Rock The Bell: Rockies vs. Phillies Series Preview, May 8-10

The Phillies begin the second half of their homestand Friday night against the middling Colorado Rockies. The Rockies have struggled recently, falling to fourth in the National League West with a 15-23 record. The Phils have had the hot hand in the 3 series they’ve played since Don Mattingly took over as manager.

Over that span, the Phillies swept the San Francisco Giants, took three of four over the Miami Marlins, and took two of three against the Athletics. Even with the Phillies coming off a rough loss to end the Athletics series, they are still 8-2 with Mattingly at the helm, and are playing their best baseball of the season.

Last Time They Met

The Phillies and Rockies last met in Colorado, just over a month ago, for a three-game set. The Phillies took the first two games of the series before dropping the finale. Game 1 was a blowout by Philadelphia, winning 10-1. Aaron Nola showed his vintage self, pitching into the 7th inning and only allowing 1 run, while striking out 9. The offense put 7 runs in the first inning against former Phillie Michael Lorenzen, cruising to an easy victory.

Game 2 was more difficult. The Phillies scored 1 in the first, but could only muster 1 more run the rest of the game. 2 was all they needed as Jesus Luzardo dominated with 6.1 innings of 1 run ball and striking out 11 Rockies, walking none. Game 3 was dropped 4-1, as 3 Rockies scored in the first against Taijuan Walker; the offense could only get 1 run that afternoon.

The offense slowed down as the series went on, but did enough to get the job done. They had help with stellar pitching in the first two games, specifically a bullpen that put up historic success during the series.

Heart’s Got To Beat

A major piece of the Phillies success since Mattingly took over has been the success of the middle heart of the lineup. Bryce Harper has put up numbers rivaling his 2021 MVP season. Adolis Garcia has started heating up, including multiple multi-hit nights within the last week. Brandon Marsh has etched himself in the conversation of the hottest hitters in the National League.

Each time the middle of the order has come up during this stretch, there has been an increased confidence that they can produce. That has especially been the case in later innings of ballgames. If the heart can keep up its momentum, especially against a not-so-great pitching staff, it’s going to make a 4th consecutive series victory very likely.

Guns Are Shootin’

The Phillies woes at the beginning of the season were amplified by the struggle for the rotation. Since Mattingly took over, the guns got the rust off the barrels and have been firing on all cylinders since. It’s not surprising that the two losses that the Phillies have under Mattingly were the two worst starting pitching performances of this stretch.

The rotation gets to attack an offense that lacks in several positions. There are a few players that are dangerous, similar to how the lineups of the Marlins and Athletics are, but definitely the weakest of the three teams. Facing the weakest lineup of the last three teams will certainly mean the rotation is going to be out for blood.

Game Times and Broadcasts

Friday, May 8, 6:40 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Philadelphia, 94.1 WIP

Saturday, May 9, 6:05 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Philadelphia, 94.1 WIP

Sunday, May 10, 1:35 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Philadelphia, 94.1 WIP

Pitching Matchups

Game 1: Jesus Luzardo (LHP, 3-3, 5.09 ERA) vs. Chase Dollander (RHP, 3-2, 3.38 ERA)

Game 2: Aaron Nola (RHP, 2-3, 5.06 ERA) vs. Kyle Freeland (LHP, 1-3, 5.04 ERA)

Game 3: Cristopher Sanchez (LHP, 3-2, 2.42 ERA) vs. Tomoyuki Sugano (RHP, 3-2, 3.41 ERA)

The Numbers

• Record
• Phillies: 17-21
• Rockies: 15-23

• Run Differential
• Phillies: -42
• Rockies: -25

• Runs Scored Per Game
• Phillies: 3.97
• Rockies: 4.24

• Runs Allowed Per Game
• Phillies: 4.81
• Rockies: 5.03

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