While last night wasn't necessarily the pitchers' duel you usually get in a walkoff 1-0 game, the lack of offense was nonetheless its hallmark. Despite having some command issues, Vance Worley allowed just one hit, and the bullpen conceded the same amount in the final three innings. Two-hit in the opener, the A's now face Cole Hamels, the NL's WHIP leader, who is trying to become the first NL pitcher to 10 wins.
Cole will face Trevor Cahill, a talented righty coming off a strong start against San Francisco. He needed one too, having given up four or more earned runs in his five previous starts. White hot through late May, Cahill has seen his ERA rise from 2.02 on May 29 to 3.24 in late June. Nonetheless, he's a formidable young starter who can shut down a lineup on any given night.
Your Fightins lineup for tonight is Rollins, Polanco, Utley, Howard, Victorino, Ibanez, Brown, Ruiz, Hamels.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Philadelphia sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
With the bullpen nicked up, the Phils could use a long night from Hamels. The bats can help that happen with a lead before the late innings, allowing Charlie Manuel to let Cole hit rather than need a pinch hitter.
Roy Oswalt gave an update on his prognosis as well. A bulging disc in his back is expected to keep him out until at least August, but the beats relayed that Oswalt's tune seemed to have changed somewhat from the somber note he shared when initially describing his injury.