Rockies at Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies haven't been four games under .500 in nearly 2 1/2 months, and their recent stretch of 10 wins in 14 games has them within seven games of the St. Louis Cardinals for the second wild card spot in the National League. While the odds are not in their favor, the Phillies will play their next 12 games against sub-.500 clubs and could make a run at a playoff spot. Left-hander Cole Hamels will take the mound Saturday in the second of three games vs. Colorado.
The Rockies saw a pair of stellar streaks come to an end, but could not halt the one they wanting in suffering their third consecutive defeat. Colorado has managed only two runs during the skid and has scored in only one of 27 innings during that span. The Rockies had not allowed an earned run in 36 innings before the Phillies rallied for three runs over the final three innings to win the series opener 3-2.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), CSN (Philadelphia)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Tyler Chatwood (4-4, 5.53 ERA) vs. Phillies LH Cole Hamels (14-6, 3.04)
Chatwood had a clunker last time out, going only three innings and permitting six runs - five earned - on only three hits and a season-high five walks in a loss at Atlanta. He had allowed two earned runs or fewer in his six previous starts. Chatwood continues to put too many runners on base, as evidenced by an ugly 1.88 WHIP in six appearances (three starts) away from home.
Hamels allowed three runs for the third straight outing and earned his second straight no-decision last time out against Atlanta. He is 3-0 in his last five outings, which includes back-to-back shutouts against Miami and the Braves. Hamels turned in a dominating performance against the Rockies in Colorado on July 15, giving up one run on six hits and striking out seven in eight innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Hamel is seeking his 15th win, which would match his career high set in 2007.
2. Colorado's bullpen set a team record with 20 consecutive scoreless innings Friday and then saw the mark snapped in the very next frame.
3. Phillies LF Juan Pierre went 3-for-4 Friday and is batting .364 (108-for-297) lifetime against the Rockies.