After a phenomenal win scoring 4 in the 8th inning and then 4 in the 9th on Thursday night to win the series against the Dodgers and their favorite closer (Broxton), the Phightin’ Phils begin a new series tonight in New York City against the Mets at the expansive Citi Field.
PHI -127 (Hamels) @ NYM +107 (Dickey)
The last time the Philadelphia Philles had the pleasure of visiting Citi Field, they left without scoring a run... for the entire series. Since, however, the Phils have gotten things going in the right direction and now find themselves 2 games back of the Atlanta Braves and the Mets, on the other hand, have been heading the opposite way; now are in a deep hole and will begin tonight attempting to dig themselves out of it against a divisional rival and team they trail in the standings.
The Phillies are coming off three straight series wins and 5 of their last six, have won 16 of their last 20 contests and hand the ball to Cole Hamels tonight to get this series off on the right foot.
Hamels (13-10, 3.45) took the loss the last time out, against the New York Mets, and once again, pitched fantastically against Santana. The Phils lost that game 1-0, Hamels went 7 and struck out a season high 11 in the loss. The Phils once again didn’t support Hamels, whose numbers are all-star quality, just not loaded with wins in the record column.
Hamels has consistently struggled against the Mets in his career, posting a 2-6 record in 68 innings pitched, but has a 3.71 ERA in those outings. Once again, it appears the Phils just dont like to support the guy.
But, the Phils are on fire, and keep finding ways to win games. Victorino returned from the DL last night in a pinch hit role, one in which he walked and started the 4 run 8th inning. The Phils also had Howard and Utley on the field pregame taking grounders, working on their glove work. The train is rolling along nicely, just as always over the last 4 seasons. The Phils have this division right where they want it, and betting against them is clearly a mistake as the season heads deep into August.
R.A. Dickey (8-8, 2.65) gets to take his shot at the Phils again tonight. His last time out on the 8th, he lasted a whopping 3 innings and gave up 4 earned on 8 hits. He also issued one walk and gave up two homeruns. He will need a more spirited effort to get the win tonight, more of what he has consistently provided all season. With that 2.65 ERA, Dickey has proven to be difficult to deal with that 84 heat and dancing knuckler. But, kinda like Hamels, Dickey just hasn’t gotten any support. In his last ten starts, the Mets are 3-7, but Dickey has only allowed a combined 18 earned in those ten starts.
The Phils do consistently struggle at Citi Field and against the Mets, especially with these two guys taking the hill, I just can’t see any reason why you would go against the Phils here considering their red hot role and Hamels on the bump.
The Phils, once again, are proving that they are the class of the division (and the league really) with walk off wins, persistence, and now fantastic pitching. The Halladay-Hamels-Oswalt 1-2-3 is certainly proving to be an amazing group, and if the Phils continue to bash out these wins in the Blanton and Kendrick outings from time to time, they will find themselves running away with the division once again.
Today’s pick: Phils and the over.
Parlay Pieces:
TAM and Shields at home over Balt.
ATL and Hudson at home over LAD.
STL and Westbrook at home over CHC.
Best of Luck today, all. Go get 'em.
PHI -127 (Hamels) @ NYM +107 (Dickey)
The last time the Philadelphia Philles had the pleasure of visiting Citi Field, they left without scoring a run... for the entire series. Since, however, the Phils have gotten things going in the right direction and now find themselves 2 games back of the Atlanta Braves and the Mets, on the other hand, have been heading the opposite way; now are in a deep hole and will begin tonight attempting to dig themselves out of it against a divisional rival and team they trail in the standings.
The Phillies are coming off three straight series wins and 5 of their last six, have won 16 of their last 20 contests and hand the ball to Cole Hamels tonight to get this series off on the right foot.
Hamels (13-10, 3.45) took the loss the last time out, against the New York Mets, and once again, pitched fantastically against Santana. The Phils lost that game 1-0, Hamels went 7 and struck out a season high 11 in the loss. The Phils once again didn’t support Hamels, whose numbers are all-star quality, just not loaded with wins in the record column.
Hamels has consistently struggled against the Mets in his career, posting a 2-6 record in 68 innings pitched, but has a 3.71 ERA in those outings. Once again, it appears the Phils just dont like to support the guy.
But, the Phils are on fire, and keep finding ways to win games. Victorino returned from the DL last night in a pinch hit role, one in which he walked and started the 4 run 8th inning. The Phils also had Howard and Utley on the field pregame taking grounders, working on their glove work. The train is rolling along nicely, just as always over the last 4 seasons. The Phils have this division right where they want it, and betting against them is clearly a mistake as the season heads deep into August.
R.A. Dickey (8-8, 2.65) gets to take his shot at the Phils again tonight. His last time out on the 8th, he lasted a whopping 3 innings and gave up 4 earned on 8 hits. He also issued one walk and gave up two homeruns. He will need a more spirited effort to get the win tonight, more of what he has consistently provided all season. With that 2.65 ERA, Dickey has proven to be difficult to deal with that 84 heat and dancing knuckler. But, kinda like Hamels, Dickey just hasn’t gotten any support. In his last ten starts, the Mets are 3-7, but Dickey has only allowed a combined 18 earned in those ten starts.
The Phils do consistently struggle at Citi Field and against the Mets, especially with these two guys taking the hill, I just can’t see any reason why you would go against the Phils here considering their red hot role and Hamels on the bump.
The Phils, once again, are proving that they are the class of the division (and the league really) with walk off wins, persistence, and now fantastic pitching. The Halladay-Hamels-Oswalt 1-2-3 is certainly proving to be an amazing group, and if the Phils continue to bash out these wins in the Blanton and Kendrick outings from time to time, they will find themselves running away with the division once again.
Today’s pick: Phils and the over.
Parlay Pieces:
TAM and Shields at home over Balt.
ATL and Hudson at home over LAD.
STL and Westbrook at home over CHC.
Best of Luck today, all. Go get 'em.