Preview Game 32: Phillies @ Rockies

Phillies head on the road, start at the scene of "Get me to the plate"

First pitch: 8:40pm
TV: , MLB.tv
Radio: 1210 AM, MLB.com
Pitching probables: Kyle Kendrick (1-1, 5.87 ERA) vs. Greg Smith (1-2, 6.35 ERA)

tweetmeme_style = 'compact';The Phillies head on the road this week after finishing off a nice home stand yesterday. Maybe this week should be called NLDS Phlashback week (more on that later) as the Phillies make stops in Denver and Milwaukee, home of each of the last three NLDS opponents for the Phillies. First up will be a meeting with the Rockies.

The last time the Phillies played a game in Denver it looked as though the NLDS was going to a fifth and deciding game, but Ryan Howard pulled through with an epic double to right field to bring the Phillies back en route to a thrilling victory. Instead of looking to taking their chances with Cole Hamels in a game five at home, the Phillies were heading to Los Angeles for the NLCS.

It goes without saying that the circumstances are considerably less significant this week, although we could be in for a tight series. Tonight's game though could be a good old-fashioned slug fest. Kyle Kendrick gets the start for the Phillies, who will be hoping for a second straight great game from the start filling in for J.A. Happ. Kendrick put together a brilliant outing against the St. Louis Cardinals in his last start so the optimism level has risen a bit recently, but Kendrick has yet to really put together two solid outings in a row this season.

Opposing Kendrick will be equally questionable Greg Smith, who enters tonight's game with a 6.35 ERA and a 1.80 WHIP. Smith's lone win of the season came on April 13 against the New York Mets, the only time Smith has pitched more than five innings this season (he went seven). Smith is coming off a good outing though against the San Diego Padres, in which he allowed one run on four hits but five walks helped take him out of the game after just five innings. In his previous start he was removed after just one inning after giving up six runs on four hits and walking three against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The real test will be to see which pitcher can get off to the better start. Whichever team is leading after three innings could be on their way to a win tonight in the series opener.

Questions for the Game

• Which starting pitcher lasts the longest?
  
• Will either make it through five innings?
• Can the Phillies keep traditional Phillies killer Todd Helton from hurting them?
  

Phillies record: 19-12
Rockies Record: 15-16

NL East standings (record, games behind, team)

1. 19-12, -GB PHILLIES
2. 17-14, 2.0 Nationals
3. 17-14, 2.0 Mets
3. 14-17, 5.0 Marlins
5. 13-18, 6.0 Braves

Season Series: First meeting
5.10 - @ Colorado
5.11 - @ Colorado
5.12 - @ Colorado
7.23 - COLORADO
7.24 - COLORADO
7.25 - COLORADO
7.26 - COLORADO