Philadelphia @ Milwaukee preview
American Family Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 17, 2012 ) Philadelphia 2, Milwaukee 6
The Philadelphia Phillies' season has been wrought with disappointment, but Cole Hamels isn't to blame. After tossing back-to-back shutouts, Hamels will attempt to match last season's total in wins when he takes the mound on Saturday against the Milwaukee Brewers. Milwaukee won its eighth straight game at Miller Park on Friday after Ryan Braun belted his third homer in two contests in a 6-2 triumph. Philadelphia has dropped three straight.
Braun seems to have put his recent struggles behind him. After going 6-for-42, the reigning National League MVP capped the Brewers' scoring with a mammoth shot to center field on Friday. Braun has struggled in his career versus Hamels, collecting just four hits in 21 at-bats - albeit with two homers.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CSN (Philadelphia), FSWI (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies LH Cole Hamels (13-6, 2.91 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Mike Fiers (6-5, 2.63)
Hamels has yielded a total of 12 hits and struck out 11 in his last two outings. The 2008 World Series MVP has enjoyed considerable success versus Milwaukee, winning five of seven decisions while limiting the Brewers to a .208 batting average. Hamels has yet to face Milwaukee this season.
Fiers saw his three-game winning streak snapped in emphatic fashion after the rookie permitted a season-high eight runs on nine hits in two innings against Colorado on Monday. The 27-year-old has kept the ball in the park this season (three homers in 82 innings) and limited walks (16) to a minimum. Fiers has yet to face the Phillies.
WALK-OFFS
1. Domonic Brown misplayed Nyjer Morgan's eventual triple as the ball caromed off his glove before he slammed into the wall. Brown is getting every opportunity to show that he's an everyday player for the Phillies, who now have a glaring need in the outfield after trading Shane Victorino and Hunter Pence.
2. Milwaukee's Corey Hart, who went 2-for-4 on Friday, has six hits in his last four games. Hart is just 6-for-25 in his career versus Hamels, although he has also gone deep on two occasions.
3. Hamels' career high in wins was 15, set during the 2007 season.