Cole Hamels goes for tenth win against Marlins

Sep 7, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) throws during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Phillies’ ace Cole Hamels has just two chances left to earn his tenth win of the season, though the way he has pitched in 2014 should have him near 20 wins.

Hamels brings a 9-7 record into Monday’s game against the Miami Marlins.  He’s looking for his first double-digit winning season since 2012 and his seventh overall.  His 2.47 ERA is the fourth lowest in the National League and he currently ranks eight in strikeouts with 187.  Quite possibly the lefty will reach 200 strikeouts for the fourth season of his career, given he’s averaging 8.9 strikeouts per nine innings in 2014.  On June 11th, Hamels recorded a season high 11 strikeouts and recorded nine in his last start.

Against the Marlins this season, Hamels is 0-1 in four starts.  While the Phillies’ lack of run support is typically a reason Hamels is struggling to find wins this season, he’s simply been a bit shaky against Miami.  The southpaw has given up ten earned runs in 26 innings against the Marlins this year.

Henderson Alvarez will oppose Cole Hamels for the third time this season on Monday night.  On September 12th, the two each pitched seven strong innings allowing one run apiece in a 3-1 Phillies’ tenth-inning win.

The Miami right-hander has started five games against Philadelphia this season and owns a 1-0 record against them.  The Phillies are hitting .285 against Alvarez this season and have put up eight runs against him over 33.2 innings.

The Marlins are 40-38 at home this season and have beat the Phillies at Marlins Park four out of six games so far.  Philadelphia, however, leads the season series 9-7.

The Phillies are once again without Jimmy Rollins (hamstring) in the starting lineup and Freddy Galvis is once again penciled in to start at shortstop.

Phillies lineup:

Revere CF

Ruiz C

Utley 2B

Howard 1B

Byrd RF

Brown LF

Asche 3B

Galvis SS

Hamels P

Marlins lineup:

Yelich LF

Solano 2B

McGehee 3B

Baker 1B

Saltalamacchia C

Lucas RF

Hechavarria SS

Hernandez CF

Alvarez P