Career: 4-1; 2.16 ERA; 6 games/6 starts; 5.62 hits per 9 innings; 2.84 strikeouts/walks; 2 home runs; 0-1 vs. Rockies.
Rockies RHP Aaron Cook
REGULAR SEASON
2009: 11-6; 4.16 ERA; 27 games/27 starts; 9.97 hits per 9 innings; 1.66 strikeouts/walks; 19 home runs; 0-1 vs. Phillies.
Career: 63-50; 4.33 ERA; 197 games/166 starts; 10.30 hits per 9 innings; 1.40 strikeouts/walks; 91 home runs; 1-5 vs. Phillies.
Last start: Oct. 3 vs. Marlins (L), 3 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 K.
POSTSEASON
2009: No stats
Career: 0-1; 4.50 ERA; 1 game/1 start; 9.00 hits per 9 innings; 2/0 strikeouts/walks; 0-0 vs. Phillies.
Last start: Oct. 1 vs. Brewers (W), 8 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 K
3 keys to Game 2
1. Cole's curve. Cole Hamels must use his curveball with confidence and frequency. When he does, it unbalances hitters, who have been sitting on his changeup and crushing his fastball. Even if it isn't a hammer, it's something else. And it confuses the issue going forward when it comes to scouting Hamels: Will he use it in subsequent playoff games? Will it be good?
2. Rising Cook. Phillies hitters must bring Aaron Cook up, the way they did with Ubaldo Jimenez in their Game 1 win yesterday. Cook's strength is a sinker, and, historically, the Phillies have trouble with sinkerball pitchers; they need to take what's given, and that means stringing together base hits, which is what Cook surrenders, in droves. Like the man said, home runs are boring. Besides, they're facist. Or was that strikeouts?
3. The mightier 'pen. This is probably going to be a bullpen game. The Rockies hit, and they are going to hit Hamels, who has been pedestrian this season. So, you figure the 'pen, rested if not rock-solid, will matter. Which means Chad Durbin, Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson get to earn their money today.
