Rockies at Phillies, September 8 2012: Game Time, Lineups, and Preview

Colorado Rockies at Philadelphia Phillies, 5:05 PM MDT

The Rockies very nearly took last night’s series opener with the Phils, on the back of a terrific performance from Jeff Francis (7 K’s!). Alas, Nate Schierholtz, who while with the Giants hit below the Mendoza line in 100+ games against Colorado, hit a walk-off single, and produced one of my least favorite outcomes in the world of professional sports: a win for Jonathan Papelbon. The Rockies face an even tougher opponent on the mound tonight in the person of Cole Hamels, a fearsome lefty who pushes 200 IP and 2o0 K’s every season. Despite that, the Rockies had the second-best batting average against him among NL teams from 2009-2011. Tonight would be an excellent night to hang him out to dry.

Wilin Rosario hopes to find success in the clean-up spot again tonight. Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE

Ryan Howard also gets the start tonight after an injury-riddled season. He’s long been prone to some DL time, but it’s been especially tough for Phillies fans to deal with this time around, considering that the initial injury occurred while he was making the final out of last season’s NLDS. For the Rox, Tyler Colvin and Jordan Pachecho will sit tonight in favor relative newcomers Matt McBride and Andrew Brown. Taking the mound will be Tyler Chatwood, who has been uneven but promising of late.

Dexter Fowler (S) CF
Josh Rutledge (R) SS
Carlos Gonzalez (L) LF
Wilin Rosario (R) C
Andrew Brown (R) RF
Chris Nelson (R) 3B
Matt McBride (R) 1B
DJ LeMahieu (R) 2B
Tyler Chatwood (R) P

Jimmy Rollins (S) SS
Nate Schierholtz (R) RF
Chase Utley (L) 2B
Ryan Howard (L) 1B
John Mayberry (R) CF
Domonic Brown (L) LF
Erik Kratz (R) C
Michael Martinez (S) 3B
Cole Hamels (L) P