Cole Hamels goes for his fourth career win against the Dodgers on Sunday. (Kevin Durso/Philliedelphia)
The Dodgers just continue to prove why they are quickly rising through the ranks to compete for baseball's best record. That's easy to do with a 42-8 record over 50 games. The Phillies, meanwhile, continue to stumble. Although, if you were looking for much to go right this weekend, you picked the wrong team to place such expectations.
No team appears to be stopping the Dodgers, whether a spoiler like the Phillies or a team in playoff position like the Cardinals or Pirates.
The Phillies (53-69) face the Dodgers (72-50), one final time this season in the series finale on Sunday.
Cole Hamels (5-13, 3.65 ERA) gets the start for the Phillies. Hamels went the distance in his last start to pick up his fifth win of the season. He allowed one run on five hits to the Braves. Hamels last faced the Dodgers in June 2012, allowing four runs – three earned – in six innings in a loss. In his career against the Dodgers, Hamels is 3-1 with a 1.64 ERA. At Citizens Bank Park, he is 50-38 with a 3.27 ERA.
The Phillies will face right-hander Ricky Nolasco (9-9, 3.62 ERA). Nolasco allowed two runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings in his last start, a win against the Mets. He last faced the Phillies on June 4, while still a member of the Marlins, allowing two runs in 6 2/3 innings in a no-decision. In his career against the Phillies, Nolasco is 8-6 with a 3.78 ERA. At Citizens Bank Park, he is 6-2 with a 3.25 ERA.
Game notes, lineups and more are available after the jump.
Game Notes:
- Since joining the Dodgers, Ricky Nolasco has a 4-1 record with a 2.97 ERA. He went 5-8 with the Marlins, posting a 3.85 ERA.
- Chase Utley is a career .293 hitter (12-for-41) against Nolasco with a double, a triple, two home runs and seven RBI.
- The Phillies are 1-5 against the Dodgers in the current season series. They are 9-13 against NL West teams this season.
Phillies lineup
- Michael Martinez SS
- Kevin Frandsen 1B
- Chase Utley 2B
- Domonic Brown LF
- Darin Ruf RF
- Cody Asche 3B
- Casper Wells CF
- Carlos Ruiz C
- Cole Hamels P
Cole Hamels will start today's game.
Dodgers lineup
- Mark Ellis 2B
- Nick Punto 3B
- Hanley Ramirez SS
- Yasiel Puig RF
- Andre Ethier CF
- Scott Van Slyke LF
- Jerry Hairston Jr. 1B
- Tim Federowicz C
- Ricky Nolasco P
Ricky Nolasco will start tonight's game.
TV: PHL17
Radio: 94 WIP/1210 WPHT
Kevin Durso is a contributor for Philliedelphia. You can follow him on twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
