Phillies And Cole Hamels Open Up Series Against D-Backs, Tuffy Gosewisch

The Phillies have certainly been entertaining these past two nights. Taking three of four from the Rockies, the Phillies have won two straight games and have a 5-5 record in their last 10 games. As September moves right around the corner and it becomes apparent that the Phillies have nothing to lose, they may finally start playing well – hopefully. At 57-70 and 20 games back in the division, the Phils will kickoff a three-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Cole Hamels (5-13, 3.61 ERA) will take on Wade Miley (9-8, 3.56 ERA) in a lefty-faceoff in the opener.

Believe it or not, Cole Hamels has been one of the best pitchers in baseball over the last two months. Despite starting off the season in nightmare fashion, the veteran lefthander has gone 3-2 with a 2.05 ERA over his last nine starts. In that 66 inning stretch, Hamels has struck out 55 hitters to comment his 8 walks issued. In his last outing, on Sunday against the Dodgers, Hamels went seven frames – allowing two earned runs on seven hits while striking out eight batters. The result was a no-decision as the Phillies were unable to mount any runs for support (they ended up winning in walkoff fashion). On May 9, Hamels was handed a tough loss against the Dbacks after allowing two earned runs over six innings. In his career against the Dbacks, Hamels is 4-2 with a 3.42 ERA.

Wade Miley has not lost a decision since July 20 against the Giants. In that stretch, Miley is 3-0 with a 2.00 ERA. His last time out, Miley was solid against the Pirates, allowing two earned runs over eight innings of work. Allowing two walks and striking out eight, Miley was handed a no-decision. Over his last 10 starts, the lefthander has a 2.10 ERA and has struck out 52 batters and walked 21. Miley has not faced the Phils this season. His only career start against Philadelphia was a winning decision over six scoreless frames. 

Game Notes: 

• The Phillies are 4-3 since Ryne Sandberg took over as manager (interim).
• Roger Bernadina made his Phillies debut last night, going 0-4 with two strike outs against the Rockies.
• Cole Hamels is 4 wins shy of 100 for his career. 
• Former Phillies minor leaguer Tuffy Gosewisch makes the start behind the plate tonight for the Diamondbacks.

Phillies lineup: 

1. Michael Young 3B
2. Kevin Frandsen 1B
3. Chase Utley 2B
4. Domonic Brown LF
5. Carlos Ruiz C
6. Darin Ruf RF
7. John Mayberry Jr. CF
8. John McDonald SS
9. Cole Hamels P

Dbacks lineup:

1. A.J. Pollock RF
2. Adam Eaton CF
3. Paul Goldschmidt 1B
4. Martin Prado 3B
5. Aaron Hill 2B
6. Matt Davidson LF
7. Cliff Pennington SS
8. Tuffy Gosewisch C
9. Wade Miley P

First Pitch Forecast: Partly Cloudy – 79° – 20% PoP

TV: CSN
Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT

Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter.