Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Cloyd (0-0, 2.84 ERA)

Tyler Cloyd is back for another turn in the rotation as the Phils try and figure out who’s up to the task of filling in for Doc long term. Cloyd’s first start against Arizona was good enough for another, but the signing of Carlos Zambrano indicates that he’s got a short leash. Tyler’s best case scenario is to continue to throw strikes, and avoid walking hitters. He got away with three walks in his first start, but that will catch up to a pitcher that pitches to contact like Cloyd. The Marlins lineup shouldn’t intimidate hum, but as Cole Hamels will tell you, it doesn’t matter how well you pitch if your team can’t score. If he stays away from the long ball and limits the free passes, Cloyd should be able to hold down a spot in the rotation until big Z is ready to go.

 Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Jose Fernandez (2-2, 3.48 ERA)

Yes, this guy again. Fernandez has been impressive in his rookie campaign, displaying electric stuff that’s made the some of the best hitters look over matched at times. He’s only made eight career starts, but this will be his third time facing the Phillies already. In case you missed the first two they weren’t pretty. Fernandez has yet to give up a run against the Phils, and has struck 14 hitters and counting. The true test of young pitchers is their second and third time through the league, so presumable the Phillies have some sort of advantage having seen him twice. Let’s hope the third times the charm, because if Fernandez pitches anywhere near the dominance of his first two starts it’ll be another excruciating game to watch.

Game Notes:

It would be wrong to single out any Phillies hitter, as they have all struggled against Fernandez, but Ryan Howard has the early lead in futility. Not only is he 0-6, but four of those at bats have been punch outs. Thankfully for Howard, his ailing knee will likely keep him out of the lineup.

The lone glimmer of hope comes in the form of Freddy Galvis. He’s 2-4 against the young Cuban, and has provided a hot bat of late with Howard out. Don’t mess with a good thing Charlie.

Tyler Cloyd will have a slight edge against the Fish in his first outing against the club. Yes, he’s no Roy Halladay, but against the not so mighty Marlins he doesn’t have to be.

And has anyone noticed that Kyle Kendrick is our best starting pitcher!?!

Thanks to Kendrick, Cliff Lee, and the resurgent power stroke of Utley and Howard the Phils can accomplish a rare feat tonight by sweeping the Giants in San Fran. The last time the they swept the G-men in their home park was back in 2011. The Phillies had a great season that year, but of course the Giants had the last laugh. Sweeping them in the month of May doesn’t mean much, but starting off a west coast trip 3-0 is always a good thing.

Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Jonathan Pettibone (2-0, 3.24 ERA)

Pettibone has been solid in his first three starts. Since filling in for John Lannan, Pettibone has gone 2-0, but more importantly has gotten better with each start. His stuff won’t overpower anybody, but you can see why he’s had so much success making his way through the Phillies system.

He’s only walked two batters in three starts, and has had great command of his pitches. The Giants are in the middle of the pack in getting on base, so as long as he keeps doing what he’s been doing he shouldn’t have much trouble against this lineup. When Pettibone has gotten hit it was the result of leaving his fastball up in the zone. As long as his stuff is down expect another solid outing from the rookie.

Barry Zito (3-1, 3.06 ERA)

Barry Zito’s career arc has seen the highest of highs the lowest of lows. He’s been a Cy Young winner, an overrated bust with an inflated contract, and a World Series winner. Until last season it was perfectly reasonable to call Zito’s career with the Giants a total failure. He signed a 7-year deal for $126 million in 07′, but never had an ERA below 4.00, or won more than 11 games. Last year Zito was finally serviceable, but it seemed a little too late. However, the fates would finally shine on the long haired lefty, as he took a hot 2nd half through to the World Series, where he won Game 1 on the way to a world championship. It’s too late for Zito to fully live up to all those dollars the Giants paid him, but his late career renaissance is happy ending for one of the most likeable players in baseball.

Game Notes:

Pettibone will face the Giants for the first time, as he continues his first tour around the league. Most of the lineup consists of hitters who sit dead-red, so he’ll have to make sure to avoid the middle of the plate with his fastball.

No one has faced Zito more than Michael Young. His numbers aren’t stellar (.235/.286/.318), but he does have Zito in his book. Chase Utley on the other hand has owned Zito in his career. He’s taken him yard, while hitting at a .412 clip. Don’t expect to see Utley cool off tonight.

Charlie will find a way to get John Mayberry Jr. in the lineup tonight. He’s only faced Zito six times, but has taken him deep in three of those at bats! Small sample size or not, Mayberry is definitely looking forward to seeing him on the mount.

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Cliff Lee (2-1, 3.03 ERA)

Lee has been solid in the early going, but his ERA has slowly crept up since his first outing against the Braves where he threw eight shut out innings. He’ll always be prone to a couple games where he gives up a lot of hits because he pitches around the plate, but his stuff has been solid and he continues to wrack up the K’s. He had seven in his last start against the Buccos, and shouldn’t have any trouble against the Tribe. Everyone in their lineup swung big bats last night, so don’t be shocked to see Lee serve up a long ball. So long as he keeps the walks down he’ll be able to survive.

Trevor Bauer (0-1, 5.40 ERA)

 Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Bauer is an interesting story for the Indians. He was a top prospect for the D-Backs last year, and pitched briefly for the big club at the end of last year. Whatever the Snakes saw in him during that cup of coffee was enough to put him on the trade block. The pitching strapped Indians swung a deal for him, but he’s been up and down from the minors thus far. This will be just his second start, the first a loss to the Rays back at the beginning of April. He’s got solid stuff, but his command has been slow to follow. He’s just 22-years old, so it’s a bit early to write off Bauer, but he’ll have to start showing the Indians something soon before they start to lose patience.

Game Notes:

As you would suspect, no one on the Phils has faced Bauer before. It’s anyone’s guess how they’ll approach the rookie, but patience early on is usually a good way to go. Whether or not this lineup can actually execute that plan is another story.

Lee hasn’t faced many of these Indians despite pitching in the AL for so long. Nick Swisher has seen him the most, taking him deep twice in 33 at bats. Lee has also had his fare share of success against the switch hitting Swisher striking him out 8 times. Lee should be mindful of what the Tribe did to Halladay last night and keep his stuff out of the middle of the plate. If he does that expect a vintage Cliff Lee outing.