Phillies Open Series In Arizona Behind Hamels
By Matt Leon
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – After taking two out of three in San Francisco against the defending world champion Giants, the Phillies now open a four game series in the desert against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Phillies played some of their best baseball in San Francisco, even in losing the series finale on Wednesday the Phillies gave you a reason to be encouraged. Trailing 3-1, the Fightins' scored twice in the 9th off of Giants closer Sergio Romo to force extra-innings before falling 4-3 in the 10th.
Cole Hamels will get the start for the Phillies in this series opener. Hamels is just 1-4 on the season with a 4.34 ERA. But in his last five starts, Hamels has pitched to the tune of a 2.31 earned run average. The problem is, the Phillies bats have hung him out to dry, scoring just nine runs, total, in those five games. In his career against Arizona, Hamels is 4-1 in seven starts with a 3.47 ERA.
Arizona starts a young left-hander named Patrick Corbin. He has thrown the ball very well in 2013, going 4-0 in his first six starts with a 1.80 ERA. He has never faced the Phillies in his career.
The Phillies are 16-19 heading into this game, they sit five games out of first in National League East. The Diamondbacks are 19-15 and just a game behind the first-place Giants in National League West.
KYW's Matt Leon spoke with Corey Seidman of Phillies Nation about this series opener.
You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.
