Oswalt, Pettitte get the Phils

Roy Oswalt and Andy Pettitte both pitched gems and sent the Phils into a 4 game losing streak on Tuesday night with a 2-1 Astros victory. The Phils had some chances against Oswalt late in the game on Tuesday, but couldn't cash in more runs. Billy Wagner also lost the game for the Phils in the top of the 9th on Tuesday night after Eric Bruntlett stole second and third and was singled home by Jason Lane. If this is the low point of the season for the Phils, we can only hope that is doesn't last long. If there is a bright spot to all of this, Brandon Backe will pitch the 3rd and final game of the Astros series on Wednesday. He will be opposed by Vicente Padilla. Backe was just activated off the Houston Dl, he hasn't pitched since July 23rd.

The Florida Marlins roll into Citizens Bank Park for a 3 game weekend series. It does appear the Phils will at least face A.J. Burnett and lefty Jason Vargas. Cory Lidle is expected to be activated from the Dl for a start on Friday or Saturday. Myers and Lieber will probably get the starting nod for the other two Marlins games. The Phils must turn things around against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night and they must win some games against the Marlins this weekend. As of Wednesday, September 7th, they have fallen to 1 1/2 games out of the wild card hunt to the Astros. We'll have a full recap of the Astros series as well as last weekends Washington Nationals series this week on the Phillies Weekly podcast.