Hamels, Cain gear up for another big pitching duel

SAN FRANCISCO -- Charlie Manuel has been through enough postseasons to recognize special pitching matchups this time of year.

Come Tuesday, the Giants and the Phillies will see a third such marquee encounter in as many games of their NL championship series: Cole Hamels vs. Matt Cain.

The teams traveled on red-eye flights after the Phillies' 6-1 victory Sunday night at Citizens Bank Park, both landing in the Bay Area around 4 a.m. local time Monday.

That makes for a quick turnaround heading into Tuesday afternoon's Game 3 at AT&T Park (3 p.m., Channel 32). The teams stand even at one game apiece in the best-of-seven series.

“When we go 1-1 right now and you're sitting there and you've got Cain and Hamels going (Tuesday) in a swing game, you won't see that three days in a row with six pitchers that start the game that good, said the 66-year-old Manuel, the Phillies' sixth-year manager.

“It's rare, and it's going to be a heck of a game. The Giants are here because of their pitching and I think we're here basically because of our pitching. Our offense kind of sputtered this year.

After getting some brief rest, the Phillies took to the field for their first workout out West, sporting red hooded sweatshirts on the cool fall day.

Hamels, the 2008 World Series MVP, follows Philadelphia's two star Roys Halladay and Oswalt in the rotation. Cain was pushed back to start the third game after Tim Lincecum and Jonathan Sanchez pitched the first two.

Cain will be working on 10 days' rest since he pitched Game 2 of the division series against Atlanta on Oct. 8, the longest layoff of the right-hander's career.

Hamels, who bounced back from a tough 2009 by going 12-11 with a 3.06 ERA this season, pitched a 5-hit shutout against Cincinnati on Oct. 10 in his last outing.

“Postseason is where it's at. It's the ultimate time to really show what kind of player you are, what kind of pitcher you are, Hamels said. “These are the types of games and types of moments when you set foot in spring training it's the ultimate goal for the whole team to go out and enjoy.

The Giants managed only 4 hits in losing to Oswalt on Sunday. They know they will have to produce more to upset the two-time reigning NL champions.

“(Tuesday) is absolutely important, right fielder Cody Ross said. “We're coming home. We like playing at home, Matt on the mound. We have all the confidence in the world in him.

San Francisco is now home for three games with its raucous, towel-waving sellout crowd ready to cheer the team's first NLCS since slugger and eventual home run king Barry Bonds carried the Giants to a runner-up World Series finish in 2002.

“You just feel comfortable pitching at home, Cain said. “Just try to relax and try to almost enjoy it and soak it all in, to try to take the nerves off a little bit.