Philadelphia Phillies (1-1) at San Francisco Giants (1-1)
Cole Hamels (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Matt Cain (0-0, 0.00)
Time: 4:19, AT&T Park
Weather: Mostly Sunny, 67
TV: FOX
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Charlie Manuel called this a “swing game” yesterday. Does the momentum shift from neutral to red after today? It’ll be up to Cole Hamels to do so. You know how good he’s been this season and into the playoffs, but this road challenge will be slightly different than Cincinnati. Bigger stage, bigger consequences should he come up with a sub-par outing. But if he doesn’t – if Cole Hamels is rock solid like he has been – the Phillies will be looking mighty fine heading into Game 3.
The good news is, the Phillies are 6-2 in Hamels’ eight starts against the Giants in his career. Here is what Hamels said yesterday:
“Postseason is where it’s at. It’s the ultimate time to really show what kind of player you are, what kind of pitcher you are,” Hamels said. “These are the types of games and types of moments when you set foot in spring training it’s the ultimate goal for the whole team to go out and enjoy.”
Our Cole Hamels said this, a complete turn around from a year ago when he just wanted it all to end after a terrible 2009. He’s poised and ready to go.
Matt Cain has had terrible results against the Phillies during his career, posting an 0-3 record with an ERA above six. Some people will say you can’t point to previous numbers, that this is a different “season.” I say bull. Cain will see a Phillies squad that has stayed relatively the same over the past four seasons.
Step up, Raul. It’s your turn to flip the switch and come up with a big time hit. Raul’s bat has slowed considerably as the season has progressed, but he’ll have to find a little pocket of energy to get through this slump. Ibanez is 0 for his last 11 and hasn’t had a hit since Game 2 of the Reds series on October 8. It’s been a long time coming. Step up, Raul.
Game 2 Lineup: Victorino CF, Utley 2B, Polanco 3B, Howard 1B, Werth RF, Rollins SS, Ibanez LF, Ruiz C, Hamels P
Your gameday beer: Anchor Steam Old Foghorn Ale
Old Foghorn is based on traditional English barley wines. Because of the high original gravity, the yeast is unable to ferment all of the sugars. As a result, barley wine is high in alcohol, and is slightly sweet, due to the residual sugars. Old Foghorn also has a pleasant hop bitterness, due to the large quantity of hops used during brewing. I always enjoy that slight, slight bitterness with ales like that. And although I’m not a huge barleywine fan, Anchor Steam rarely produces a beer that sucks. Enjoy this San Franciscan treat while the Phils pummel the boys of the city
– PG
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