The alt-universe rivalry series kicks off in Oakland tonight, as the once-Philadelphia A's host the Phils. For the city's current baseball representation, historical curiosity isn't as pressing a concern as just getting a damn win and recovering a little momentum in a suddenly-tight NL East race. They turn to Jamie Moyer, himself a longtime denizen of the AL West, to end the slide. Moyer's lifetime numbers against the A's aren't great (17-15, 4.46), but not many current Athletics have seen him much--just infielders Mark Ellis, Bobby Crosby and Eric Chavez, I think. Not that many Phillies have seen much of A's starter Joe Blanton either, but Moyer seems to gain a particular advantage from hitters' unfamiliarity with his repertoire of slow and slower, but precisely located, pitches. Here's hoping.
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