As Trade Talks Stir, There Is Still Baseball To Play: Lannan, Zito Open Up Series At CBP

As rumors spread and deals become on the verge of completing, there is still a game to play. The Phillies, who have lost eight straight games, will open up a three-game series with the San Francisco Giants. With talk of Cliff Lee and Michael Young being close to having tickets out of Philly become more and more talked about the Giants (46-58), who appear to be sellers this July, may have some players of their own on the move. At 49-56 the Phillies sit 11 1/2 games back in the NL East and 9 games back in the Wild Card. Tonight they will look to pull out their first win in over a week as the Giants come to town.

John Lannan (2-4, 4.13 ERA) will get the start for the Phillies and will oppose Barry Zito (4-7, 4.92 ERA).

Lannan had allowed an earned run over 16 innings before allowing four earned in four innings last time out. On Wednesday against the Cardinals, Lannan was knocked around for eight hits while striking out three and walking two. Lannan, who has a 1-1 record and a 2.25 ERA in his last three starts, will look to bounce back as he takes on the Giants in an effort to give his team a must-need win. In three career starts against San Francisco, Lannan is 0-1 with a 1.74 ERA.

Barry Zito is coming off of a no-decision against the Reds last time out. On Tuesday the lefty allowed three earned runs on six hits through 4 2/3 innings of work. Striking out four and walking three, Zito continued to struggle. With a 4-1 record and a 2.66 ERA at home, Zito's numbers on the road are far from pretty. Zito has yet to notch a win on the road all season and if he does not get one tonight in Philly, he will go into August having lost 6 (or 7 depending on tonight) games on the road. In his career against the Phillies, Zito is 3-3 with a 4.14 ERA.

Game Notes: 

• Trades, trades, trades – be on the lookout for any news regarding Cliff Lee and Michael Young.
• The Giants' Hunter Pence may be on the move as well, the Red Sox have inquired about him to the Giants.
• In five home starts this season, John Lannan is 1-1 with a 2.73 ERA.

Phillies lineup (subject to change):

1. Jimmy Rollins SS
2. Michael Young 3B
3. Chase Utley 2B
4. Darin Ruf LF
5. Delmon Young RF
6. Kevin Frandsen 1B
7. John Mayberry Jr. CF
8. Carlos Ruiz C
9. John Lannan P.

Giants lineup (subject to change):

1. Andres Torres CF
2. Marco Scutaro 2B
3. Pablo Sandoval 3B
4. Guillermo Quiroz C
5. Hunter Pence RF
6. Jeff Francouer LF
7. Brett Pill 1B
8. Brandon Crawford SS
9. Barry Zito P.

First Pitch Forecast: Sunny – 80° – 0% PoP

TV: CSN
Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT

Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter.