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Hamels Looks For Run Support As Struggling Phils Look For Hope In Milwaukee

Erik Seybold Sports Editor

Published07 Jul 2014

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The Phillies were swept once again this past weekend – this time at the hand of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Outscored 17-6 through all three-games, the Phillies hit and surpassed the 50 mark in losses. At 37-51, the Phils now join five other teams with 50 losses on the year. As the trade deadline dwindles closer and closer, the Phillies are hopeless for a winning season and need to sell as soon as possible.

The Phillies will open a four-game series against the Brewers to close out a 10-game road trip tonight. Cole Hamels (2-5, 2.98 ERA) will make the start tonight against Marco Estrada (7-5, 4.94 ERA) and the first place Brewers.

Cole Hamels has pitched in superb fashion this season, but yet again has received little-to-none run support. Hamels is coming off a loss in Miami last Wednesday where he allowed three runs on five hits in five innings. Despite struggling in that start, Hamels had a 1.88 ERA in his last 10 starts, pitching seven or more innings in each one. Hamels is 0-2 in his last three and has a 3.92 ERA in that stretch. Hamels is looking for some help at the plate as he does his job on the mound. He'll look to go at it again today as he takes on the Brewers, a team he is 6-3 against lifetime.

Marco Estrada is coming off of a losing effort against the Bluejays last Tuesday. The right-hander allowed two solo home runs in six innings – along with a season-low two strike outs. Estrada leads the league in home runs given up (26) and although he has allowed 56 runs all season long, he still receives enough run support to earn seven wins on the year. He will look to keep the ball down today as he takes on the Phils in the series opener. In his career against them, Estrada ias 1-0 with a 6.33 ERA.

Game Notes:

Andres Blanco will be playing SS today as Jimmy Rollins gets the day off.
Hamels entered his last start 120th out of 132 pitchers in baseball with a 3.59 run-support average over the past two seasons.
The Phillies need to win a game in Milwaukee to avoid their worst 10-game road trip since 1972, when they went 1-9 against the Expos, the Pirates and the Mets.

Tonight's Lineups:

Phillies lineup: