Gameday: Phillies (12-6) at Padres (8-11)

Philadelphia Phillies (12-6) at San Diego Padres (8-11)

Cole Hamels LHP (1-1, 4.32 ERA) vs. Clayton Richard LHP (1-0, 4.50 ERA)

Time: 10:05 pm, Petco Park
Weather: Sunny, 65
TV: CSN
Twitter: Phillies Nation

Whether you call him Mr. Hollywood or one of the California Kids, Cole Hamels is heading home to pitch.  He will take the mound in his native San Diego to pitch against the Padres.

Hamels jokes about how you can’t beat the weather in San Diego, but he might also be smirking because it’s hard to beat him while he is in San Diego.  In his last three starts in San Diego, Hamels has only given up two runs in 23 innings.

Ace #4 started the season off with a bang, and not in a good way.  After giving up six runs in 2.2 innings against the Mets, Hamels has settled in and given up only two runs in his last 14 innings pitched.  Just like Hamels, the Phillies are very comfortable playing in San Diego winning 21 of their last 25 games after last night’s 3-0 win.

Everyone knows how historic the starting rotation could prove to be, but the real unsung heroes so far this season has been the bullpen.  The pen ranks second in ERA (2.47) and closer Jose Contreras has converted all five save opportunities this season.

While the offense has been a bit lack luster as of late (13 runs in 5 games, 3 wins), Placido Polanco

has been playing like a man possessed lately.  He is hitting .360 for the past week with two home runs and four RBIs.  He is now tied for the team lead with Ryan Howard with 15 RBIs apiece.  Polanco also swiped two bags yesterday and has three stolen bases for the season.  He had only five all of last season.

West Coast games are always tough, but let’s keep the chatter up all game long.

Lineup: Victorino CF, Planco 3B, Rollins SS, Howard 1B, Francisco RF, Ibanez LF, Ruiz C, Valdez 2B, Hamels P

Your gameday beer: Pete’s Brown Ale

Pete’s Brown Ale is a beer from the Bear Republic Beer Co. in California. It’s made with molasses and brown sugar, so it’s bitter, slow and thick. Eat a steak with a sweet potato with this one.

GO PHILLIES!