Categories: 2011 GamedayPosts

Gameday: Phillies (15-8) at Diamondbacks (10-12)

Philadelphia Phillies (15-8) at Arizona Diamondbacks (10-12)

Cole Hamels (2-1, 2.92 ERA) vs. Joe Saunders (0-2, 4.98 ERA)

Time: 3:40 pm., Chase Field
Weather: Sunny, 82
TV: CSN
Twitter: Phillies Nation

Here we go again. Looking like last seasons slumping lineup, the Phils have managed five runs in two games. Their streak of futility was snapped – they’d gone 14 straight without scoring more than four runs thanks to Ben Francisco’s ninth-inning homer – however, they still could not get themselves a victory.

Avoidance of a sweep rests on the shoulders of Cole Hamels, who has been very, very good since being booed in his first start. He probably remembers those things and wants you to eat your boos. Hamels will need to be on point once again as this Diamondbacks lineup has been quite good in the first two games of the series. But really, we all know it’s not about Hamels. It’s about this damn offense waking up and going on some sort of a tear.

Maybe not even a tear; perhaps just a steady clip of five runs a game for a short while, to at least serve as a reprieve from what has been an ugly two weeks. Sure, the Phillies are 15-8. That’s not making it any easier.

Joe Saunders will fire for Arizona, another starter with an ERA around five heading into action. It didn’t matter for Ian Kennedy or Daniel Hudson, both of whom won in their starts against the Phillies despite an ugly stat line. If the Phillies keep swinging like they have as of late, it won’t matter for Saunders either.

John Mayberry is in there today, Raul Ibanez will sit as he deals with an 0-for-22 slump.

LINEUP: Victorino CF, Polanco 3B, Rollins SS, Howard 1B, Francisco RF, Mayberry LF, Ruiz C, Valdez 2B, Hamels P

Your gameday beer: Modelo

It’s not that pricey and it tastes fairly decent. I want you to have a taste to see what all the rave is about (is there rave about it?). Modelo is a Mexican cerveza that’s similar to Corona. It won’t wow you, but it is damn refreshing. Had one on Saturday, which turned into 8 quickly. They go down smooth. Be careful. Have some fish tacos and enjoy the game – by Pat

GO PHILLIES!

Pat Gallen

Pat joined Phillies Nation in July 2009, coming over from Examiner.com. As a previous employee of both Comcast SportsNet and the National Basketball Association, Pat prides himself on being a well-rounded individual when it comes to sports. However, the Phillies are first on the list. You’ll usually find Pat chiming in on the Phillies Nation Facebook or Twitter account, weekdays on 97.3 ESPN radio or hosting Phillies Nation TV. He’s also a Senior Writer for the site, and in his free time is a music enthusiast and Will Ferrell movie-follower. His favorite beer: Philly’s own Yards. In 2015, Pat moved on from Phillies Nation as a sports anchor and reporter for CBS-3 in Philadelphia.