With just a week until the MLB trade deadline, every member of the Philadelphia Phillies is on notice. The team is looking to be sellers as they sit at the bottom of the National League. Long-time players like Ryan Howard, Jonathan Papelbon and Cliff Lee are no longer guaranteed a roster spot with teams showing interest. Cole Hamels is another one of those players as the pitcher prepares to go against the San Francisco Giants.
San Francisco is rolling right now as the own a two-game lead in the National League West after winning six of their last seven games. They are aiming to get a four-game sweep against the Phillies, something that has not happened since 2012. The Phillies on the other hand have lost seven of their last eight after getting swept at home by the Atlanta Braves to close out a bad June for the team.
Howard's name on the chopping block certainly might come as a surprise to some Phillies' fans. The veteran has always been a guaranteed starter, but his drop in stats does not bode well for his future. He is homerless in 19 home games since June. He could be at risk of finishing with below 30 home runs for the first time in his career. He does have seven career home runs of Tim Hudson who is starting for San Francisco, but his recent slump might be too hard to overcome.
Hudson continues to be a strong standout for the Giants. The veteran is 8-6 on the season with a 2.78 ERA. He benefited from eight days of rest and allowed just one run in seven innings in his last start against the Miami Marlins. Meanwhile Hamels is simply trying to stay focused as trade talks mount. He has a 1.81 ERA since June which is fourth-best among NL starters. He is hoping to get to.500 after throwing eight scoreless innings the last time against San Francisco.
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