Gameday: Padres (9-3) At Phillies (4-6)

San Diego Padres (9-3) at Philadelphia Phillies (4-6)
Josh Geer vs. Chan Ho Park (0-0, 10.38 ERA)

Time: 1:35 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia.
Weather: Cloudy, 64
TV: MyPhl 17
Twitter: Phillies Nation

How else can the Phillies lose?

In 2009, the Phils have lost a blowout, a blown save by Ryan Madson and a blown save by Brad Lidge. These are things that we cannot recall from 2008. Yes, it’s a different team, but it’s alarming.

Today the Phils will try to rectify these past mistakes by sending out Chan Ho Park, who didn’t accomplish much in his first start as a Phillie. Against Colorado, Park lasted just 3.1 innings, giving up five runs. He has experience against these Padres hitters, and only David Eckstein has clubbed him well (.385, RBI).

Meanwhile, the Padres are throwing out Josh Geer, a rookie right-hander who struggled in the Catcus League, finishing out of the Padres opening day rotation. Geer is a sinkerball pitcher, so if he’s on his game, it might a long afternoon for the Phillies offense. That offense, meanwhile, is seeing good things from two hitters: Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez, who lead the team with three and four home runs, respectively.

Your gamenight beer: Is it me, or are the Phillies suffering through their darkest days? I waxed on the Twitter that this might be the worst week in Phillies history, but is it? Surely we can’t be this gloom and doom. It is early, right? Anyway, to celebrate these dark days, tear open a Negra Modelo. Simply put, it’s a dark beer. It’s not really heavy, though, like a porter; instead, it’s sugary sweet, which makes it a good pairing with Mexican food. Have an enchillada today. Or something.

Go Phillies!