A must-win game in April? The 14th game of the year? You better believe it.
As awesome as the Phillies have been so far in this young season, things could change very quickly should the team not own first place after today.
The Phillies need to knock the Marlins outta the yard today and take a 2-game edge in the division.
The Phillies are a remarkable 9-4; the Marlins are right on their tails with an 8-5 mark. Let’s face it, a loss to the Marlins today would hurt for a number of reasons.
First, it would be the Phillies first two-game skid of the year — something that shouldn’t happen often with four stoppers on the staff.
Second, it would mean the Phillies lost twice to a young, hungry team that could challenge for the dvision.
Third, it would drop the Phillies into a tie for first against a team they were up two games on before the season,.
Fourth, you need to see two quality games from Cole Hamels after his spring and putrid opening start against the Mets.
The good news is the numbers are on Hamels and the Phils side. Hamels was 2-1 with an ungodly 1.25 ERA last year. Conversly, the Marlins starter, Anibel Sanchez, does not fair well against Philly. He’s 3-6 with a 5.03 ERA against the Fightins over the last three years. So far this season, he’s 0-1 with a 6.97 ERA.
Think Ryan, JRoll, Shane, Polly and Chooch aren’t licking their chops right now.
The Phillies need a win today to send the Marlins out just as they came in — two games behind the four-time, four-time, four-time, four-time defending NL East Champs.
