By Matt Leon

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – After holding on for a 9-8 win in Minnesota last night, the Phillies play the rubber game of this three game series with the Twins tonight.

The Phillies are 3-5 against the American League this season and they will give the ball to RHP Joe Blanton this evening.

Blanton is 5-6 in 2012 but he has gotten blasted as of late.  In his last five starts, Blanton is 1-3 with a 9.91 ERA and in 26 1/3 innings, he has allowed 29 earned runs on 44 its – including 11 home runs.  In his career against the Twins, Blanton is 4-4 with a 4.45 ERA.

The Twins will counter on the hill with Scott Diamond.  The 25-year-old left-hander has been brilliant for Minnesota this season – in 7 starts he is 5-1 with a phenomenal 1.61 ERA.  He has allowed just 4 walks in 44 2/3 innings.

How much fun has Jim Thome been to watch in interleague play? In five games as a Phils DH, Thome is 10-21 with 2 doubles, 2 home runs, 6 runs scored and 10 runs batted in.

KYW’s Matt Leon spoke with Kevin Cooney, Phillies beat writer for Calkins Media and phillyburbs.com, about tonight’s match-up.

You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.