The Braves and Phillies will face off in what could be considered the biggest matchup of the season to this point. Not only is it in the national spotlight due to being the Civil Rights Game, but the series win is on the line as Roy Halladay faces Tim Hudson. Game time is 1:35 on TBS and Fox Sports South.
Phillies Lineup:
1. Jimmy Rollins, SS
2. Michael Martinez, CF
3. Placido Polanco, 3B
4. Ryan Howard, 1B
5. Raul Ibanez, LF
6. John Mayberry Jr, RF
7. Pete Orr, 2B
8. Carlos Ruiz, C
9. Roy Halladay, SP
Braves Lineup:
1. Martin Prado, LF
2. Nate McLouth, CF
3. Chipper Jones, 3B
4. Brian McCann, C
5. Dan Uggla, 2B
6. Eric Hinske, RF
7. Alex Gonzalez, SS
8. Freddie Freeman, 1B
9. Tim Hudson, SP
Roy Halladay (61.1 IP, 2.05 ERA, 1.50 FIP, 2.20 xFIP, 1.32 BB/9, 9.68 K/9, 54 GB%, 10.9 SwStr%)
(45.3 CT%, 26 FB%, 15.4 CH%, 13.3 CB%; 50.1 Swing%, 77.9 Contact%)
vs.
Tim Hudson (55.1 IP, 3.09 ERA, 3.25 FIP, 3.57 xFIP, 1.63 BB/9, 4.72 K/9, 59.2 GB%, 7.5 SwStr%)
(60.8 FB%, 16.4 SL%, 9.2 SF%, 5.1 CB%, 4.6 CT%, 3.9 CH%; 48.4 Swing%, 84.3 Contact%)
There really isn't much to say about Halladay other than he's the best pitcher in the game. He's making things as unfair as ever with a career-high 9.68 K/9 to go along with a ground ball rate at its highest since 2006 and highest swinging strike rate of his career. The guy hasn't had an ERA above two since 2007. Aside from a six-run outing against the Brewers, Halladay hasn't allowed more than two runs in any start this year while going at least seven innings in six of eight starts.
Hudson gave up seven runs - three earned - due to two three-run homers against the Nationals last time out. It was by far his worst start so far this season. He has faced the Phillies once this season, allowing three runs in 7.2 innings while inducing a season-high 18 ground balls. The Braves are looking for a rebound start as Hudson faces Halladay in the series finale.
Opposing Numbers:
Surprisingly, a few Braves have very good numbers against Halladay in their careers. Dan Uggla is 7-19 with two homers. Alex Gonzalez is 5-16 with a double and three RBIs. Brian McCann is 6-13 with two doubles. Chipper Jones is 5-10 with two doubles and two homers. Otherwise, it's not pretty. Eric Hinske is hitting .206 against Halladay, while Martin Prado is 1-13 and Nate McLouth is 0-10.
Hudson has pitched the Phillies well in the past. Only Ryan Howard has an average over .300 in an extended number of at-bats, and that includes six homers and 13 RBIs. Jimmy Rollins and Placido Polanco are both under .250. Raul Ibanez is .288 and Carlos Ruiz is .273. Ben Francisco is 4-6 with two doubles.
What to Look For:
A low-scoring game. Both Halladay and Hudson are among the best in the league, and Halladay could be considered the best in baseball. While several Braves hitters have hit Halladay well, it doesn't always translate to success against a pitcher of his caliber.
Related Reading:
Full preview of the Civil Rights Game, including a link to view the pregame ceremony online at MLB.com. A ceremony will be held prior to first pitch that honors the Beacon Award winners - Morgan Freeman, Carlos Santana and Ernie Banks.
The two teams will wear throwback jerseys from 1974 to honor Hank Aaron's record-setting season.
For more on the series, Braves fans check out Talking Chop and Phillies fans check out The Good Phight.