Phillies would welcome a Rollins breakout

PHILADELPHIA -- Jimmy Rollins relishes the big moments in baseball.

The moments are only getting bigger as the Phillies hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday night in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series at Citizens Bank Park. The series was tied after the Phillies blew a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the eighth inning Friday in Game 2 at Dodger Stadium.

Phillies at a glance 2009 record: 93-69 2008 record: 92-70 NL East champs NLCS matchup: Phillies at Dodgers Postseason tix: Information WHO ARE THESE GUYS? • Madson: Back in business • Werth: Heart of the order • Rollins: Awaiting breakout • Focus: One game at a time • Manuel: Mix & match • Howard: Ready for lefties • Stairs: Shot reverberates • Manuel: New rules for 'pen • Blanton: Arm around team • Pedro: Return to spotlight • Ibanez: Eyes on prize • Rollins: '07 irrelevant • Lidge: Still an option • Lidge: Killer cutter • Roster: Mulling options • Ibanez: Perfect fit • Hamels: Path of the pros • Amaro: Bold decisions • Pedro: Elated to play part • Rollins: No more predictions • Hamels: Back in business • Pitching: Staff in flux • Manuel: Keeps 'em focused • Hamels: Aims for dominance • Lineup: Imperfect but solid • Lee: Ready for playoff debut • Howard: The evolution • Rollins: Excelling on defense • Rotation: Not just big two • Manuel: Steady as she goes • Rollins: Eyes on '09 drama • Howard: The 'Big Piece' • Lee: Lifting Phils' hopes More Phillies coverage • Howard ties Gehrig's postseason RBI record Bats, Lee team up for rout in Game 3 Howard's RBI streak sets playoff mark Postseason going brilliant-Lee for lefty Blanton seeks return to clutch form Upbeat Moyer happy to rejoin club Phils rounding into title form Manuel committed to Lidge Cold temperatures will be a challenge Pedro brilliant, but Phils falter late in Game 2 Pedro masterful in return to big stage Utley at center of defensive struggles Phillies turn to Lee for Game 3 Phillies warmed by return to chilly home Bullpen woes return in Game 2 loss Bodley: Utley error opens door Phillies' power capitalizes on free passes Mix-and-match relief works vs. LA Phils edge Rockies for 2-1 NLDS lead Lidge finds redemption in crucial spot Umps admit missing call on Utley hit Given extra day, Phils to go with Happ Phillies glad to see Game 3 postponed Extra off-day alters clubs' options Winter-like weather forces Game 3 postponement Postponements a postseason tradition Myers feeling good after playoff outing Hamels to rejoin Phillies after birth of son Moyer in hospital with blood infection Phils rally, but must settle for split Clubs trade places for Game 3 Pedro, Blanton, Happ up for Game 3 nod Chilly reception awaits in Denver It's not sunny in Philadelphia for Hamels Hamels leaves to be with wife in labor Kalas still a presence in Phils' house Utley battling past late-season struggles Phillies, Rockies fill familiar roles Lee masterful in opening victory Phillies show patience, break through Running shoes put to good use Wind makes for wild afternoon Hamels unhappy with starting times Phils will use all bullpen options Avenging '07 not on Phils' minds Reserves shine in regular-season finale With loss, Phils plan ahead for NLDS Phils remain one back for home-field Phils fall game back for best record Phils clinch third straight NL East crown Eyeing historic postseason run NLDS opponent to be determined Phils power way closer to clinch Moyer exits game with left groin strain Manuel talks to Phils behind closed doors Phils hold on, lower magic number to 3 Walk-off slows Phils in Milwaukee Two mistakes cost Lee, Phillies dearly Pedro scratched, Kendrick to start Happ strong as Phillies pound Brewers After twin-bill split with Fish, Phils focus on finale Phils wait out rain, win finale over Braves Phils have hard road to repeat glory Manuel wants Phillies to turn it up a notch Finishing strong motivates Phillies Kendrick shines in first start Lidge endures roller-coaster week

The Phillies could have used a little more offense Friday.

They could have used a little more Rollins.

Rollins entered Game 3 hitting .111 (1-for-9) with one run scored and one strikeout in the NLCS, and .214 (6-for-28) with one double, two runs scored and six strikeouts in the entire postseason. Rollins, the Phillies' leadoff hitter, ranked just sixth on the team in runs scored.

"Actually, from what I've seen, they're pitching him pretty tough," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said before Game 3. "At times he really works the count pretty good. He takes pitches. But the Dodgers have been getting ahead of him, and they've been throwing a lot of slow stuff. The other day I felt like [Dodgers right-hander Vicente] Padilla was aggressive with him, and he moved the ball in and out on him, and he made some real good pitches on Jimmy. I mean, they've been pitching Jimmy pretty tough. He'll be all right."

Phillies hitting coach Milt Thompson agreed.

Rollins will be OK. But right now, Thompson said, Rollins "is hooking everything. He's trying to pull everything instead of working up the middle. Just work up the middle. That's the key."

The Phillies were 89-66 this season when Rollins played. They were 61-19 (.763) when he scored a run and 28-47 (.373) when he did not score a run. The Phillies are 482-221 (.686) when he has scored a run in his career, and 268-435 (.381) when he has not.

The team's record when Rollins scores a run often is overstated. For example, the Phillies are 40-11 (.784) this season when Pedro Feliz scores a run, 21-6 (.778) when Carlos Ruiz scores a run and 9-4 (.692) when Eric Bruntlett scores a run.

It isn't so much the fact that the Phillies typically win when Rollins scores -- they typically win when any player scores -- but because he is at the top of the lineup he has the most opportunities to score. They need him to get on base, and take advantage.