Phils Need to Even Series

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Philadelphia Phillies (59-43) at San Francisco Giants (57-47)
Cole Hamels (7-5, 4.42 ERA) vs. Barry Zito (6-10, 4.54 ERA)

The Phillies will try to even the series in the four game finale. The Phillies will send Cole Hamels to the mound, who has shown that he is a second half pitcher.

In his past five starts, Hamels is 3-0 with a 2.45 earned run average. In addition, he has thrown at least seven innings in two consecutive outings. It is very key for Hamels to go deep into a game, something the Phillies starters have been doing a lot lately.

Hamels will be opposed by Barry Zito, who has had an up and down year. There is no doubt that Zito is not the same pitcher he was in 2002 when he won the American League Cy Young award with the Oakland Athletics. He never lived up to his expectations when he signed a seven year, $126 million contract with the Giants in 2006. Zito is 2-1 with a 3.50 ERA in his career against the Phillies.

The Phillies need to start hitting with runners in scoring position. On the road trip, the Phils are hitting .103 (6-for-56) with RISP.