Game #3 of the Rockies/Phillies playoff series has been postponed until tomorrow due to rain. This might hurt the Rockies as the Phillies will likely bump Pedro Martinez and start lefty J.A. Happ. Despite beating Cole Hamels the other day the Rockies have had issues with lefty starting pitchers.

This is the pivotal game in this series with it all tied up at one game apiece. Righty Jason Hammel will start for the Rockies against Pedro Martinez of the Phillies. Hammel pitched in 34 games (30 starts) for the Rockies this year and he was 10-8 with a 4.33 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. He has pitched 2 games against the Phillies this year (1 start) and he was 1-0 with a 4.82 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP. Hammel will have to tread lightly in this game as a few Phillies run up to the plate when he is on the mound. Raul Ibanez was 3 for 4 with a solo homer against Hammel this season so he will have to be very careful with him as he is already having a good series. Jimmy Rollins is 2 for 5 with a homer and 2 RBIs and Shane Victorino is 3 for 5 with a double this season against Hammel and they bat in front of the big boys on the Phillies so he must keep them off the bases somehow in this game. Finally, Pedro Feliz is 2 for 4 with a RBI against Hammel. Basically, the Rockies better have everyone ready in the bullpen in case Hammel gets off to a rough start. The Rockies will have to deal with a well rested Pedro Martinez in this game. Despite his age the man can still pitch. He started 9 games for the Phillies this season and he was 5-1 with a 3.63 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. He did not pitch against the Rockies this season which likely benefits him. Brad Hawpe has had success against Martinez as he is 2 for 4 with a solo homer. The only other Rockies player who has had much success against Pedro is Udaldo Jimenez who is 2 for 3 against him in his career. Chances are very, very unlikely that Jimenez will bat against Pedro in this game. This game should be very interesting.

Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez and catcher Yorvit Torrealba have really been swinging hot sticks for the Rockies. Gonzalez has been really jump starting the offense from the top of the batting order in this series. He is 5 for 9 (.556 avg, 1.223 OPS) with 2 runs scored and 1 stolen base. The rest of the Rockies have to do a better job of bringing Gonzalez around the bases as he always seems to be on base. Veteran catcher Yorvit Torrealba really stepped up with key hits the last time the Rockies were in the playoffs and he’s doing it all over again. He is 3 for 6 (.500 avg, 1.667 OPS) with a double, homer, 1 run scored and 2 RBIs. Torrealba’s clutch bat will likely keep backup catcher Chris Iannetta nailed to the bench. Still, Gonzalez and Torrealba are going to need more help with the bats if they are going to bounce the Phillies in this series.

The Rockies walked on the highwire in this game but they came out on top. Aaron Cook was just good enough to earn the win in his game as he worked 5 innings allowing 7 hits and 3 earned runs. Jose Contreras, Matt Belisle, Rafael Betancourt and Franklin Morales got the game to closer Huston Street by working 3 innings and allowing 1 run (Betancourt gave up a homer to Jayson Werth). Huston Street make it exciting walking a batter and giving up a hit before slamming the door shut on the Phillies to earn the save. Yorvit Torrealba led the way for the offense as he was 2 for 3 with a run scored, homer and 2 RBIs. Carlos Gonzalez and Dexter Fowler were flip flopped in the lineup and they made manager Jim Tracy look like a genius. Gonzalez who led off the game for the Rockies was 3 for 5 with a run scored and a stolen base. Dexter Fowler was 0 for 2 but he knocked in two runs. This series is now tied 1-1 as it shifts to Coors Field.

This is a must win game for the Rockies and it doesn’t look as bad as you might think in tomorrow’s game. Aaron Cook will be opposing lefty Cole Hamels of the Phillies. Hamels started 1 game against the Rockies (the only of his career) this season and he was 0-1 with a 17.18 ERA and a 3.27 WHIP. He allowed 7 earned runs and 11 hits in only 3 2/3 innings in that game. Aaron Cook has started 2 games against the Phillies this season and he is 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. He has to be careful pitching to Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley who have had his number in their careers. Rollins is 11 for 29 (.379 avg, .897 OPS) in his career against Aaron Cook while Utley is 8 for 21 (.381 avg, 1.010 OPS) with 1 homer and 11 RBIs. Cook must get the Phillies to pound his sinker into the ground because if they start elevating the ball he will be in big trouble.