Phillies Preview: NLCS Game Five

National League Championship Series - Game Five
Los Angeles Dodgers (1-3) v. Philadelphia Phillies (3-1)
Wednesday October 21, 2009 - 8:07pm ET
Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
60° F - Clear

Vicente Padilla, RHP (1-0, 1.23) v. Cole Hamels, LHP (1-0, 6.75)

Game five of the National League Championship Series will give the Philadelphia Phillies a chance to close out the Los Angeles Dodgers and advance to the World Series. After an emotional win on Monday night, the Phillies will look to wrap things up at home and prevent the series from returning to Los Angeles. Cole Hamels, the Phillies' game one starter takes the ball against the Dodgers' game two starter, Vicente Padilla. The teams had a day off yesterday, and with the weather improving, tonight's matchup promises to be another close, exciting game.

Starting Pitcher: Vicente Padilla

Vicente Padilla will get the nod for the Dodgers and will try to send the series back to California. Padilla, a former Phillie, will likely get a cold welcome back to Citizens Bank Park tonight. He went 7.1 innings allowing just a solo homer to Ryan Howard in his game two start. In 119 total plate appearances, current Phillies hitters are batting .257 against him. Raul Ibanez has the most appearances against Padilla and has homered twice off of the 31-year old. The big lefties in the Philadelphia lineup will need to get to Padilla early, before he settles in and gets the ball to the Dodger bullpen.

Starting Pitcher: Cole Hamels

Cole Hamels will take the mound for the Phillies in a familiar situation, as he tries to close out the Dodgers in the second consecutive NLCS. Hamels is looking to find some of his recent success against the Los Angeles Dodgers' batting order. Last season, Hamels dominated the Dodgers and in 2009, his good fortunes continued, as he went 2-0 in 16.0 innings with a 0.56 ERA. However, in his game one start, the 25-year old was knocked around a bit, allowing four earned runs in 5.1 innings. Current Dodgers are now hitting .251 off of him in 219 career plate appearances. The key for Hamels will be to maintain his composure, and keep the Dodgers' scoring opportunities limited.

Starting Lineup: Los Angeles Dodgers

Statistics versus Cole Hamels
1. Rafael Furcal, SS (2/17, 0 HR, 2 K)
2. Ronnie Belliard, 2B (8/29, 2 HR, 8 K)

3. Andre Ethier, RF (4/19, 0 HR, 5 K)

4. Manny Ramirez, LF (6/16, 2 HR, 2 K)

5. Matt Kemp, CF (8/20, 0 HR, 5 K)

6. James Loney, 1B (7/20, 2 HR, 4 K)
7. Russell Martin, C (4/18, 1 HR, 5 K)
8. Casey Blake, 3B (5/23, 0 HR, 3 K)

Starting Lineup: Philadelphia Phillies

Statistics versus Vicente Padilla
1. Jimmy Rollins, SS (1/7, 0 HR, 1 K)

2. Shane Victorino, CF (0/6, 0 HR, 1 K)

3. Chase Utley, 2B (2/6, 1 HR, 0 K)

4. Ryan Howard, 1B (3/5, 2 HR, 1 K)

5. Jayson Werth, RF (1/5, 0 HR, 2 K)

6. Raul Ibanez, LF (9/31, 2 HR, 7 K)

7. Pedro Feliz, 3B (2/12, 0 HR, 3 K)

8. Carlos Ruiz, C (1/2, 0 HR, 0 K)

Phillies NLCS Previews

Overview, Rotations, Bullpens, Hitters
Game Previews: One, Two, Three, Four, Five
Game Recaps: One, Two, Three, Four, Five