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Game 131: Jason Hammel vs Matt Cain

As bad as the first two months of the season went, the Rockies have not lost five games in a row even once this season. After losing four straight since the first time since May 31-June 3, now would be a tragically poetic time to do it. Let's not go there.

To avoid it, the Rockies need to win a matchup of a fifth starter vs an All-Star, a tall task on the road. First, Jason Hammel absolutely must throw his sixth straight start of allowing no more than three runs. If I can be choosy, I'll take the Hammel we saw in his last two starts, where he allowed 3 runs in 14 innings vs two above average offensive teams (Washington and Los Angeles) in offensive parks (Nationals Park and Coors Field). Good Hammel is essential.

Jason Hammel

#46 / Pitcher / Colorado Rockies

6-6

220

R

R

Sep 02, 1982

W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2009 - Jason Hammel 8-7 26 23 1 0 0 0 132.0 165 73 65 12 33 91 4.43 1.50

Then there's Matt Cain, whose FIP is 3.90, significant since his career FIP is also 3.90. He is pitching essentially like he has his entire career, except he's doing a better job getting clutch outs - his LOB% is an astronomical 85.6%, second only to J.A. Happ in MLB. For a team that has scored 6 runs in 4 games, clutch hitting will be the crutch.

Matt Cain

#18 / Pitcher / San Francisco Giants

6-3

245

R

R

Oct 01, 1984

W-L ERA WHIP K BB
2009 - Matt Cain 12-4 2.39 1.15 133 61

Cain hasn't won in six starts. Let's not give him win 13 too. Time to get that 2 game lead back.

Lineup

Colorado Rockies @ San Francisco Giants

08/30/09 2:05 PM MDT

Colorado Rockies San Francisco Giants
Carlos Gonzalez - CF Eugenio Velez - LF
Ryan Spilborghs - LF Edgar Renteria - SS
Todd Helton - 1B Nate Schierholtz - RF
Troy Tulowitzki - SS Pablo Sandoval - 3B
Brad Hawpe - RF Travis Ishikawa - 1B
Ian Stewart - 3B Juan Uribe - 2B
Clint Barmes - 2B Aaron Rowand - CF
Yorvit Torrealba - C Eli Whiteside - C
Jason Hammel - P Matt Cain - P