Game times set for rest of series
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Game times set for rest of series
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
UPDATED: After the Angels' come-from-behind win today, Major League Baseball announced games times for the remainder of the Phillies-Rockies series.
Thanks to the Yankees' 4-1 victory over Minnesota that clinched their series sweep, Game 4 of Phillies-Rockies will be at 6:07 p.m. Eastern on Monday.
If Game 5 is necessary for Tuesday, Phillies-Rockies will be at 8:07 at Citizens Bank Park.
From earlier:
Pivotal. I can't think of a better word to describe tonight's Game 3 match-up between Jason Hammel and J.A. Happ. Whichever team loses will have to win two straight games against the opposition's two best pitchers. While the Rockies certainly don't want to face Cliff Lee in an elimination game, the Phillies can't feel much better about the possibility of facing Ubaldo Jimenez in a similar situation.
Here's a look at tonight's game:
Rockies Game 3 starter: Jason Hammel (10-8, 4.33 ERA)
Hammel, a 6-foot-6, 26-year-old righthander, has improved steadily since breaking into the big leagues in 2006 with the Rays. He started 30 games this season and appeared as a reliever in four others, allowing 1.387 walks/hits per inning pitched. He has allowed 17 home runs.
Hammel picked up a win over the Phillies on Aug. 4, allowing three runs on nine hits while striking out six in 6 2/3 innings of an 8-3 Rockies victory at Citizens Bank Park. He also pitched two innings of relief at Coors Field on April 11, allowing two runs on five hits in 2 2/3 innings.
The numbers show that Hammel is a much better pitcher on the road than at home. But in his last five home starts, he has allowed 13 earned runs in 31 2/3 innings for a 3.70 ERA. One of those starts came against the Dodgers on Aug. 25, when he allowed two runs on eight hits in seven innings.
Hammel's 2009 Splits
vs. right: .290/.322/.441, 9 HR
vs. left: .289/.344/.441, 8 HR
Home: 3-3, 5.73 ERA, .330/.366/.530, 16 games, 12 HR
Away: 7-5, 3.13ERA, .250/.303/.354, 18 games, 5 HR
Sept/Oct.: 2-1, 4.08, .228 BAA, 7 games, 5 HR
vs. Phillies
Jimmy Rollins: 2/5, HR, 2 RBI
Shane Victorino: 3/5, 2B, BB
Chase Utley: 1/4, SO, RBI
Ryan Howard: 0/4, SO
Jayson Werth: 1/4, SO
Raul Ibanez: 4/8, 2B, HR, 2 SO
Pedro Feliz: 2/4, RBI, SO
Carlos Ruiz: 1/3, 2B
Matt Stairs: 5/8, 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI
Ben Francisco: 0/3, 2 SO
Paul Bako 1/2, RBI, SO
Greg Dobbs: 0/2
Keys to the game
The Phillies need the middle of their order to step up today, starting with second baseman Chase Utley, who is 2-for-8 with three strikeouts in the first two games of the series. Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino are no good on base if Utley can't either drive them in or move them over.
Charlie Manuel might consider flip-flopping Raul Ibanez and Jayson Werth in the batting order. The last thing he wants is a key late-game situation where Franklin Morales can face three straight lefties. But the key to tonight's game will be jumping on Hammel early. Ibanez is 4-for-8 this postseason and 4-for-8 off Hammel in his career. With Utley struggling, Manuel might decide he needs to give Ibanez a chance to hit with two out and Victorino and/or Rollins on base. But in addition to three straight lefties in the middle of the order, it would give the Phillies three straight righties at the bottom. If Manuel keeps the order as is, Utley and Howard will need to come up huge.
It won't be as cold as yesterday, but the game-time temperature is forecast to be around 35 degrees, which would still be one of the coldest postseason games ever played.
Maybe I'm crazy, but I wish Pedro was still pitching Game 3.— PhightinPhil- I agree that offense is the key while Happ does his best the hold them. Also agree that Ibanez would be better used as the #6 hitter. As for Rollins and Utley they both have been on vacation. Its time to move Utley out of the #3 slot and maybe replace him with Rollins who likes to swing for the fences anyway. The change in hitting duties might help Chase who just needs to think single at this point in the slump. If you haven't noticed Ryan is doing a great job of hitting for the Phils but if you're one who need HRs to prove greatness well I guess he falls down. Ryan is hitting as good as his MVP year and we just need to put runners on in front of him. Instead we have Howard getting on and the lower part of the order driving him in, not a good thing. Finally playing in 35 degree weather is just horrible for hitters even with gloves and you can look for Hammel to pitch inside a lot. MLB should be ashamed for allowing Turner to slot this game start at 10:07 pm when the Dodger are idle.— Wally 24
- If you can't win two-out-of-three with Happ-Lee-Hamels, there's a serious problem. I fear a sluggish effort coming from the offense tonight, which they are prone to have, especially when it's cold. No excuses!— Brian F.
- Pedro pitching in the cold worried me, I like this much better. We need to see some offense tonight and put this game away early.— smfree31
Comment removed.- Smart money says that unless Happ is Lee-esque and pitches a complete game, Pedro gets some relief work tonight to get him "warmed up" a bit so he can be used later in the playoffs.— DrM
- I am glad Happ is pitching because Colorado (the location not the team) is murder on breaking pitches and ball movement, which Pedro relies on. As for Rollins 3rd, try 8th or 9th. He is the third worst OBP in the entire league out of all players-- or the 3rd most efficient out maker. You really make it tough on your team starting off the game with, and giving the most plate appearances to, one of the leagues worst offensive players.— jtj06
- If MLB and the owners want the revenue for the longer season, then force them to put a roof on the stadiums where you get this weather in October. Can you imagine a Boston/Colorado world series in November some year? MLB better hope for Angels/Dodgers or Minn/Dodgers because we are going to see terrible weather more often.— scootch
- The league went to a 162 game season so long ago most of you weren't even born but I seem to remember they got the World series done in relatively warm weather. Of coarse we weren't playing in Colorado then but we were playing in Minnesota. I think if you have to have all these mini playoff series we should go back to the old 154 game season and play double headers, then you would be sure to get baseball done in time. I know we won't, because greed usually wins out over common sense, but it would be nice to see anyway. Also instead of having 3 divisions in each league just have 2 with one NLCS and ALCS SERIES then the World Series.— Wally 24
- look for very little out of the offense tonight.— gulls3012
- PhightinPhil - Yes, maybe you are crazy.— itsRyan
- These gametimes are unbelievable...could it be any more obvious that the evil empire gets primetime every game...just the fact that they list the 2 different start times based on whether or not the yanks are playing is proof enough. That's BS!— Bleue
- I would not look forward to hitting in freezing temperatures tonight but the bottom line is both teams have to play in it so there is no reason to complain. Our pitching needs to live on the inside corner and after enough hands get numb maybe JA blank them. Also Happ needs to remember to challenge with the high fast ball out of the zone. The National league is a low strike and low ball hitting league & you won't get away with challenging good hitters down low too many times.— Wally 24
- Comment removed.
- It makes no sense that they wont set the phils game time in stone and fluctuate the yankees/twins if they have a game. Utterly ridiculous!!
