Philadelphia Phillies (40-34) @ Cincinnati Reds (43-34)

Date: Wednesday June 30th, 2010

Time: 12:35 pm EST

Preview: The Philadelphia Phillies will take on the Cincinnati Reds in the final game of a three game series at Great American Ball Park. Philadelphia fell to the Reds in the series opening game on Monday night. Philadelphia has been up and down this season, in third place in the National League East division. The Phillies are 3.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves in the division. Philadelphia ranks 16th in all of baseball with a .259 batting average. The Phillies, through 74 games this season have out scored opponents 353 – 311. The offense has been led by Placido Polanco with his .318 batting average, while Ryan Howard has blasted 15 homeruns and 55 runs batted in. Philadelphia will send their staff ace Roy Halladay to the mound, in an effort to pick up his tenth win of the season. Halladay is 9-6 with a 2.26 earned run average. His last start was a 7 inning win against his former team the Blue Jays.

Cincinnati will send their opening day starter, Aaron Harang to the mound. The 32 year old from San Diego has a 6-7 record, with a 5.02 earned run average. Harang won his last start on June 25th against Cleveland, where he went 7 innings. The Reds come into Tuesday’s action just a ½ game ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals at the top of the National League Central. The Reds are led offensively by third base men Scott Rolen. Rolen has blasted 17 homeruns and drove in 53 runs.

Our prediction for this game: Halladay continues to pitch well, and picks up win # 10. Phillies win 7-4.