Series Preview: Rockies at Phillies 7/23-7/26

The Phillies' offensive struggles have lasted for weeks, but have been more evident in recent days, as the team has fallen 7 games behind the division leading Braves. In the past 3 games, the Phillies have scored just 4 runs. In 19 games in July, the Phillies have scored more than 4 runs in a game just 7 times and have scored 2 runs or less in a game exactly as often. As a result of the recent offensive struggles, the team relieved hitting coach Milt Thompson of his duties on Thursday night.

Taking Thompson's place will be former Phillies bench coach and hitting coach Greg Gross, who has coached at 4 different levels of the Phillies' minor league system since 2005. Gross once played with the Phillies, as well, and reached 2 World Series with the club (1980 & 1983).

This weekend, the low-scoring Phillies (49-46), who have posted a 2-6 record since the All-star break, will host the Rockies (51-44) for a 4-game series. Colorado is 8 games under .500 on the road, while the Phillies are 8 games over .500 at home.

Read ahead for details on the pitching match ups for this series and plenty more information.

Friday, 7:05pm. Aaron Cook (4-5, 4.56 ERA) vs. Roy Halladay (10-8, 2.40 ERA). In 10 career games against the Phillies, Cook is 1-5 with a 5.70 ERA. Over his last 5 starts, Cook is 2-1 with a 2.43 ERA. In 2 starts at Citizens Bank Park, Cook is 1-1 with a 3.75 ERA. In 11 starts at home this season, Halladay is 6-4 with a 1.87 ERA. In his last 5 starts, Halladay is 2-2 with a 2.31 ERA. Halladay has allowed 2 earned runs in 15 1/3 innings (1.17 ERA) in 2 career outings against Colorado.

Saturday, 4:10pm. Ubaldo Jimenez (15-1, 2.38 ERA) vs. Kyle Kendrick (5-4, 4.82 ERA). In his last 5 starts, Jimenez has posted a 2-0 record with a 6.39 ERA. In 2 career starts against the Phillies Jimenez is 0-1 with an 8.10 ERA. Brian Schneider is 1-for-11 (.091 avg) against Jimenez in his career. In 5 career starts against the Rockies, Kendrick is 1-1 with a 5.93 ERA and a .354 batting avg. against. At home this season, Kendrick is 2-2 with a 5.79 ERA in 8 games. Seth Smith is 6-for-7 (.857 avg.) with 2 doubles and a triple against Kendrick.

Sunday, 1:35pm. Jeff Francis (3-3, 4.63 ERA) vs. "Jay" Happ (1-0, 0.00 ERA). In 4 career starts against the Phillies, Francis is 1-1 with a 7.59 ERA. In his last 4 starts, Francis is 1-1 with a 7.58 ERA. In his lone career start at Citizens Bank Park, Francis allowed 8 earned runs in 3 1/3 innings. Jimmy Rollins is 5-for-9 (.556 avg) against Francis in regular season action. This will be Happ's first start at the Major League level since April 15th. Happ has been battling back from a forearm injury since then. In 2 games against Colorado, Happ is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 11 K's in 11 1/3 innings pitched.

Monday, 1:05pm. Jason Hammel (7-5, 4.23 ERA) vs. Joe Blanton (3-6, 6.03 ERA). Hammel is 1-4 with a 5.79 ERA in 7 road starts this season. Hammel is 2-2 with a 4.05 ERA in his last 5 games. Raul Ibanez is 4-for-8 (.500 avg) with a double and a HR against Hammel in his career. In 7 home starts this season, Blanton is 2-2 with a 5.36 ERA and a .313 batting average against. In his last 5 starts, Blanton is 0-1 with a 5.13 ERA. Blanton has never faced Colorado in the regular season, but allowed 2 earned runs in 3 2/3 innings against the Rockies in last year's playoffs.

Carlos Gonzalez leads the Rockies in batting avg. (.305), HR (17), RBI (61), runs (58), and steals (13). CarGo seems to recieve help from the team's home park Coors Field, however, as shown by his home/road splits.

Gonzalez at home- 40 games, .359 avg, 13 HR, 37 RBI, 36 runs, 1.052 OPS.

Gonzalez on road- 43 games, .254 avg, 4 HR, 24 RBI, 22 runs, .657 OPS.

Rockies reliever Manny Corpas, who leads the team with 10 saves, has a career 9.35 ERA in 10 regular season games against the Phillies.

Jimmy Rollins is a career .315 hitter in 55 games against Colorado. Rollins is batting .227 on the season and has posted a .183 average since returning from his latest stint on the disabled list.

In 41 career games against Colorado, Placido Polanco has a .350 batting average. In his last 11 home games, Polanco is 20-for-48 (.417 avg) with 11 runs scored.

Rockies team ERA- 4.03

Phillies team ERA- 4.07

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