“OK, we won a game yesterday. If we win today, it’s called “two in a row”. And if we win again tomorrow, it’s called a “winning streak”… It has happened before!” – Lou Brown (Major League)

 Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Jonathan Pettibone (0-0, -.– ERA)

Here’s what we know about Pettibone. He’s the first of the heralded group of young Phillies prospects dubbed the “baby aces” to make his debut with the big club. Fellow gang members Jarred Cosart and Trevor May were shipped out, and Brody Colvin has regressed into irrelevancy. Pettibone was not the likely choice to be the first to get his shot, as he was just a third round pick never wowing scouts with any one pitch.

His success is predicated on all of his pitches working together. He throws a serviceable heater, with a good change, and a cutter that was added to his arsenal recently. Like most young pitchers his stuff is ahead of his command, but the kid knows how to pitch rather than just try to throw past hitters. That high IQ will be important tonight as he gets his first real taste against major league hitters. If big Jon can get through what is always an emotionally charged first inning, I expect a solid outing from the young right-hander.

 Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

A.J. Burnett (1-2, 2.63 ERA)

If it seems like A.J. Burnett has been pitching forever it’s because it’s true. Burnett made his debut at age 22, and is still going strong 14 years later. He’s had his ups and downs over his career, but has become a polished veteran in his time in Pittsburgh.

He won’t touch 99-mph anymore, but that hasn’t kept him from leading all of baseball in punch outs with 35. Pitching in the national league seems to suit him best, as he has established himself as the unquestioned ace of this young Pirates squad.

The Phillies have seen a lot of Burnett over the years, including a world series meeting in 2009, but this isn’t the A.J. of old. He no longer leaves up the occasional fatty trying overpower hitters, so the Phils will have to pick their spots carefully. I never thought I’d say this about Burnett, but I already regret passing on him in my fantasy draft.

Game Notes:

No Phillie has faced Burnett more than Jimmy Rollins. J-Roll made his debut just a few years after Burnett, and the two faced off in many a battle between the Phillies and Marlins. Rollins is hitting .249 (12-49) against A.J., but has an OBP of .356 that is above his career average. Now that Jimmy is back in the lead-off spot, he’ll need to continue his on base success against Burnett.

Ryan Howard has what can only be described as a very “Howard-esque” line against Burnett. He has only three career hits off him, but all have left the yard. That’s the definition of all or nothing.

It’s really anyone’s guess how Pettibone will fair in his debut. His 9.64 ERA at Lehigh Valley this year doesn’t bode well, but pitching under the big lights of Citizens Bank Park might be just the thing for him to put it all together.

He got two .  And then it was 2009.

“Please, just… let it end.  Dear god, just let it end…” Phillies fans all over the country or possibly just me begged their/my television sets.  Nearby in a recliner, their (or again, possibly just my) Roommate laughed maniacally, like a supervillain in the final stage of “Operation: Robot Army.”  It was all coming together.  The president’s gold would be his in no time.

AAAAA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!

A-Rod shockazoolooed a double off a Brad Lidge slider that took too long introducing itself and brought the lovable Mark Teixeria across home plate.  At this point, after Lidge had gotten people 0-2 with 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth and was still in this mess, Charlie Manuel heard the audible gasp from the crowd at CBP and had J.C. Romero start warming up in the bullpen.

Also warming up?  That way too familiar feeling of Lidgean dread.

But this was 2010 Brad Lidge.  We don’t know him very well.  He could be capable of some different things, like crawling out from under a screw up to finish the job, or shooting flames from his eyes.  It was the first one, and he got Jorge Posada to fly out.

And a collective fist pump sent a ripple of ecstasy cross the Delaware Valley; Phillies bloggers (all 10,000+) Tweet-gasmed all over the blogosphere.

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Wait that’s Nick Swisher.

Ha, ha. Just a nonstop thrill ride with this guy.

Man, the Yankees are too cool to even keep track of.  Anyways, if you thought one “hip flexor issue” could keep A-Rod crippled and hovering close to death like you wanted, you were wrong, and possibly a bit of a sick freak.  The man is going to be just fine for the upcoming with the series against the Phillies.  Huzzah.

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