After exacting a small measure of revenge by taking the series opener, the Philadelphia Phillies will vie for their third straight victory when they face the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday. The Phillies nearly squandered a six-run lead before posting a 10-9 triumph over the Cardinals. Rookie Freddy Galvis and Shane Victorino drove in three runs apiece for Philadelphia, which was unceremoniously bounced by St. Louis in last season's National League Division Series.
Cliff Lee, who is still searching for his first win of the season, will face the Cardinals for the first time since he was unable to hold a four-run lead in Game 2 of the NLDS. Despite its offensive outburst on Thursday, St. Louis has dropped nine of its last 14 games to fall out of the penthouse in the NL Central.
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, CSN (Philadelphia), FSMW (St. Louis)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies LH Cliff Lee (0-2, 2.66 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Kyle Lohse (5-1, 2.91 ERA)
After three brilliant starts netted him as many no-decisions, Lee put up a clunker in his last trip to the hill. The veteran southpaw permitted a season-high five runs on nine hits in seven innings as Philadelphia dropped a 5-1 result to Boston on Sunday. Lee has dominated St. Louis in four career regular-season tilts, going 3-1 with two complete games and a 1.48 ERA.
Lohse has cooled off after allowing seven runs in his five victories. The 33-year-old settled for his second straight no-decision after permitting three runs on 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday. Lohse, who is just 3-4 in his career versus Philadelphia, struggled in an 11-6 loss to the Phillies in Game 1 of the NLDS.
WALK-OFFS
1. Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins returned on Thursday and went 2-for-6 after missing three games following the birth of his first child. Camryn Drew Rollins was born on Sunday.
2. St. Louis veteran first baseman Lance Berkman will have arthroscopic knee surgery on Friday. Berkman was placed on the disabled list, but will likely be sidelined for at least two months - if not more.
3. Galvis has adjusted quite nicely to the majors. The rookie has played at both second base and shortstop in place of injured Chase Utley and Rollins, who went on paternity leave. Galvis is 24-for-80 (.300) with 17 RBIs in May.