Bodog Beat

Cole Hamels takes to the hill tonight against the Dodgers. (AP Images)

Cole Hamels is one of the brightest young stars in the National League. His Phillies are –131 favorites against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the NLCS. But the other starting pitcher is no slouch.

Derek Lowe: 3.24 ERA, 3.43 xFIP, 3.36 tRA, 49.7 VORP
Hamels: 3.09 ERA, 3.78 xFIP, 3.78 tRA, 56.3 VORP

Lowe has quietly put together his best season in four years as a Dodger, and the best since his phenomenal 2002 starting debut with the Boston Red Sox. Lowe was just 14-11 this year, which partly explains why it’s been such a quiet season for him. The old East Coast bias comes into play here, as well. But it might also be that giant shadow that Manny Ramirez has cast over the entire Dodgers pitching corps.

On the other hand, Hamels has a .234 OBP to Lowe’s .176. Every hit counts. Get all your MLB Baseball Betting Odds in the Bodog Sportsbook today!