Saturday: Phillies’ Jamie Moyer (14-12, 5.01) at Rockies’ Ubaldo Jimenez (4-4, 4.28), 7:37 p.m., TBS
Sunday: Phillies’ Kyle Lohse (9-12, 4.62) at Rockies’ Mark Redman (2-4, 7.62), 8:37 p.m., TBS, if necessary
Monday: Off day
Tuesday: Rockies’ Jeff Francis (17-9, 4.22) at Phillies’ Cole Hamels (15-5, 3.39), 4:37 p.m., if necessary
Note: Records/ERA are for regular season only
ROCKIES PITCHING
In Game 2 in Philadelphia, rookie left-hander Franklin Morales came off the starting line with his engine revved so high he nearly blew a gasket. That prompted manager Clint Hurdle to pull Morales after three innings and insert veteran Josh Fogg. The Rockies start another rookie in Saturday night’s Game 5, but Hurdle has no doubts that Ubaldo Jimenez is ready for prime time. Hurdle’s faith was confirmed Sunday on the final day of the regular season. Starting a game the Rockies had to win to make the playoffs, Morales threw 6 1/3 innings, allowing one run on one hit. He struck out 10 and walked four in the Rockies’ 4-3 win.
“The game he pitched for us on Sunday will speak for itself in Rockies history because it was truly electric stuff,” Hurdle said today.
Jimenez can reach 100 mph with his fastball, and he’s learning to master a hard slider, a deceptive changeup and a good curve. The Phillies have never gone against him.
“He’s got ridiculous stuff,” Rockies No. 1 starter Jeff Francis said.
There’s no debate about that. But in order for the Rockies to knock off the Phillies and move on to the National League Championship Series for the first time in club history, he has to handle the hyper atmosphere at Coors Field.
“I’m going to feel very excited about it, but I’m going to slow everything down, so that I can execute my pitches and go out there and have fun,” Jimenez said. “It’s going to be fun having so many people rooting for us.”
PHILLIES PITCHING
When it comes to raw power, Phillies left-hander Jamie Moyer can’t touch Rockies rookie Ubaldo Jimenez. But when it comes to postseason baseball, the 44-year-old Moyer has something more valuable: experience. He’s pitched in four postseason games, posting a 3-1 record. Pitching for the Mariners in the 2001 ALCS, he handled the Yankees with aplomb, picking up a victory with seven crisps innings of four-hit ball.
There is no doubt Moyer is eager to face the Rockies and keep the Phillies’ season alive.
“There’s not a better place to be,” he said. “That’s why I’m here, and I would hope that’s why my teammates are here, too. This is what you dream about, what you play for.”
Moyer’s 14 wins this season were his most since 2003, when he posted a career-high 21. He throws a terrific changeup, but it’s not as effective as it was when his fastball had more pop. He’s become the ultimate slow, slow and slower pitcher. But he can still baffle and frustrate hitters.
— Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
