Phillies-Rockies scouting report

Rockies: RHP Ubaldo Jimenez, RHP Aaron Cook, RHP Jason Hammel. When it comes to pure stuff, Game 1 starter Jimenez is one of the elite pitchers in the game. It's not uncommon for him to still be throwing 97-98 mph after 120 pitches and he has the ability to change speeds. Has a tendency to rise to the occasion, although he can have first-inning problems. Cook, who will start Game 2, is one of the few pitchers who can survive with one pitch. When his sinker is working, he throws strikes and gets a lot of grounders, giving him a chance to be effective at Citizens Bank Park. Has picked up a four-seam fastball for a different look and can also change speeds. The loss of Jorge De La Rosa to a strained groin hurts, since he was the Rockies' only lefthanded starter and the team had won 16 of his last 20 starts. Jason Hammel will start Game 3 instead of veteran Jason Marquis. The decision was made largely on the basis of Marquis' late fade (four wins after All-Star break, 6.05 ERA the final month) while Hammel went 5-2, 3.87 after Aug. 1.

Phillies: LHP Cliff Lee, LHP Cole Hamels, TBA. The Rockies were 27-26 when a lefthander started against them this season, so it's no surprise that Lee and Hamels get the first two assignments at Citizens Bank Park. Both have been inconsistent in recent weeks, but Lee is the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner and Hamels was voted MVP of both the NLCS and World Series last year, so the Phillies are counting on big efforts from both. The Game 3 starter hasn't been announced and it will probably come down to how the first two games go and if J.A. Happ or Joe Blanton are used out of the bullpen.

ADVANTAGE: SLIGHT EDGE PHILLIES

Bullpen

 

Rockies: Closer RHP Huston Street. RHPs Matt Belisle, Matt Daley, Rafael Betancourt, Jose Conteras, Jason Marquis; LHPs Franklin Morales, Joe Beimel. Street bounced back from a season in Oakland during which he lost his closer's role to save 34 games in 36 opportunities. Betancourt is usually used in the eighth inning and Morales in the seventh, although that could be reversed depending on matchups. Morales and Beimel give manager Jim Tracy lefthanded options late in the game. Betancourt and Beimel were midseason acquisitions. Belisle and Daley were nonroster invitees to spring training. Daley has been a revelation since being called up at the end of April, throwing strikes from a funky delivery that makes it difficult for hitters to pick the ball up.

Phillies: RHPs Ryan Madson, Brad Lidge, Brett Myers, Chad Durbin, Kyle Kendrick; LHPs Scott Eyre, Antonio Bastardo. Managing his relievers will be Charlie Manuel's biggest challenge due to injuries (J.C. Romero, Chan Ho Park) and the season-long inconsistency of Lidge. No closer has been designated but it seems likely that Madson would be the first option, possibly pitching both the eighth and ninth. Myers, coming off a sore shoulder, could be a key since he has experience closing. For the first two games, at least, RHP Joe Blanton and LHP J.A. Happ will be available out of the 'pen.

ADVANTAGE: BIG EDGE TO ROCKIES