Hamels hopes to conquer Citi Field

JustinVerlander35 · May 28, 2011

It's gotten significantly better for Cole Hamels since he last faced the Mets.

Hamels' 2011 season got off to a horrid start, as the Phillies left-hander gave up six runs on seven hits in 2 2/3 innings against the Mets in his first start of the year. Since getting booed off the field that night in Philadelphia, Hamels (6-2, 3.06 ERA) has been one of the game's best pitchers, tossing eight quality starts in his last nine outings. The 27-year-old lefty comes into Saturday night's matchup in New York on the heels of back-to-back wins, tied for second overall in the National League in victories.

Hamels' personal win streak could come to end Saturday, however, as his last start against the Mets was no aberration. Hamels is 2-9 with with a 4.35 ERA in 14 starts against New York in his career, including going winless in seven combined starts at Shea Stadium and Citi Field. Carlos Beltran (10-for-33) and Scott Hairston (6-for-17) have each hit three home runs off the left-hander.

To oppose Hamels, New York sends right-hander Mike Pelfrey (3-4, 5.37) to the mound. Pelfrey is 6-5 with a 5.25 ERA against in 15 career starts against the Phillies, two of which came this season. On April 6, Pelfrey gave up seven runs (six earned) in two-plus innings, and then allowed four runs on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings against New York on April 29.

Those outings came during a rough April for Pelfrey, in which he went 1-5 with a 7.39 ERA in six starts. Pelfrey has been significantly better in May, going 2-2 with a 3.29 ERA in four starts, and he credits his turnaround to pitching more to contact.

"I've been very aggressive in the strike zone and almost forcing contact," Pelfrey said. "Getting ahead of guys, and when you get ahead of guys, you're usually successful in getting them out."

While most baseball experts would quickly say Hamels has the edge over Pelfrey on the mound, Pelfrey has had success against the left-hander at the plate. Pelfrey is 3-for-6 against Hamels, with a double and an RBI, but waved away the notion that he has had the better of Hamels.

"I don't have success against anybody as a hitter," Pelfrey said. "I'll try to close my eyes and swing as hard as I can. Hopefully I can find a gap."

Saturday will be the first time Hamels steps into the batter's box against Pelfrey.
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Read More -http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_05_28_phimlb_nynmlb_1&mode=preview&c_id=mlb

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Hamels hopes to conquer Citi Field

JustinVerlander35 Bringin' the Heat

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Hamels hopes to conquer Citi Field

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