NewsBlanton aims to continue recent success
Philadelphia (55-40) vs. St. Louis (53-47), 1:35 p.m. ET
By David Gurian-Peck / MLB.com
07/25/09 10:06 PM ET
PHILADELPHIA -- Joe Blanton likes to shrug off talk of his recent success. "It's a little more quality pitches, maybe," the Phillies righty said nonchalantly, almost sheepishly, after his latest gem Tuesday. "Maybe my changeup has come around lately. My sinker is down instead of flat and over the plate, and that always helps. Other than that, I'm just trying to pitch." But something he's doing is working; he has allowed just two runs in 21 2/3 innings (0.83 ERA) in July. But he will have to face a retooled St. Louis lineup in Sunday's series finale at Citizens Bank Park. Chip Caray will have the play-by-play on TBS beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET, joined in the booth by Ron Darling and the always-eclectic David Wells. The Cardinals acquired three-time All-Star Matt Holliday on Friday, which, coupled with the recent additions of Mark DeRosa and Julio Lugo, gives them more pop surrounding Albert Pujols. Blanton seems up to the challenge. He leads the Phillies with 11 quality starts, including four of his past five outings. Since May 26, he is 4-1 with a 2.32 ERA, 59 strikeouts and 16 walks in 66 innings. The one loss? He allowed two runs and struck out 10 Rays. In two career starts against the Cardinals, Blanton is 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA. For the Phillies, Sunday wraps up their second straight strong homestand. They took two of three from the Cubs, beat the Padres in a makeup game and split the first two games with the National League Central-leading Cardinals. They have won 13 of their past 16 games at Citizens Bank Park. And with Thursday's non-waiver Trade Deadline looming, they may return to Philadelphia on Aug. 3 a very different bunch. Pitching matchupPHI: RHP Joe Blanton (6-4, 4.24 ERA)
Blanton is on a roll. He allowed just five hits and one run in seven innings Tuesday against the Cubs. He walked none and struck out five. Blanton started the season 2-3 with a 7.11 ERA in his first eight starts, but is 4-1 with a 2.43 ERA (17 earned runs in 63 innings) in 10 starts since May 21. STL: RHP Todd Wellemeyer (7-8, 5.68 ERA)
Wellemeyer, manager Tony La Russa and catcher Jason LaRue all said they saw plenty to like in Wellemeyer's last start, but the fact is that the results didn't change. He has a 6.64 ERA over his past eight starts, and that's a problem for a team in a pennant race. The Cards have little faith in any of the potential replacements, a list that includes Mitchell Boggs, Brad Thompson and P.J. Walters, so Wellemeyer still appears safe. But at some point he needs to get sorted out or they will have to look elsewhere. Tidbits
The Phillies entered Saturday 18-10 (.643) during day games, second best in the NL. ... Since the beginning of 2007, the Phillies have the best record of any NL team against the NL Central. ... Philadelphia is 17-8 (.680) in its past 25 games against St. Louis. Tickets
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• Monday: Phillies (Jamie Moyer, 9-7, 5.65) at Diamondbacks (Jon Garland, 5-9, 4.41), 9:40 p.m. ET
• Tuesday: Phillies (TBD) at Diamondbacks (Dan Haren, 10-5, 2.14), 9:40 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: Phillies (J.A. Happ, 7-1, 2.97) at Diamondbacks (Yusmeiro Petit, 0-5, 7.68), 9:40 p.m. ET
David Gurian-Peck is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
