vs

Today we see the battle of two of last year’s best pitchers, both of whom are having sub-par seasons. Ricky Nolasco comes into this game 6-7 with a 5.76 ERA. Cole Hamels counters that with a 5-5 record and a 4.87 ERA. As of late though, the story has been changing for one of them.

Nolasco was sent down to AAA on May 23rd of this year, when his ERA had ballooned to a horrific 9.07.  After two starts in New Orleans, he came back with a vengeance, putting up a 1.54 ERA, allowing only 30 hit and 7 walks with 45 strikeouts in 41 innings pitched, but his last start was not a good one. Against the Diamondbacks, Nolasco threw 7 earned runs in 6 innings of work, including a 5-run 4th inning where he faced 9 batters.

On the other side, Cole Hamels still doesn’t seem to be recapturing the magic he’s had early in his career. In his last 8 starts, he’s been a bit better, but has been terribly inconsistent. Since June, he’s 4-4 with an 4.53. Only 4 of his starts have been Quality Starts and his last one was a 5 ER, 6 IP game vs the anemic Pirates offense.

Tonight’s Lineup

Coghlan - LF
Bonifacio - 2B
Ramirez - SS
Cantu - 1B
Ross - CF
Paulino - C
Carroll - RF
Gonzalez - 3B
Nolasco - P

Uggla is getting the night off versus Hamels, who he has been terrible against with a 130/.192/.174 line in 26 Plate Appearances.