October 09, 2008
Playoffs Today
The Dodgers and Phillies kick off the NLCS tonight with Derek Lowe facing Cole Hamels. Lowe picked up the win in his LDS start against the Cubs. Coming off a great September, Lowe continued to pound the strike zone, collecting six Ks in his six inning of work with just one walk. The Cubs hit him however, with seven hits and a home run, the long ball something he didn't see the previous month. Of course, he spent September toiling against fairly weak offenses. Lowe did get the win in his only start against the Phillies this season, allowing three runs in 6 1/3 innings. He won't be facing Kyle Kendrick, however.
Cole Hamels totally shut down the Brewers offense in his LDS start. He was efficient and unhittable as he allowed just two hits and a walk to the Brewers while striking out nine. Over eight innings, he threw 101 pitches, 67 for strikes. (Brad Lidge threw 1/3 the amount of Hamels pitches in the ninth, 35.) The Dodgers are a better team against left-handed pitchers, with a 15 rise in batting average, 24 points in OBA and 29 points in slugging percentage. Lowe handled the Dodgers well this season, giving up four earned runs in 14 innings with 12 strikeouts and two walks. Hamels weakness, however, is the home run. He puts so few batters on base, however, that he posted ERAs under three in five of the six month he pitched this season.
Enjoy!