7:05pm - Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
Sean West, LHP (3-4, 4.91) v. Cole Hamels, LHP (7-6, 4.68)
The Phillies will try to get Cole Hamels back on track as they face off with rookie lefty Sean West. After dropping the opener of the three game series, the Phillies are now 1-3 at home against the Fish. Meanwhile, Florida looks to cut into the Phillies' lead in the East, which is now down to six games. The matchup of southpaws will come in front of another sold-out crowd in Philadelphia.
Hamels looked little like his usual self in his last start against the Giants, in which he gave up six runs in five innings. Cole beat the Marlins several weeks ago but lifetime is only 2-4 against them with a 3.95 ERA. However, current Marlins are hitting only .236 against Hamels in 169 career plate appearances. As always at home, it will be crucial for Hamels to keep the ball down and in the yard.
West, the Marlins' lefty, will take the mound coming off a rough stretch of his initial campaign. In 10 starts this season, he is 3-4 with a 4.91 ERA. That notwithstanding, the Phillies are not familiar with West at all. No one on the roster has a single plate appearance against the left-hander and it will be interesting to see how Charlie Manuel constructs his lineup tonight. This season, left-handed hitters are actually out-performing righties, with a .317 average compared to .235 respectively.
With the rival Marlins in town and having dropped the first game of the series, this is a critical game for the Phillies. Their co-ace on the mound against a rookie, so there should be no excuses for the team not to win. I expect to see patience out of the Phillies lineup to get Hamels an early lead that he can pitch with throughout the evening.
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