On paper, Randy Wolf should not have out-dueled Roy Halladay yesterday. On paper, Chris Narveson should not out-duel Cliff Lee today. That means we'll have a similar result as yesterday, right? Riiiiigh?
Ron Roenicke will send Chris Narveson (1.45/2.31 ERA/FIP) to the mound this afternoon. Would anyone have guess that Narveson would have a 2.31 FIP three starts into the season? Or that he would be the best starting pitcher (in terms of FIP) on the team three starts into the season. Say what you will about small sample sizes, Narveson has certainly been a pleasant surprise so far this season. He's getting a little lucky so far this season, with a BABIP of .286, but in comparison to last season, he's striking out more batters (9.2 K/9, up from 7.4 from last season) and giving up fewer hits (6.8 H/9, down from 9.2 last season).
As I'm sure you've heard, Narveson started his season with 14 scoreless innings. His third start wasn't as impressive has his first two, as he walked in his first ER of the year, and lasted only 5.2 innings while giving up 3 ER against the Nationals. Narveson has yet to give up a homer this season, let's see if he can keep up that trend at the Bank. In his career against the Phills Narveson is 0-1 with a 6.35 ERA. No Philly has faced Narveson more than 10 times, but Shane Victorino does have a home run against him.
Narv-dog will be facing one of the Phillies 80 aces, Clifton Phifer Lee (2-1, 4.19/1.66 ERA/FIP). So far this season Lee has had one good start (7 IP, 3 ER), one bad start (3.1 IP, 6 ER), and one excellent start, the latter of which was his most recent start. He pitched a complete game shutout against the Nationals, holding them to just 3 hits ans 1 walk. And it took him only 99 pitches. Lee has given up just two walks this season. In has career vs. the Brewers Lee is 0-1 with a 10.50 ERA. Three Brewers have faced Lee at least 10 times:
| PA | slash line | |
| Yuniesky Betancourt | 19 | .211/.211/.526 |
| Carlos Gomez | 13 | .250/.308/.500 |
| Mark Kotsay | 10 | .250/.400/.250 |
Today's lineup:
Weeks 2B
Gomez CF
Braun LF
Fielder 1B
McGehee 3B
Betancourt SS
Almonte RF
Lucroy C
Narveson LHP
In the bullpen...
Sean Green pitched 1 inning (8 pitches) yesterday.
Zach Braddock pitched 1 inning (10 pitches) yesterday.
Mike McClendon pitched 1 inning (11 pitches) yesterday.
Sergio Mitre pitched .2 innings (5 pitches) Monday, but is likely unavailable today.
Kameron Loe pitched 1 inning (19 pitches) Monday.
John Axford pitched 1 inning (24 pitches) Monday.
Mitch Stetter pitched 1 inning (10 pitches) Monday.
Brandon Kintzler pitched 2 innings (29 pitches) Monday.
Phillies lineup:
Victorino CF
Polanco 3B
Rollins SS
Howard 1B
Francisco RF
Mayberry LF
Ruiz C
Valdez 2B
Lee P