We are about to learn what happens when two stretch-running stakes horses match up in a best-of-five series. Have two ballclubs ever gone into the postseason on a hotter roll? Having rested ace Cole Hamels to run the first leg, plus the homefield advantage, gives the Phillies a photo edge in what could be the best of the division matchups. The Rockies rock on offense and have the NL's stingiest defense - despite leather liability, MVP co-favorite, Matt Holliday in left. Clint Hurdle's pitching is young, deep, fearless and wild enough to keep hitters off balance.
We are about to learn what happens when two stretch-running stakes horses match up in a best-of-five series. Have two ballclubs ever gone into the postseason on a hotter roll? Having rested ace Cole Hamels to run the first leg, plus the homefield advantage, gives the Phillies a photo edge in what could be the best of the division matchups. The Rockies rock on offense and have the NL's stingiest defense - despite leather liability, MVP co-favorite, Matt Holliday in left. Clint Hurdle's pitching is young, deep, fearless and wild enough to keep hitters off balance.
The Phillies have great top-to-bottom power. They also have the National League's best lineup speed. Jimmy Rollins previewed the winning blueprint for the East Champions - sounds good, right? - in Sunday's tour de force: Single, steal, steal, jog home on Chase Utley's sac fly. Charlie Manuel has to remember that his ballclub's great surge from seven back to one ahead was fueled by a withering balance between smallball and longball, not just touch-'em-all heroics. That should work for the better part of October.
My pick: Cole Hamels will bring enough order to an entertaining, high-scoring series to bring the Phillies home.
-- Phillies in 5.
Sam Donnellon
Tuesday night, towels waving, Cole Hamels on the hill looking for his second victory of this short series with a national television audience watching. It doesn't get any bigger than this.
Tuesday night, towels waving, Cole Hamels on the hill looking for his second victory of this short series with a national television audience watching. It doesn't get any bigger than this.
This is the October that Cole Hamels goes from a local hero to a national name. Two victories over a team as prolific, and hot, as the Colorado Rockies will begin a career that will etch him onto the list of big-game arms, guys who could channel their lust for the spotlight rather than be consumed by it.
Between then and now though, hold on. Rooting for your team against these guys will be like wishing a house to land upright amid a hurricane.
-- Phillies in 5.
Paul Hagen
The Rockies have been on a roll, but needed an extra day and extra innings to lock up their playoff spot. The Phillies have their starting rotation lined up and their once-a-day bullpen has gotten 2 days off.
The Rockies have been on a roll, but needed an extra day and extra innings to lock up their playoff spot. The Phillies have their starting rotation lined up and their once-a-day bullpen has gotten 2 days off.
The homefield advantage could make the difference.
-- Phillies in 5.
Marcus Hayes
Pit two hitting teams with two suspect pitching staffs against each other and it falls to defense, speed and bullpens.
Pit two hitting teams with two suspect pitching staffs against each other and it falls to defense, speed and bullpens.
The Phillies' bullpen has been remarkably efficient, if not pedigreed; the Rockies', young and talented.
The Phillies are the more efficient basestealers in history - and don't run enough, considering the strikeout/home run dilemma their lineup presents.
Both teams are hot. Both teams backed in.
A nod to the Rockies. Call it a gut.
-- Rockies in 5.
Rich Hofmann
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.
