Phillies Preview: October 3, 2009

Florida Marlins (86-74) at Philadelphia Phillies (92-68)

4:05pm - Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA

Anibal Sanchez, RHP (3-8, 4.10) v. Cole Hamels, LHP (10-10, 4.25)

The Phillies have tentatively penciled in Cole Hamels for Saturday's start against the Marlins. They may replace him if they expect him to pitch on Wednesday's playoff opener. However, he could potentially still pitch Thursday on normal rest. He will be opposed by Anibal Sanchez of the Marlins. Sanchez struggled his last time out but shut down the Phillies offense the last time they squared off. If Hamels does get the nod, this will be an exciting, pitcher's duel on National TV.

With the playoffs looming, Cole Hamels will take the ball in what will be his final outing of the 2009 season. It has not been decided whether he will pitch in the opener of the postseason, which will be held in Philadelphia. However far he goes in this afternoon's game, one thing is for certain: Hamels always struggles with the Marlins. Current Marlins are hitting .238 in 234 career plate appearances, but Hamels has not defeated them since 2006. As Hamels tries to get on track for a solid postseason, he will need to locate his fastball to make his other pitches more effective.

Hamels will be opposed by Anibal Sanchez of the Marlins. Sanchez looked sharp in his last outing against the Phillies. But he was roughed up in a shortened start his last time out. Against current Phillies, Sanchez has fared okay, with a .256 batting average against in 105 lifetime plate appearances. The Phillies had trouble with all of his pitches previously, and they will need to be more patient this afternoon. Sanchez has a tendency to get wild, so if the Phillies can wait him out, they will have a good chance to put some runs on the board.

With a number of starters already getting breaks this weekend, today's game should be no different. Look for Hamels to have a limited appearance today and the regulars that get the start to be lifted early. With the Cardinals having lost earlier, the Phillies are assured of home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs, against either the Rockies or the Dodgers. This afternoon's contest is of little importance to the Phillies.