Preview NLDS Game 3: Phillies @ Rockies

JA Happ makes his first playoff start

After being postponed yesterday due to snowy conditions the Phillies and Rockies will resume their first round series tonight. The series is tied at one game a piece after each team won a game in Philadelphia.

With the postponement of yesterday's scheduled game the pitching advantage may have swung more in the favor of the Phillies. The Rockies have struggled against left handed pitching and with the extra day the Phillies could delay any post season appearance by Pedro Martinez and throw a third straight lefty at the Rockies in game three.

JA Happ will make his first career start after leaving his game two relief appearance after just four pitches. After being struck on the leg by a line drive Happ was taken out and he says he is fine. That must be true because Charlie Manuel would not go with him if he had any doubts about Happ's status. Earlier this season Happ threw a four hit complete game against the Rockies, a 7-0 win for the Phillies.

The Rockies will look to take a 2-1 series advantage and preserve home field advantage by sending Jason Hammel to the mound as planned originally. Hammel is 1-0 against the Phillies in two career starts. His career 4.82 ERA against the Phillies is higher than his 2009 season ERA of 4.33 and his home 5.73 ERA is considerably higher than the rest of his 2009 season.

First pitch: 10:07 pm
TV: TBS

Pitching probables (post-season stats for Happ, regular season stats for Hammel)
JA Happ (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Jason Hammel (10-8, 4.33 ERA)

NLDS, Best of Five, Series tied 1-1
Game 1 (Philadelphia) - W 5-1
Game 2 (Philadelphia) - L 4-5
10.11 Game 3 (Colorado) - 10:07 pm
10.12 Game 4 (Colorado) - TBA
10.13 Game 5 (Philadelphia) - TBA*

* If necessary