Schedule
- Game 1: at Philadelphia, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2:37 p.m.
- Game 2: at Philadelphia, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2:37 p.m.
- Game 3: at Colorado, Saturday, Oct. 10, 9:37 p.m.
- Game 4: (if necessary) at Colorado, Saturday, Oct. 11, TBA
- Game 5: (if necessary) at Philadelphia, Tuesday, Oct. 13, TBA
Phillies projected lineup
- SS Jimmy Rollins (.250, 21 HR, 77 RBI, 31 SB)
- CF Shane Victorino (.292, 10 HR, 62 RBI, 25 SB)
- 2B Chase Utley (.282, 31 HR, 93 RBI, 23 SB)
- 1B Ryan Howard (.279, 45 HR, 141 RBI)
- RF Jayson Werth (.268, 36 HR, 99 RBI)
- LF Raul Ibanez (.272, 34 HR, 93 RBI)
- 3B Pedro Feliz (.266, 12 HR, 82 RBI)
- C Carlos Ruiz (.255, 9 HR, 43 RBI)
- Pitcher
Rockies projected lineup
- CF Dexter Fowler (.266, 4 HR, 34 RBI, 27 SB)
- LF Carlos Gonzalez (.284, 13 HR, 29 RBI)
- 1B Todd Helton (.325, 15 HR, 86 RBI)
- SS Troy Tulowitzki (.297, 32 HR, 92 RBI)
- RF Brad Hawpe (.285, 23 HR, 86 RBI)
- C Yorvit Torrealba (.291, 2 HR, 31 RBI)
- 3B Ian Stewart (.228, 25 HR, 70 RBI)
- 2B Clint Barmes (.245, 23 HR, 76 RBI)
- Pitcher
Phillies projected rotation
- LHP Cliff Lee (14-13, 3.39 ERA combined Indians and Phillies)
- LHP Cole Hamels (10-11, 4.32 ERA)
- RHP Joe Blanton (12-8, 4.05 ERA)
- LHP J.A. Happ (12-4, 2.93 ERA)
Rockies projected rotation
- RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (15-12, 3.47 ERA)
- RHP Aaron Cook (11-6, 4.16 ERA)
- LHP Jorge De La Rosa (16-9, 4.38 ERA)
- RHP Jason Hammel (10-8, 4.33) or
- RHP Jason Marquis (15-13, 4.04)
Inside the matchups
Hitting: The Rockies hit .253 against lefties this season, 11 points lower than they did against righties. And they'll see at least two left-handed starters in this series in Lee and Hamels, and perhaps Happ. It's no coincidence the Rockies are back in the postseason as Tulowitzki had a healthy 2009 after an injury-plagued 2008. He's back on track as one of the league's best players after a great season. Helton had his best season offensively since 2004. But the Phillies are the 12th team in history to have four players hit 30 or more home runs, and they bashed a team-record 224 homers this season. Their top six hitters are arguably better than that any other team in the playoffs. Edge: Phillies.
Bench: Phils manager Charlie Manuel doesn't go to his bench often. Greg Dobbs and Matt Stairs have five homers each in limited action, and Ben Francisco (combined .257, 15 HR, 46 RBI), a throw-in from Cleveland in the Cliff Lee deal, is a decent fourth outfielder. This is where the Rockies shine, however. Seth Smith (.293, 15 HR, 55 RBI) might be the best bench player in the majors if he doesn't start in left field. He hit .472 as a pinch hitter this season. Ryan Spilborghs (.241, 8 HR, 48 RBI), Garrett Atkins (.226, 9 HR) and catcher Chris Ianetta (.228, 16 HR, 52 RBI) all contribute, as does speedy rookie Eric Young Jr. And late-season pickup Jason Giambi (.292, 2 HR, 11 RBI in 24 at-bats) provides another power bat. Jim Tracy has a lot of pinch-hitting options.Edge: Rockies.
Starting pitching: The Rockies have a big issue in De La Rosa, who has won 16 of his last 19 decisions but injured his groin in his final start on Saturday against the Dodgers and won't pitch in the first round. That hurts their chances. Jimenez emerged as a potential ace during the Rockies' 2007 run and is a decent No. 1 starter. Cook, who was injured for the Rockies' big run in 2007 (aside from a Game 4 World Series start), is coming back from injury again, but threw well in his final start against the Brewers. The Phillies are loaded with lefties up top with 2008 AL Cy Young winner Lee (7-4 since he was traded from Cleveland, including a solid start against Colorado) and 2008 World Series MVP Hamels, who lost to the Rockies in the 2007 playoffs. No. 3 starter Blanton has never faced Colorado, and Happ shut down the Rockies in his only start. The rookie lefty could squeeze Pedro Martinez (5-1, 3.63 ERA) out of the rotation for the first round. Edge: Phillies.
Bullpen: Perhaps the biggest question of the entire playoffs is how the Phillies will use Brad Lidge. He's been as imperfect in 2009 (0-8, 7.21 ERA, 31 saves in 42 chances) as he was in 2008 (41 of 41 saves). Manuel will probably go with Lidge initally as the closer, but will have Ryan Madson (5-5, 3.26, 10-16 saves) ready. The Rockies are decent in the bullpen with closer Huston Street (4-1, 3.06, 35-37 saves), lefty Franklin Morales (3-2, 4.50, 7 saves) and setup righty Rafael Betancourt (3-1, 1.78 since coming over from Cleveland). Edge: Rockies.
Why the Phillies will win
They have the experience. They have the home-field advantage, and are 32-14 at Citizens Bank Park since July 1. They have a loaded lineup and top pitching. If they can build a big lead, they won't have to worry about that troubled bullpen.
Why the Rockies will win
No team was hotter in the second half. Since June 4, the Rockies have the second-best record in the majors at 72-38, a half-game worse than the Yankees. Jim Tracy, who took over after Clint Hurdle was fired in May, is 74-42 as manager. They had success in the wild-card role two years ago, and knocked off a favored Phillies team in the first round. They can do it again.
Prediction
Rockies in five.
