Hamels vs. Cain another great match up and I can't help but go with the better offense overall and the better pitcher vs. the opponent. What do I mean?
Phillies vs. Cain have 74 AB and a .311 average and 1.075 OPS. Utley 7-15 with 3 HR vs. Cain, and Rollins 6-10 HR, Howard also 2 HR in 10 AB. Werth 1-3 only 3AB. Overall we already know the Phillies have a far superior line up to the Giants. Phillies in their last 10 games are scoring 5.69 runs per 9 compared to the Giants 2.93. The overall ERA on the mound is also lower 2.25 ERA last 10 games to the Giants 2.47.
Worried about Hamels on the road? I wouldn't be he's got a 3.00 overall on the year and the Giants have a .268 average in 123 AB. If he can stay away from Cody Ross who is 9-30 with 4 HR he'll be fine.. I think they are careful with Ross mainly because he has 3 HR in the series. They won't let him beat them. Down the stretch Hamels was dominant he has the post season experience to go with it too. Hamels last 8 starts when you take out his meaningless start vs. the Mets where he gave up 5 ER had him giving up just 4 ER over 8 starts with a 0.75 WHIP and a 0.66 ERA.
Stats are important and the only thing the Giants have in this game is home field advantage, but against a team that has so much experience and won 22 of their last 27 road games. Giants also just 5-11 vs. a road team with a winning road record in their last 16. Hamels is 6-2 vs. the Giants and the Phillies hit more than a half run per day game this year. Giants played 56 day games this year and scored 4.125 runs per game while the Phillies came in with 51 day games and scored 4.71 runs per game. Both starters have similar ERA's around 3 during their day starts.
