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It always feels so wonderful when the Phillies win two games in a row. In a way, it feels like anything is possible. If the Phillies won two straight games, what can’t be accomplished?
Three? Four?
(...takes a deep breath)
FIVE?
Of course, if the Phillies have won two games in a row, you worry when the fun will stop. Two good games, two good pitching performances, are they really capable of more?
Let’s hope so, because they’re going to give it a go on this Independence Day with the second of their four games against the Pittsburgh Pirates this week at Citizens Bank Park.
Noted top-of-the-lineup stud Ty Kelly is leading off for the Phillies. No, we don’t miss Cesar Hernandez at all, fam. Odubel Herrera, by the way, returns to the lineup and slides down into the 7-spot. That could be due to the fact that, since June 23 (32 PAs) he’s batting .167/.219/.167 while striking out 31.3% of the time.
Oh, and the Phillies are throwing Mark Leiter Jr. out there for his second start of the season. Against Seattle last week, he went five innings and gave up four runs while striking out six and walking none.
Today’s game will be featured on ESPN. To a national audience. On the 4th of July.
YOU’RE WELCOME, AMERICA! AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Discuss the game in the comments below.