vs. Moyer: The Indians leftfielder is 7-for-16 (.438) with a two doubles, a triple and two RBI in his career against the 47-year-old lefthander.
Who's hot
Chase Utley: The second baseman is showing signs of coming out of his prolonged slump. In his last six games he's 9-for-25 (.360) with a home run, seven RBI and two stolen bases.
Raul Ibanez: The leftfielder has quietly started to turn his season around. Since his average dropped to .229 on June 6, he's 13-for-42 (.310) in his last 12 games with three doubles, two homers and eight RBI.
Who's not
Danys Baez: The reliever is 0-2 with an 8.53 earned run average in his last six appearances. In those games, he's given up 10 hits, including two homers, and five walks in 6 1/3 innings. Opponents are batting .435 against him.
The Indians: They're in last place. They just lost two out of three to the Pirates, a team that had lost 12 straight going into the series. They're tied for the most errors (52) and lowest fielding percentage (.980) in the American League. And their hottest hitter is DH Travis Hafner, who likely will be limited to pinch-hitting during this series.
Upcoming probables
Tomorrow vs. Indians: Indians RHP Jake Westbrook (4-4, 4.76) vs. Phillies RHP Kyle Kendrick (4-2, 4.48)
Thursday vs. Indians: Indians RHP Fausto Carmona (6-5, 3.31) vs. Phillies RHP Joe Blanton (2-5, 6.96)
Friday vs. Blue Jays: Blue Jays RHP Jesse Litsch (0-1, 6.75) vs. Phillies RHP Roy Halladay (8-6, 2.43)
Tickets: There is limited seating remaining for tonight and tomorrow night. Thursday afternoon's game is sold out. Standing-room only tickets will go on sale 4 hours before the first pitch.