Bartolo Colon
RHP
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e250/man0lo/jabba-real_v.jpg
(4-1) 3.41 ERA
Red Sox: The big righty has been one of the best early-season stories in baseball. The man who was unemployed in February has won four of his first five starts for the Red Sox. Colon has given up three earned runs or fewer in four of his five outings. Colon has made four starts in his career against the Phillies, going 1-1 with a 4.00 ERA. This will be his first start at Citizens Bank Park.
Cole Hamels
LHP
http://media.philly.com/images/20071003_inq_salisbury03-a.JPG
Phillies: Hamels stuck out 13 on Wednesday against Florida, his highest total of 2008. For the second consecutive start, the 24-year-old lefty looked firmly in command, walking only one and giving up two earned runs on three hits over eight innings in earning a no-decision. Hamels has never faced the Red Sox during his first three seasons in the Majors, meaning he'll have to contend with some of baseball's most explosive hitters -- such as Manny Ramirez -- for the first time.
My first gamethread of the season.