It’s not going to be easy for Roy Oswalt to follow up Roy Halladay’s epic no-hitter. However, a win has been the norm when the Phillies’ prized mid-season acquisition faces the Reds.
The former Astro is 23-3 lifetime against his former Central Division rival.
“There’s no way to explain it,” Oswalt said. “A few times, I actually gave up a few runs against them and [the Astros] came back and scored me a few. I pitched on the days we scored some runs and some days I was able to shut them out.”
Oswalt pitched well at Houston’s Minute Maid Park but he has been phenomenal at Citizens Bank Park, going 9-0.
“For some reason, the mound here, the way the park is set up, I feel like I’m standing next to the hitter when I’m throwing,” Oswalt said. “It don’t feel like the regular 60 feet [and six inches]. [It] feels like I’m throwing 55 feet.”
Oswalt believes he is capable of throwing a gem every time he steps out on the CBP mound. He is also confident that the Phillies’ potent offense will give him enough run support.
“You know you have so much talent one through eight in the lineup,” Oswalt said. “A lot of times, Carlos [Ruiz] is hitting eighth, and he’s one of the .300 hitters — you don’t see that much in the National League.”
