While most of us have been asleep at night this week, the Phillies have been up and at 'em in Los Angeles. Taking the first two of four in Los Angeles, the Phillies will look to take the series win as they welcome back Cole Hamels (2013: 8-14, 3.60 ERA) to the team. Hamels was activated this afternoon after missing the first month of the season due to arm fatigue. Against Hamels and the Phils tonight will be Zack Greinke (3-0, 2.42 ERA), who is looking for his fourth win of the season as well as the Dodgers' first win in this series.
Cole Hamels had a bad year last year, let's face it. With lack of run support most of the time, Hamels also failed to produce himself sometimes. As the first month of the season comes to a close, Hamels is making his first start after missing time (including spring training) with arm fatigue. He will look to give the Phillies, who have scored 10 runs in two games in Los Angeles. In his career against the Dodgers (four starts at in LA), Hamels is 3-1 with a 1.76 ERA.
Zack Greinke has won three of his first four starts to start the season off, and he's been pretty solid during those four starts. His last time on the mound proved to be a no-decision against Arizona on Friday. Greinke tossed six innings, allowing an earned run on three hits while striking out eight. In Greinke's last 16 starts (dating back to 2013), he has gone at least five innings allowing no more than two runs. In his career against Philadelphia, the right-hander is 3-1 with a 2.45 ERA.
Game Notes:
- Cole Hamels is 3-0 with a 2.22 ERA in four starts in LA, but is 1-4 with a 9.55 ERA in his first start of the season over the past five years.
- Chase Utley is back in the lineup after taking the night off last night.
- The Phillies optioned B.J. Rosenberg to Triple-A this afternoon to make room for Cole Hamels.
Tonight's Lineups:
Phillies lineup:
- Ben Revere CF
- Jimmy Rollins SS
- Chase Utley 2B
- Ryan Howard 1B
- Marlon Byrd RF
- Domonic Brown LF
- Carlos Ruiz C
- Freddy Galvis 3B
- Cole Hamels P.
Dodgers lineups:
- Yasiel Puig RF
- Andre Ethier LF
- Hanley Ramirez SS
- Matt Kemp CF
- Scott Van Slyke 1B
- Juan Uribe 3B
- Justin Turner 2B
- Drew Butera C
- Zack Greinke P.
First Pitch: 10:10 PM ET
Location: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California
Weather: 70° – Sunny – 0% Precip
TV: CSN
Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.
