Phillies Preview: NLDS Bench Hitters

Colorado Rockies (92-70) v. Philadelphia Phillies (93-69)

Situational hitting is always important and the pinch hitters and platoon players will be important to both the Rockies and the Phillies. The Rockies have a very deep bench that features power and speed. Many on the Colorado bench are possible platoon starters, based on matchups, so they should be covered late in the game. The Phillies had one of the best benches in baseball last year, but this year, the group has regressed. However, they still have some solid players to bring off the bench in key situations.

Key Hitters: Colorado Rockies

Ian Stewart, L - Ian Stewart is a potential starter for the Rockies team, but because he is a lefty hitter, he will likely only appear as a late-inning replacement early in the series. The 24-year old played his first full season in the majors this year, and reached career highs in most offensive categories. He is a power threat with a sweet left-handed stroke and plays exceptional defense as well. This makes him a candidate to be a pinch hitter late in games, in key situations. The infielder does swing and miss a lot, though, and only hit .228 for the year.

Ryan Spilborghs, R - Ryan Spilborghs is a veteran outfielder on the Rockies squad, but brings a lot of energy to their team. The 29-year old is likely to see a lot of action in this series against the lefties of the Phillies, and platoons in left field with Carlos Gonzalez. Most important for Spilborghs is that he can get the clutch hit and can run very well. For his career, he is much better than his stats in 2009 would indicate.

Key Hitters: Philadelphia Phillies

Matt Stairs, L - Matt Stairs delivered one of the most famous homers Phillies history last postseason and is a presence on their bench. Stairs is their most dangerous power hitter and will likely only appear in pinch-hit situations. Being left-handed, the 41-year old often helps to dictate how opposing bullpens are used and helps alleviate pressure from the left-handed heavy heart of the Phillies order. Stairs will likely get a few hacks this series, and all of them will occur in critical situations of the game.

Ben Francisco, R - Ben Francisco was acquired as part of the Cliff Lee deal earlier this season. Though the Phillies weren't sure what kind of player they were getting, Francisco proved to be very important. The 27-year old is the Phillies' fourth outfielder off the bench and could backup any of the positions more than adequately. More important, Francisco is a right-handed power threat off the bench and typically hits the ball very hard. Expect to see a fair amount of Francisco this series, especially late in games.

Reserve Hitters: Colorado Rockies

IF - Ian Stewart, L: 147 G, .228 BA, 25 HR, 70 RBI, 7 SB

2009 vs. RHP: 134 G, .244 BA, 20 HR, 59 RBI, 7 SB

2009 vs. LHP: 69 G, .178 BA, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 0 SB

Career vs. PHI: 20 PA, .250 BA, .400 OBP, .313 SLG, 0 HR, 5 K

1B - Jason Giambi, L: 102 G, .201 BA, 13 HR, 51 RBI, 0 SB

2009 vs. RHP: 91 G, .196 BA, 6 HR, 29 RBI, 0 SB
2009 vs. LHP: 46 G, .213 BA, 7 HR, 22 RBI, 0 SB
Career vs. PHI: 209 PA, .267 BA, .364 OBP, .438 SLG, 6 HR, 42 K

OF - Seth Smith, L: 133 G, .293 BA, 15 HR, 55 RBI, 4 SB

2009 vs. RHP: 113 G, .300 BA, 12 HR, 45 RBI, 4 SB
2009 vs. LHP: 46 G, .259 BA, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 0 SB
Career vs. PHI: 24 PA, .227 BA, .292 OBP, .273 SLG, 0 HR, 9 K

LF - Ryan Spilbourghs, R: 133 G, .241 BA, 8 HR, 48 RBI, 9 SB

2009 vs. RHP: 109 G, .250 BA, 3 HR, 26 RBI, 9 SB

2009 vs. LHP: 65 G, .230 BA, 5 HR, 22 RBI, 0 SB

Career vs. PHI: 47 PA, .364 BA, .404 OBP, .568 SLG, 2 HR, 8 K

C - Chris Iannetta, R: 93 G, .228 BA, 16 HR, 52 RBI, 0 SB

2009 vs. RHP: 87 G, .202 BA, 12 HR, 41 RBI, 0 SB

2009 vs. LHP: 44 G, .296 BA, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 0 SB

Career vs. PHI: 37 PA, .100 BA, .270 OBP, .133 SLG, 0 HR, 13 K

IF/OF - Eric Young, Jr., S: 30 G, .246 BA, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 4 SB

2009 vs. RHP: 19 G, .206 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 4 SB
2009 vs. LHP: 9 G, .304 BA, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB
Career vs. PHI: n/a

Reserve Hitters: Philadelphia Phillies

OF - Matt Stairs, L: 99 G, .194 BA, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 0 SB

2009 vs. RHP: 92 G, .200 BA, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 0 SB
2009 vs. LHP: 4 G, .000 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Career vs. COL: 97 PA, .375 BA, .474 OBP, .638 SLG, 5 HR, 15 K

IF/OF - Greg Dobbs, L: 97 G, .247 BA, 5 HR, 20 RBI, 1 SB

2009 vs. RHP: 90 G, .238 BA, 5 HR, 18 RBI, 1 SB

2009 vs. LHP: 6 G, .429 BA, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB

Career vs. COL: 39 PA, .361 BA, .385 OBP, .444 SLG, 0 HR, 4 K

C - Paul Bako, L: 44 G, .224 BA, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 0 SB

2009 vs. RHP: 39 G, .245 BA, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 0 SB
2009 vs. LHP: 9 G, .000 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Career vs. COL: 56 PA, .208 BA, .218 OBP, .302 SLG, 1 HR, 16 K

OF - Ben Francisco, R: 126 G, .257 BA, 15 HR, 46 RBI, 14 SB

2009 vs. RHP: 111 G, .260 BA, 13 HR, 36 RBI, 12 SB
2009 vs. LHP: 61 G, .247 BA, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 2 SB
Career vs. COL: 7 PA, .333 BA, .429 OBP, 1.000 SLG, 1 HR, 1 K

IF - Miguel Cairo, R: 27 G, .267 BA, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB

2009 vs. RHP: 24 G, .286 BA, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB
2009 vs. LHP: 5 G, .000 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Career vs. COL: 46 PA, .190 BA, .261 OBP, .310 SLG, 0 HR, 6 K

Phillies NLDS Previews

Overview, Rotations, Bullpens, Hitters, Benches

Game Previews: One, Two, Three, Four

Game Recaps: One, Two, Three, Four