Everybody, with good reason, sees this as a potential offensive orgy. (Now watch the first game be 1-0). All you need to know is that a couple of weeks ago, the Phillies and Rockies dropped 12 runs on each other on consecutive nights. They might just as well station a seventh umpire in the flower beds in leftfield at Citizens Bank Park. It's really gonna be that kind of a series.
Everybody, with good reason, sees this as a potential offensive orgy. (Now watch the first game be 1-0). All you need to know is that a couple of weeks ago, the Phillies and Rockies dropped 12 runs on each other on consecutive nights. They might just as well station a seventh umpire in the flower beds in leftfield at Citizens Bank Park. It's really gonna be that kind of a series.
But, Cole Hamels, twice, on full rest, will be the difference.
-- Phillies in 5.
Steve King
Don't be surprised if we see at least two games of 10 runs or more from both teams, as the top two offenses in the National League battle it out. Colorado's top three hitters, Matt Holliday, Todd Helton and Garrett Atkins, all hit above .300 and hit a combined .368 against the Phillies' starting playoff rotation. The Phillies this season hit .266 as a team in seven games against the Rockies. The biggest key to this series is going to be defense. There is absolutely no room for error. The Rockies committed 68 errors, the fewest in baseball; the Phillies had 89, second-fewest in the NL. But if ace Cole Hamels, who has yet to face the Rockies in his career, can pull out a victory in Game 1, look for the Phillies to win.
Don't be surprised if we see at least two games of 10 runs or more from both teams, as the top two offenses in the National League battle it out. Colorado's top three hitters, Matt Holliday, Todd Helton and Garrett Atkins, all hit above .300 and hit a combined .368 against the Phillies' starting playoff rotation. The Phillies this season hit .266 as a team in seven games against the Rockies. The biggest key to this series is going to be defense. There is absolutely no room for error. The Rockies committed 68 errors, the fewest in baseball; the Phillies had 89, second-fewest in the NL. But if ace Cole Hamels, who has yet to face the Rockies in his career, can pull out a victory in Game 1, look for the Phillies to win.
-- Phillies in 4.
John Smallwood
For once, the pitching favors the Phillies.
For once, the pitching favors the Phillies.
Not only did they catch a break with Colorado having to play the tiebreaker, but the Rockies had to go 13 innings.
With Cole Hamels getting two starts, the Phillies seemingly would need just one win out of Kyle Kendrick, Kyle Lohse or Jamie Moyer.
The big bats will be swinging and expect lots of runs.
-- Phillies in 4.
