Rockies Look To Even the Competition in Game 1

If it weren't for Hanley Ramirez's yips in the 9th inning yesterday, the Phillies might have begun this week 0-3 in the Ryne Sandberg era but his squad was able to grind out a W against a Dodgers team that hasn't looked this good in a long time. The third place 58-67 Colorado Rockies are coming to town looking like worthy competition to the current Phillies squad which is fourth place in the East at 54-69 right now.  Is a series win in the cards here?

Ethan Martin gets the first crack at them tonight. Martin hasn't exactly put up great numbers so far. He hasn't been horrible either. He just runs into high pitch counts and knocks himself out of games early, but he shows pretty decent stuff so one wonders if he turns the corner eventually. Colorado is a nice place to start.

The Rockies call on Jeff Manship for Game 1 who is making his third start of the season. Manship owns a 0-2 record and a 7.20 ERA. He shouldn't be a problem for the Phillies but we've learned to know better this season. Carlos Gonzalez is still on the DL but there's a few really nice bats the Rockies have in Michael Cuddyer and Troy Tulowitski who have had injruy issues themselves this seaosn.

For the Phillies, Darin Ruf returns to first base tonight as they continue to get a good look a waiver wire pick up Casper Wells. At this point I suppose it's a nice idea to see if he has a future as a 4th or 5th outfielder in the event the John Mayberry era ends. Yesterday's "hero" Michael Young sits again tonight.

LINE UPS

PHILLIES

Rollins 6

Ruiz 2

Utley 4

Brown 7

Ruf 3

Asche 5

Mayberry 8

Wells 9

Martin 1

ROCKIES

Fowler 8

Dickerson 7

Tulowitzki 6

Cuddyer 9

Rosario 2

Helton 3

Arenado 5

LeMahieu 4

Manship 1