In Game 2 of the NLDS against the Rockies, Charlie Manuel trotted out five pitchers who had made at least five starts for the Phillies during the regular season. Thanks to Jayson Stark for that stat.
That wasn’t enough for Cholly though, as he wanted to get yet another starting pitcher in the game. He put in Cliff Lee to pinch run for Matt Stairs in the bottom of the ninth. That’s 6 starting pitchers in the game for the Phillies.
With the presumed Game 3 starter Joe Blanton pitching yesterday, he should be ruled out for starting the game on Saturday, but he wasn’t. Manuel said the decision would most likely be made on the plane. He mentioned Blanton and J.A. Happ, who also pitched yesterday, but Pedro Martinez could also take the mound. Happ took a nasty liner off of his leg, but didn’t pitch very long. If he’s healthy enough to pitch, I’m sure he would go, which was evidenced by his post game meeting with Charlie Manuel making the case for himself to get the start.
The most likely scenario would have Martinez starting the game and have Happ and Blanton available in long relief like yesterday. That would give the Phillies the freshest starter they have on the mound with two experienced pitchers ready to go in if needed. It’s hard to even call the bullpen tired, as most of the “relievers” out of the bullpen were starters. Brett Myers, Scott Eyre, and Ryan Madson were the only true relievers to get into the game, and Myers looked bad. It is looking more and more like he rushed back too early from hip surgery.
Ryan Madson on the other hand, he looked good in his inning, stating his case to be closer for the playoffs, throwing 7 pitches, all strikes, to get out of the 9th inning. The closer role is still up in the air, but I could see Manuel going with the hot hand and letting Madson get first crack at the next save opportunity.
The forecast for Denver on Saturday is cold, cold, and more cold..with a chance of snow thrown in for good measure. It’s going to be tough to stay warm, and with Old Goat #1 possibly taking the mound, I’m sure Charlie will have Happ and Blanton ready to go.
I hope it snows a foot on Saturday, just to get back at MLB for having the World F*cking Champions play two day games during the week and then two late games on the weekend. Doesn’t make sense to me, but apparently it does to Bud Selig. Idiot.
It’s a tough call Charlie, but that’s why you get paid the big bucks and I get paid nothing to sit here and write about it.
