Phillies (67-39) vs. Pirates (54-51), 1:35 -- WPHL
Starting Pitchers
Phillies: Vance Worley. Worley (7-1, 2.02) is coming off his best start as a Phillie. He threw a three-hitter in the Phils' 7-2 win over the Giants on Tuesday. He struck out five and gave up only one walk against the Giants. He has allowed two runs or fewer in 11 of his 13 career starts.
Pirates: Jeff Karstens. Karstens (8-5, 2.41 ERA) allowed three runs in five innings in a loss against Atlanta on Tuesday in a no-decision. He did, however, win his previous four starts.
Previous games
After losing back-to-back games coming into the cross-state series against the Pirates, the Phillies have won the first two in the three-game set and will go for the sweep on Sunday afternoon.
Head-to-head
The Phillies are 3-2 against the Pirates so far this season and will play their final game of the regular season against the Bucs on Sunday. The Phillies lost two of three against the Pirates in early June.
Whos hot?
Ryan Howard seemed to enjoy having Hunter Pence in the five-hole behind him on Saturday. The Phils first baseman had four hits, including a monster home run and knocked in three.
Storylines
Pence went 1 for 5 with an RBI, but should have had an infield hit in his first at-bat as a Phillie in the second inning on Saturday. He beat the throw but was called out. While the one hit wasn't too impressive, it seemed he had an effect on Howard.
MLB
Placido Polanco returned to the Phillies' lineup after being out since July 5 and picked up his first hit in the month.
Sound off
With the aquisition of Pence, are you now completely happy with the Phillies' roster?