(Photo: Philliedelphia/Lindsey Crew)
The Phillies didn't necessarily start the season off on a good note, but it doesn't really matter because there are 161 games left to play. Cole Hamels was un-Cole-Hamels-like on Monday, getting tagged for five earned runs on seven hits. The Braves took Hamels deep three times in his first Opening Day start and he received the loss. After a break day yesterday, the Phillies and Braves will pick up the season again tonight in game two of this three-game series in Atlanta. Roy Halladay (2012: 11-8, 4.49 ERA) and Paul Maholm (2012: 13-11, 3.67 ERA) will make their 2013 debuts tonight at 7:10.
Roy Halladay will be making his first start of the season tonight after a terrible 2012 and a stress-filled spring. Last season Halladay was sidelined with a strained latisimus dorsi and was plagued with shoulder issues, but he continued to pitch. Although he finished the year with a positive 11-8 record, Halladay was still hit hard and surrendered 78 ER in 156 1/3 innings. After a long rest during the winter Halladay came to spring training with strong outlook, but after posting a 6.06 ERA (11 ER in 16 1/3 IP) the questions surrounding Doc's health arose. Tonight is probably the most anticipated start of his career with the Phillies. A lot of questions need to be answered: Is he healthy? Has he lost his edge? Can he bounce back? I can guarantee you that tonight's start won't answer all of those questions, but it will be an important game to tune into. Last season Doc sported a 11.21 ERA in 4 starts against Atlanta. In his career, Halladay is 4-3 with a 4.21 ERA against the Braves.
Paul Maholm is looking to carry over his great performances in March into the regular season. In seven spring starts, the lefthander posted a 1.53 ERA (5 ER in 29 1/3 IP) and amounted four wins. Last season began good for Maholm, who began 2012 with the Chicago Cubs. There he went 9-6 before being traded to Atlanta in July, where he finished out the season 4-5 with a 3.54 ERA and a .241 BAA. Maholm made two starts against the Phillies last season, lasting just two innings while allowing seven earned runs back on September 2nd. In his career against Philadelphia, Maholm has a 4-2 record and a 5.16 ERA.
Game Notes:
- Roy Halladay is the main headline in tonight's game.
- Doc is sitting on 199 career wins headed into 2013.
- Ben Revere is hitting lead off for the second straight game.
Phillies lineup:
- Ben Revere CF
- Jimmy Rollins SS
- Chase Utley 2B
- Ryan Howard 1B
- Michael Young 3B
- Domonic Brown RF
- John Mayberry Jr. LF
- Erik Kratz C
- Roy Halladay P.
Braves lineup:
- Andrelton Simmonds SS
- Jayson Heyward RF
- Justin Upton LF
- Freddie Freeman 1B
- B.J. Upton CF
- Dan Uggla 2B
- Juan Francisco 3B
- Evan Gattis C
- Paul Maholm P.
Gametime Forecast: 58°F • Rain developing • 90%PoP
TV: MyPHL17
Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT
LET'S GO PHILLIES!
Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.
