Braves at Phillies
Cliff Lee did not win his first game in 2012 until July 4, but the Philadelphia left-hander can reach double digits in victories on July 5 this season when the Phillies host the Atlanta Braves on Friday. Lee already owns one dominant performance against the National League East-leading Braves this season, holding them to two hits in eight shutout innings on April 4 in Atlanta. The Phillies had dropped three out of four before beating the Pirates 6-4 on Thursday, wrapping up a 10-game road trip at 5-5.
The Braves hold a six-game lead on Washington and an 8 1/2-game advantage over Philadelphia, but Atlanta begins a nine-game road trip after losing a home series to lowly Miami. Catcher Brian McCann has five multi-hit games in his past eight contests, hitting .419 with three homers and 11 RBIs. Atlanta and Philadelphia have not met since the Braves won two of three in the opening series of the season.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports South (Atlanta), CSN (Philadelphia)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Tim Hudson (4-7, 4.22 ERA) vs. Phillies LH Cliff Lee (9-2, 2.59).
After defeating the New York Mets on May 5, Hudson has posted an 0-6 mark in his past 10 starts. He received a no-decision Saturday against Arizona, surrendered four runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings. Hudson faced Philadelphia in the season opener on April 1, receiving a no-decision by allowing three runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings.
Lee ranks fifth in the NL in strikeouts (115) and ninth in ERA, and the 34-year-old already has surpassed last season’s win total of six. He finished 3-0 with 52 strikeouts in six June starts - including fanning 10 in a no-decision Saturday at Los Angeles. Lee is 5-4 with a 2.74 ERA in 11 career starts against Atlanta.
WALK-OFFS
1. CF Ben Revere, who hit .393 on the Phillies’ road trip, is batting .333 since May 1.
2. Philadelphia is 19-12 against NL East opponents this season - after finishing 33-39 against division foes in 2012.
3. Atlanta is 32-7 when scoring first, although it squandered a 3-0 lead in Thursday’s 4-3 loss to Miami.