This series presents a 2007 rematch the Phils would like to forget.
In an intriguing matchup of the last two NL pennant winners, many believe Colorado is the favorite in this series again, but seriously, the Phils are the defending champs, winners of 93 games, with a stacked lineup as good as any in baseball, and due to their huge attendance this year, the gross/money to rent proven hurlers like Cliff Lee and Pedro Martinez to make a run at a repeat.
(Yes, Philly fans will angrily attack me for this as you did before, but you guys are nearly as “guilty” as the Yanks or Red Sox of acquiring key free agents to put you over the top — see Lidge, Brad in 2008, Ibanez, Raul this season as well as Werth, Jayson; Lee, Cliff; Martinez, Pedro, etc.)
Here is the TV schedule and the pitching matchups for the Rockies-Phillies LDS series:
Rockies-Phillies NLDS TV Schedule and Pitching Matchups
| Game | Matchup | Day | Date | Time | TV | Pitching Matchup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gm 1 | COL @ PHI | Wed | 10/7 | 2:37 | TBS | Ubaldo Jimenez v Cliff Lee |
| Gm 2 | COL @ PHI | Thu | 10/8 | 2:37 | TBS | Aaron Cook v Cole Hamels |
| Gm 3 | PHI @ COL | Sat | 10/10 | 9:37 | TBS | TBD |
| Gm 4 | PHI @ COL | Sun | 10/11 | TBD | TBS | TBD |
| Gm 5 | COL @ PHI | Tue | 10/13 | TBD | TBS | TBD |
Harkening back to their magical 2007 run, the Rockies are quite dangerous, but I have major questions about their starting pitching.Â
Jorge De La Rosa, their top winner, who pitched suspectly his last few starts, is now ruled out for the series. After he and Ubaldo Jimenez, the Rockies have the 20 million dollar duo of Aaron Cook and Jose Contreras, which shouldn’t exactly instill fear in the hearts of Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez, Jimmy Rollins, Jay Werth and Ryan Howard.Â
Philadelphia’s incredible lineup socked nine homers in six games vs Colorado this season as the Phils took four of six. They simply have unparalleled hitting depth. And while so do the Rockies, they hit lefties poorly, and Philly could throw lefties — including 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels – in the first three games, definitely the first two at home, beginning with Cliff Lee. Colorado’s lineup, though perhaps not quite as impressive on paper, is still not to be underestimated.
In 2007, the Phils were guilty of that, and judging by their media “introducing” its fan base to Colorado as if they’re some unknown entity, we should hope this is not true again. I doubt it is. The Phils have an Appalachian skipper who is the antithesis of the sheltered northeastern baseball fan that only follow his team and its immediate rivals, and that is a very good thing. The calmness and lack of capriciousness from Charlie Manuel is the best thing to happen to Philadelphia baseball in eons.
And while few will deny the Phillies’ shaky bullpen will be the talk of their postseason, Colorado’s 4.53 bullpen ERA is worst among the eight playoff teams, despite the solid work of Houston Street. Big Ryan Madson or whomever closes in lieu of Brad Lidge , need not be a panacea, but he must be extremely effective if the Phils are to repeat, considering Lidge was literally perfect in 2008.
Two Octobers ago, the Rockies waltzed into Citizens Bank Yard and pummelled the shocked Phillies two afternoons in a row. This year’s version is 74-42 under Jim Tracy, as they arrive in the postseason as the NL’s hottest team. But this 2009 Philly team proved last year they learned from that. They’re not out for revenge, which is always preferred.
For more on the Rockies, go here.
The Phillies blueprint can be located here.
About AJ Kaufman
