2009 NLDS – Colorado Rockies vs. Philadelphia Phillies
With Jorge De La Rosa now out for this series, which gave the Rockies their only left handed start the pitching edge for starters is clearly on the Phillies side. Here is the probable pitching match ups for the first three starts. This is a major disadvantage for the Phillies mainly because they will face two of the National Leagues best left handed pitchers.
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Series odds: Phillies -154
Starting Pitching: The first three starts in this match up clearly favor the St. Louis Cardinals.
Here are the probable pitching match ups.
Ubaldo Jimenez vs. Cliff Lee
Aaron Cook vs. Cole Hamels
Hammel or Marquis Vs. J.A. Happ or Joe Blanton
What is the Rockies weakness on the road? They can’t hit left handed pitchers. They have just a .210 average and are scoring only 3.07 runs per 9 innings against LHP. This just does not look good as they may have to face rookie standout Happ another lefty in Colorado for game #3. Like the Dodgers I liked the Rockies this post season, but I think they both caught rough deals in who they faced in round #1.
Edge: Phillies
Bullpen
Both of these teams have average bullpens and whoever comes out of this series as the winner will most likely not make it to the World Series because of it. Philly’s biggest weakness is closing out games. 
Brad Lidge has 11 blown saves and is not necessarily going to be the closer. Rockies don’t have that issue with their closer with Huston Street being consistent all year long, but getting the ball to Street has been the issue.
Phillies were ranked 13th in the league in terms of bullpen ERA while the Rockies were ranked 24th, but again the closer is much more important than the rest which is why the edge is even here as the Rockies have a huge advantage over the Phillies.
Edge: Phillies
Hitting
Both teams were in the bottom half of the Majors in batting average, but they still were among the top in runs scored. Phillies hit the second-most home runs in baseball this year and were 4th in runs scored. The Rockies were 7th in home runs and 6th in runs.
Still the Phillies have an advantage facing nothing but right handed pitchers. Phillies best hitters are left handed and they have 6 of their 8 players hit lefty or are switch hitters making the injury to Jorge De La Rosa that much worse for the Rockies. You’ve got Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Raul Ibanez. The first 5 guys are all lefty when a right handed pitcher comes to the mound.
It will be too much for the Rockies to over come with their hitters who many will still think is a product of Coors field. Although I will disagree because the Phillies Stadium is a small field built for hitters too.
Edge: Phillies
Pick: Phillies in 4 games.
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One reply on “Rockies vs. Phillies Preview | Pick”
The Phillies pitching has been a bit suspect lately, but they still have a way of finding a way to win. Look for the bats to carry them through this first series.