Gameday: Phillies (88-62) at Marlins (81-71)
Posted by Pat Gallen, Wed, September 23, 2009 06:15 PM | Comments: 275
Gameday 2009, Posts
Philadelphia Phillies (88-62) at Florida Marlins (81-71)
Cole Hamels (10-9, 4.07) vs. Rick Vandenhurk, RHP (2-2, 4.24)
Time: 7:10 p.m. at Land Shark Stadium in Miami
Weather: Partly Cloudy, 83
TV:CSN
Twitter: Phillies Nation
With three games in two days, the onus is on the Phillies to brave the swelter of South Florida and fight through the fatigue that comes with 150-plus games. Yesterday, in splitting a double header, they kept the Marlins at arms length.
Tonight, Cole Hamels looks to continue his upward trend moving toward the postseason. Overall, it hasn’t been the kind of year that was expected from Hamels, but lately he is changing that. He goes for win number 11 tonight, coming off of an eight inning, 10-strikeout performance against the Nats on September 17. His lifetime numbers against the Marlins do not stand out (2-5, 4.19 ERA), however, he has allowed two earned runs or less in four of his five career starts at Land Shark Stadium. This start could go a long way toward being the number one starter when the playoffs come around.
Henricus “Rick” Vandenhurk will oppose Hamels. The 6-foot-5 righty hails from the Netherlands, and is just 24 years old. In nine starts this year he’s been average, but the Phillies cannot sleep on him. He’s given up nine homers in those starts, so if the Phillies can get the longball working once again, this could be over quickly. With the game time temperature in the 80′s, along with the humidity, hopefully the Phils can wear him out with some early damage.
This evening, keep an eye on Cody Ross. The Marlins centerfielder has smashed three home runs against Hamels in his career, including the game winner on August 8th when it appeared Hamels would be victorious. Hanley Ramirez has also been a pain, hitting .310 against the lefty.
Good news today out of the bullpen as Scott Eyre has been deemed ready to pitch once again, according to Rich Dubee. J.C. Romero is getting close as well after yesterday’s 50-pitch bullpen session. He will face live hitters tomorrow in an instructional league assigment.
Your Gameday Beer – Old Milwaukee
Old Milwaukee, believe it or not, is brewed by Blue Ribbon winner Pabst’s which is based out of Illinois. Don’t worry though, it’s still an authentic mid-west macrobrew that is best served ice cold. The flavor is light, kinda grainy, kinda corny, but not too bitter – overall drinkable. Grill some flavored chicken sausages to with it. – By Brian
Posts: 0 Andrew
What record do we have to have to get the dodgers round 1?
i do not want any part of St louis or colorado round 1
I am thnking we want st louis to have a better record or if we do we will draw colorado
Posted: 06:21 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Phan in TN
old milwaukee was a bad mistake and I had to apologize to my friends for days afterwards.
thing is, you have to be drunk before it is drinkable…
go phillies
Posted: 06:22 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
Zolecki’s Twitter: Ruiz’s MRI shows no structural damage. Could get a shot tomorrow. If so, would be out 3 to 5 days.
Posted: 06:28 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Morris Buttermaker
Ok, we got a game with the Marlins tonight. And that only means one thing. Bad news for the Marlins!
Posted: 06:56 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Morris Buttermaker
If the Phillies finish behind the Cardinals, they would play at the Dodgers. And the Rockies would play the Cardinals. The other option is that the Rockies overtake the Dodgers, and the Phillies stay ahead of the Cardinals. The Rockies would host the Cards and Phillies would get the Dodgers. But don’t worry too much. The Phillies have played the Rockies well this year, and the Rockies struggle against lefties.
Posted: 06:59 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Andrew
Does anyone else hate the batting stance guy?
Thank god he isnt a philly thing. They are pushing him on the crappy marlins broadcast.
Posted: 07:06 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
Let’s go King Cole!
Posted: 07:08 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 576 Brian Michael
Yea, that guy is corny. He sent us some Phillies batting stance videos a while back asking us to post them…I didn’t think they were that interesting.
Posted: 07:11 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Andrew
Hard to forget that uncompeteive 3 game sweep 2 years ago
And they ahave been hot. They worry me the dodgers do not.
Posted: 07:16 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 bfo-33
Old Milwaukee? Maybe as a cure for constipation, but for God’s sake, it’s the end of Sept, there are at least 30 good Octoberfest beers out there. Could use a strong start by Cole, hopefully Ruiz back in a few. Any news on Pedro M?
Posted: 07:19 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 teejvee
Embarassing,
Posted: 07:26 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
let me guess its rains alot in the tropics
Posted: 07:30 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
perdo m’s brain fell out
Posted: 07:31 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 576 Brian Michael
I’d just like to point out that I am watching the game on ESPN…on a Virgin America plane heading to Los Angeles. This is awesome….I couldn’t think of a better way to enjoy the flight…I’m gonna order a beer.
Posted: 07:38 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 teejvee
Yet another BRUTAL choke job w man on 3rd.
Posted: 07:48 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
what the hell happened….just throw the bat at the ball
Posted: 07:49 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Terri
huge fail on Shane and Chase part!
Posted: 07:49 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 teejvee
BRUTAL BRUTAL
Atta way Shane and Chase.
Posted: 07:50 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
wow, i’d give a kidney to get ichiro here
Posted: 07:50 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Are we really going to have runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs and not score even one of them? Really?
Posted: 07:52 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Wow….was it just me or did Howard just poke one that hit off the opposite field wall? That is amazing.
Posted: 07:53 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
good now i don’t have to buy a new tv
Posted: 07:53 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Jason B
Good thing Howard came through because that was starting to look pretty pathetic.
Posted: 07:55 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
yeah the worse part would have been 2nd and 3rd, no outs with hamels on 3rd
Posted: 07:57 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Mostone
Brian – that indeed is a great way to enjoy a plane ride!
Posted: 07:57 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
if it’s no outs with the pitcher on 3rd and you fail to score somehow…you should be bitch slapped by the pope
Posted: 07:59 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
beautiful pitch Mr. Hamels
Posted: 08:01 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
the Marlins have put together a decent team that no one shows up to see. They are worse teams that bring more people. Does this mean less talented teams get less of the revenue sharing than the Marlins because they bring in more people to their ball park?
Posted: 08:09 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
that’s “There are worse…”
Posted: 08:10 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 1431 Pat Gallen
light night on the message board. go phils
Posted: 08:20 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Andrew
The team should be moved. Maybe 1 team in florida but 2 no way.
It is pathetic for sure
Someone is going to explain to me why they are building a new park for the marlins also.
Posted: 08:21 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 teejvee
Another Hamels batting practice stint,
Very frustrating.
Everything being hit HARD.
Posted: 08:28 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
It’s probably to difficult to retro-fit Dolphins stadium with a retractable dome. Still that doesn’t mean they should keep the team. I think NC or portland, oregon should get this team (still needs a retractable dome either way) and it or some other NL xpansion team should go to the AL.
Posted: 08:29 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
he’s not using his curveball as much as the last few games
Posted: 08:31 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 teejvee
plus the offense being shut down.AGAIN.
By a scrub.
Posted: 08:35 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 jt
the marlins kill hamels they should of let happ go tonight and let cole go tomorrow .
Posted: 08:36 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
kaboom
Posted: 08:42 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Mostone
Raaaaauuuuuul!
Posted: 08:43 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Mostone
WOO HOO COLE!
Posted: 08:45 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Glad to see Hamels brought his stick to the park cause his pitching has been spotty tonight.
Posted: 08:45 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Andrew
I dont think the marlins are that good. Closer to the Nats than to the elite teams.
Are the serving Old Milwaukee on the flight? I would go get some but I dont want to be sick tomorrow.
Posted: 08:49 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Terri
Cole has to shut them down this inning.
Posted: 08:50 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
boy maybe that’s why no curve…it looks like crap..maybe the wet ball affects his curveball grip too much
Posted: 08:51 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
Andrew – relative to their payroll and experience the Marlins are pretty good
Posted: 08:53 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
I agree j-reed. Truthfully, if the Marlins were in any other division I would root for them as the underdog. They are like the Twins, except with more home runs and less fans.
Posted: 08:55 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 bfo-33
Don’t know the actual stats, but seems like Nashville is the biggest market without a baseball team. Seems like they’d support a good team (do so in football, don’t know how the predators draw).
Posted: 08:59 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
it’s clobberin time
Posted: 09:05 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Mostone
130 RBIs for Howard!
Posted: 09:05 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 SDO
Those punches come in bunches…
Old Milwaukee was served only to the freshmen at my school’s frat parties… lol.
Posted: 09:11 PM on September 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
As a big hockey fan, Nashville doesn’t draw too well in that sport. It doesn’t do poorly by any stretch but I don’t know if I would be so quick to put a team there. I think Portland deserves a team. Seattle could use a good rival.
Posted: 09:11 PM on September 23, 2009