NLDS Gameday: Rockies at Phillies, Game 2
Posted by Pat Gallen, Thu, October 08, 2009 01:37 PM | Comments: 473
Gameday 2009, Posts
Phillies lead series 1-0
Aaron Cook, RHP (0-0) vs. Cole Hamels, LHP (0-0)
Time: 2:37 p.m at Citizens Bank Park
Weather: Sunny, 65
TV: TBS
Twitter: Phillies Nation
Less than 24 hours after a complete game dazzler from Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels and the Phillies will take to the field looking for a 2-0 series lead. There aren’t enough superlatives to describe Lee’s outing on Tuesday, but you know how it went. Save the ninth, it was everything the Phillies hoped for, and more.
Hamels will attempt to match that start in a game where the winds should not be a factor. After a shaky regular season, this is the time of year Hamels has been known to dominate; his track record speaks for itself. Last season, Hamels blew through the Brewers, Dodgers, and Rays to capture the World Series MVP award, plus all of the fame that comes with it. Now one of the most recognizable Phillies, Hamels needs to rekindle that 2008 showing and step one is beating the Rockies to make this a lopsided series.
Aaron Cook opposes Hamels, in what will be just his second career postseason start. He previously pitched against the Boston Red Sox in the 2007 World Series, were he tossed six innings, allowing just three earned in a hard luck loss. Cook spent the early part of this season on the DL, but came back to post a decent stat line: 11-6, 4.16 ERA, 175 hits, 158 innings. His mediocre WHIP (1.405) means he will allow base runners, so look for the Phils to capitalize today.
Yesterday, every starter in the Phillies order had at least one hit, Lee included. That offensive balance, paired with the outstanding pitching performance made for an awesome Game 1. Today, look for the bats to stay hot, as Cook has struggled mightily against the Phils. He’s just 1-5 lifetime with an ERA pushing six. In 21 at-bats against Cook, Chase Utley is hitting .381 with a HR and an amazing 11 RBI.
Today’s Lineup: Rollins (SS), Victorino (CF), Utley (2B), Howard (1B), Werth (LF), Ibanez (LF), Feliz (3B), Ruiz (C), Hamels (P).
Your Gameday Beer – Hollywood Blonde
Today’s beer selection is of course in honor of the Phillies flashy starting pitcher. This Blonde beer is a good introduction to the category as its taste is not overpowering. It has a faint citrus flavor with hints of flowers and grass…a real hippie taste from this California Brewery (Great Bear Company). Enjoy it with a pulled pork sandwich topped with some Cole slaw. – By Brian
GO PHILLIES!
Posts: 0 Andrew
Here is the key. Your “ace” if need be needs to pitch 15 scoreless if its needed. If we are scoring 15 runs he can give up 13 and its OK. Its not ERA its not Ks. Its winning when your best pitcher is out there.
Now lets get some runs.
Posted: 04:03 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
THE BRAVES WILL NOT LOSE ANOTHER GAME!!!!!!
Posted: 04:03 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 ray
this room is crazy bipolar
Posted: 04:03 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 mg52
You guys may have seen the TBS crew talk to Milt Thompson a few innings ago. He said that the hitters would need to wait for Cook to get the ball up. I agree, but that isn’t the whole story. They can’t just assume that that ball will come up. They have to find some way to do what they can with what he’s throwing – in other words hit pitches other than mistake pitches.
Posted: 04:04 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 ray
jt if the phillies were to lose this game wouldn’t both team have to win 2 games?
Posted: 04:04 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 Stuart
not sure if anyone here remembers yesterday. but we scored 5 runs in which innings? the 5th and 6th. What inning is it now? the top of the 5th. everyone calm down.
Posted: 04:06 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 hotstove
The botton half of the order needs to scratch out a run and let the big guys do something or everone after jroll he is looking horrible at the plate.
Posted: 04:06 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 Terri
Cole is definitely not the same as last year, but this game is on our offense. We get guys on base, but then hit into 2 DP.
Posted: 04:06 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 craig the rockies fan
Welcome back Phillies. Yesterday you looked like last year. Thank god Hamels is pitching like he did this year. Love it. 1-1 Going to our home and we will finish it there. Sorry guys but the Phillies are to up and down to win it all.
Posted: 04:07 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
The Braves have won 15 of 17 an will not lose another game. The Phils lost to the Astros so they will not win another game. This is pointless. Trade everybody NOW!
Posted: 04:08 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 jt
please get hamels out don’t wait until it’s 5-0.
Posted: 04:09 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 Stuart
where did you go yesterday rockies fan? after you guys lost? oh you ran back away into your little hole because you had nothing to say. so do the same today.
Posted: 04:09 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
Seems like ut has always been the best on the team at hitting sinkerballers. i don’t know if that’s saying alot considering our epic struggles against the sinker. This pitch is definitely our white whale.
Posted: 04:09 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 Geoff
Ok, Hamels comes out now. Ive seen enough of this. They need to wake up the offense.
Posted: 04:09 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff of Nova
Yeah Hamels has not been horrible, but I think everyone needs to stop thinking he is going to be Phenominal he has been pitching like a number 3 or 4 at best all year, why would that change now?
I think Happ needs to pitch game 3 and Blanton 4
Posted: 04:09 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 hotstove
NO NL team this year is gonna have a chance to win the world series this year.
Posted: 04:10 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 ray
lmao he crawled out of his dirt hole. well well well looks like the bandwagon is in town
Posted: 04:10 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 Andrew
OK thats enough
The 6th best starter got the start today.
Posted: 04:10 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
Still early….plenty of baseball.
Posted: 04:11 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 Andrew
LOL at
Craig the douchebag
Posted: 04:11 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 hotstove
yup and now cole needs to be taken out he is bad
Posted: 04:12 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 Terri
the rockies came to play, what about the phils?
Posted: 04:12 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 craig the rockies fan
4-0 yea baby. no i did not leave. one of you jerks pretended to be me and write nasty stuff. just like a phillies pig.
Posted: 04:12 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 Paul
Are you watching the same game the rest of us are Stuart? Hamels is not pitching well.
Posted: 04:12 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 np
4 runs in 4 innings so far?
thats not even close to being good…hamels is a joke today
how do you expect the team to win when your pitcher is giving up runs continually every inning?
Posted: 04:12 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 Stuart
cook is tired from running the bases. lets get to him now.
Posted: 04:12 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 Phillyguy
Hamels needs to go, take our chances with the bull pen here!!
Posted: 04:13 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 GWFightinsFan
terrible…
Posted: 04:13 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 Andrew
I took crap for this when the starters for the series were announced but in a lot of ways Cole irritates me more than lidge or any other player. He didnt earn a right to pitch in the playoffs this year. Yes he did last year but this year Happ and Banton and even Pedro out pitched him.
Posted: 04:14 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 craig the rockies fan
i’m gay and only show up whent he rockies are winning.
Posted: 04:14 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 jt
hamels better be done we can’t keep him in there…4 runs in 4 IP is a terrible performance imo.
Posted: 04:16 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 Andrew
This is what guys with losing records and league average ERAs do.
10-11 witha 4.32 is fine for your 4th starter. If hap or Blanton had the numbers hed not be considered. But they were better and they werent considered anyway.
Posted: 04:16 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 ray
looks like happ is going in game 3 since blanton is up
Posted: 04:17 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 Stuart
Paul i said he wasnt pitching bad BEFORE that last inning. before that he has allowed 4 hits, one cheap run that howard cost us and then one bad pitch that was taken out. last inning he let it all go and is not what he was in the first few innings. he had 5 strikeouts before that inning. 5 strike outs in 4 innings? with one bad pitch. ill take it. but now hes getting rattled and should be taken out. but we desperately need to start taking pitches and make this guy throw more than one pitch an ab.
and this is for craig. you said no you didnt but someone pretended to be you. ok so did you comment anymore? or did you shut up? you shut up, exactly.
Posted: 04:18 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 Paul
Time to get a couple of runs back!
Posted: 04:18 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 Andrew
Now Blanton.
Who earned it this year? Do teams with 10-11 records even make the playoffs? I am pissed but I am hoping for a comeback.
Posted: 04:18 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 jt
*5 IP
Posted: 04:18 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 Georgie
Uh oh, Cole just rushed into the clubhouse after that guy whispered to him, maybe heidi’s having the baby.
Posted: 04:19 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 Paul
Totally agree Stuart, it was time to take him out. Now get some RUNS!
Posted: 04:19 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 Phillyguy
Blanton is a legend. I have no idea why he’s not pitching, its a dumb move
Posted: 04:20 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 Georgie
Isn’t Cook coming off an injury? He won’t be able to go 9 will he? Maybe we can get to their bullpen.
Posted: 04:21 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 Terri
so who will be pitching in game 3, when it is going to be 30 degrees with snow.
Posted: 04:22 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 jt
cook went 8 innings his last start…he can go the distance if they let him.
Posted: 04:22 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 Stuart
I agree and think Blanton shoudlve pitched today. Then hamels, then Happ. I like a lefty then a righty because it will switch up things, force you to switch up your lineup and force you to use different guys. not letting guys get settled in. we need a shut down inning here, and then a couple runs in the 6th. just everyone remember. we scored 5 runs in two innings yesterday. its not over yet boys.
Posted: 04:23 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 Georgie
I wonder if those black tacos make your teeth black?
Posted: 04:23 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 Andrew
Happ 12-4 sub 3 ERa
Blanton 12-8 4.05 ERA
nice
Posted: 04:23 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 craig the rockies fan
there you go again. whats a matter you upset you guys suck this year. lucky to play in a division that is horrible. cole is a nancy boy. he is horrible. one year wonder. we will pound you at home. you will be knocked out in the first round. enjoy it.
Posted: 04:24 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 Phillyguy
As stated above Blanton is a Legend, were in good hands now, all we need is to score 5 runs to win this game
Posted: 04:24 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 Harold
i thought that except for that hanging curve ball cole actually pitched pretty well.
Posted: 04:24 PM on October 8, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Wow I can’t even put into words how much I disagree with using Blanton here.
Posted: 04:25 PM on October 8, 2009