The Battle of Pennsylvania

Now that the Pennsylvania Primaries are over, the Pirates and Phillies can duke it out for best team in the state.

This shouldn't be too much of a battle. The Phillies enter the game winners of four of five games while the Pirate's pitching cannot get anyone out.

Feast away Pat Burrell and Chase Utley. I wrote yesterday about the absolutely ridonkulous numbers the due are putting up. Zack Duke hasn't really been getting anyone out this year or last year or the year before that. It's been a rough three years for him since having a great rookie season (8-2, 1.81 ERA in 2005).

In 2008, Duke has pitched a little better than 2006 and 2007, but has still struggled. He's 0-1 with a 4.37 ERA and very high WHIP at 1.76. Hitters are smacking him around at a clip of .347. Duke's ERA is still respectable despite the BAA because he still hasn't allowed a home run in 2008.

Here's what tonight's projected lineup has done against Duke:
Jason Werth: Never faced Duke
So Taguchi: 5-17
Chase Utley: 2-7
Pat Burrell: 2-6
Greg Dobbs: Never faced Duke
Pedro Feliz: 1-5
Carlos Ruiz: Never faced Duke
Eric Bruntlett: 1-3.

Ryan Howard is not expected to be in the lineup again. Look for Greg Dobbs to fill in at first. If Charlie Manuel doesn't want Dobbs in the lineup for the lefty-lefty, Utley might move to first. Brad Harman would play second base.

Adam Eaton pitches for the Phillies. He was cruising in his last start against the Mets until the sixth inning when he got hit around quite a bit. Overall, Eaton has kept the Phillies in every start, allowing no more than four runs in any start. He's allowed just one home run all year which is the biggest reason he's had much more success in 2008.

CuseAdelphia Prediction: Phillies 7 Pirates 5.