2009 MLB NLDS Preview Rockies vs. Phillies
National League Post-Season Division Series Prediction
Oct 4, 2009
The defending World Series champions Philadelphia Phillies begin their quest back to the Promised Land, but inconsistencies in the bullpen and the pressures of a repeat may give the champs a bit of a bumpy ride.
NLDS Philadelphia Phillies vs. Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies have been playing fantastic baseball as of late, and they managed to make it interesting against the Los Angeles Dodgers at the end of the regular season that saw the Rockies pushing for the National League West title. However, they had to settle with the wild card, but they're not complaining.
The Phillies weren't as solid as they should have been at the end of the season, but they pretty much had the NL East wrapped up in August. Rollins, Utley and Howard have been crushing the ball all over the field as of late, and Shane Victorino has been nothing short of stellar all season long.
Things seem to be set into place for the NL East Champions; however, poor outings from their closer Brad Lidge have hurt the defending champions, and could ultimately cost them big games in the post- season if he doesn't get it together.
Remember the time when Brad Lidge was lights out when he took the mound? Yeah, that was a while ago. Where did THAT Brad Lidge go?
In 2008, Lidge was 2-0 with a 1.75 ERA and did not blow a save all year (41/41). This year, his numbers have been hurting. Lidge is 0-8, and sporting a dismal 7.21 ERA and 11 blown saves (31/42).
Since Lidge isn't as dominant as he was last season, it will be up to the starters for the Phillies to go deep into games and ice the hot Rockies' bats.
Pitching Matchups for the NLDS
The Phillies won the season series 4-2.
Game 1: Colorado -Ubaldo Jimenez vs. Philadelphia- Cole Hamels
Game 2: Colorado-Jorge De La Rosa vs. Philadelphia- Cliff Lee
Game 3: Philadelphia- Joe Blanton vs. Colorado- Aaron Cook
Game 4: TBD vs. TBD (If Nesc.)
Game 5: TBD vs. TBD (If Nesc.)
The pitching edge heavily favors the Phillies in this short five-game series.
De La Rosa and Aaron Cook both came out empty handed against the Phillies. De La Rosa (16-9,0-2 against Philadelphia) was hammered in both his outings this season, and Cook (11-6, 0-1 against Philadelphia) pitched a gem in a losing effort against Cliff Lee on August 6th.
For the Phillies, Cole Hamels lost his outing against the Rockies back on April 10th. Joe Blanton has yet to face this offensively explosive Rockies team this season, which could help Colorado out. Blanton has been another inconsistent pitcher in the Phillies rotation, but in this series, the Rockies could be in a difficult situation.
If Colorado sticks around in this series and squeezes out a win against the defending champions, they may have to face the Phillies second wave of hurlers in outstanding rookie JA Happ and Pedro Martinez.
Rockies Bats Must Keep Up With Philadelphia Sluggers
Phillies batters Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez, Ryan Howard, and Jason Werth all have over 20 homeruns this season and have over 75 RBIs each.
Troy Tulowitzki, Clint Barmes, Ryan Spilborghs, and Brad Hawpe have been explosive all season but have sputtered against big name pitchers in big game situations.
The Rockies have been averaging 4.5 runs per game since September 1st which will cause a problem. A lack of run support for their starters will hurt their chances at keeping this series close, especially since Colorado has allowed an average of 4 runs per game in the past 34 games.
Everyone loves the underdog in situations where they play the defending champions. Colorado was the Cinderella story of 2007 when they made it all the way to the World Series, only to lose to the Boston Red Sox in a four game sweep.
For the Phillies, it's going to be tough. The pressures of back-to-back championships could give the Rockies a slight edge overall in the series. However, the depth of the Phillies pitching rotation and the talent and grit of their batters are just too much in this series for the loveable Rockies from Colorado.
