Bullpen machinations
The Phils should have J.A. Happ start Game 3.
Bullpen machinations
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
Maybe this is a repeat of Game 1. Maybe Cole Hamels pitches like Cliff Lee, going nine innings, or lots of innings, and saving Phils manager Charlie Manuel from the bullpen decisions upon which this entire National League Division Series was expected to pivot.
Maybe, maybe not. And you wonder what it meant that J.A. Happ and Ryan Madson were both throwing in the ninth inning of Game 1, with the Phils leading by 5-zip at the time.
There are theories. One is that Happ was just getting in his normal throwing between starts. The way that theory goes is, Happ was only going to be a bullpen option in Game 1, that Manuel really wants to start Happ in Game 3 on Saturday night in Denver, and that when he wasn't needed in the series opener, that was that.
Another theory is that Happ remains very much ready if the Phillies need him to get out a tough lefty late in the game -- at which point he would still be available to start Game 4 on Sunday. Manuel has done nothing to discourage talk either way -- he has spoken in perfect circles on the issue for days now.
I understand what Manuel is thinking here, creating this hybrid role for Happ. But now that he has Game 1 in his back pocket, I think he ought to get Happ out of the bullpen and get him ready to start Saturday night. To me, it is unlikely that Game 2 will be decided when Happ has the ball in his hand. The moment will come later, with Madson in the game, or Brad Lidge. The nightmare scenario would involve Happ pitching in Game 2 and the Phillies losing anyway -- and, depending upon the number of pitches he had to throw, wondering when he would be able to pitch next. You would have expended a key piece for nothing. Again, that's the nightmare.
I think you make this calculation, if Hamels can't carry you today: Lee in Game 1, Happ in Game 3, Lee in Game 5. You do that and you take your chances. You do that and maximize your chances, in my mind. Again, I understand the imperative of Game 1 in a five-game series, understand why you might want to use Happ to help win that opener. But now that that's done, I think this is your best shot.
And, of course, Hamels has a chance to make it all moot anyway.
UPDATED: At his pre-game press availability, Manuel would not be cornered on his Game 3 starter, saying he probably would announce it after the team's Friday workout in Denver. Asked if he imagined it would be Happ if he were not needed out of the bullpen in Game 2, Manuel laughed and said, "I don't imagine nothing. Seriously."
Nice thought, but there's no way Hamels pitches a complete game tonight. And if Happ can come in and close out Game 2, putting two games in the 'hip pocket', isn't that better? You can take your chances of winning 1 of 3 with Lee pitching Game 5 if necessary, or Game 1 of NLCS....but we're getting ahead of ourselves there. Let Blanton pitch Game 3, he's earned it in my opinion. The Rockies WILL put up more than one run today so the Phils better bring their bats.- What about Blanton in this mix? He's a work horse.— weedman
- Funny, I don't see any of the "great" writers we have in Philly retracting their indignities of Cliff Lee starting game 1. Bunch of idiots with a platform, terrible.— Phillies1120
- I don't see Happ starting a game if he relieves Hamels today. It's a different animal throwing a bullpen session than a few innings of real baseball. If he pitches today, he stays in the pen for the time being with either Pedro and Blanton getting a start, IMO.— EL Zorro
- Billy Penn, you're right, there is no chance that Hamels pitches a complete game tonight......That would be impossible since they're playing this afternoon. However, I think it's very possible Hamels goes the distance today. He doesn't want to be upstaged by the new guy in town.— vetlincbank
- Maximize Happ's opportunity to exploit the Rockies by penciling him in to start game 3. Use Eyre and Bastardo as needed today out of the pen. This bullpen, although depleted by injury, is rested and I think will come up strong today if needed.— Claudio Vernight
- vet...i guess i was pretending that the Phils were getting some respect for being WFC and would play at least one of the first two games in prime time. please forgive my delusion. but if hamels pitches 9 tonight i'll be VERY happy, but incredibly shocked.
- Remember when Adam Wainwright was a closer for the Cardinals' 2007 championship run? Since that bullpen stint (he also broke into the bigs having always been a starter), he's converted back into a starter - a 19 game winner this year. (Random fact: In his first season as a starter, he also won 11 games). I think we need Happ in the 'pen, and putting him there for the postseason isn't the end of the world. I agree with everyone else - Blanton deserves to get the nod in game 3. He performed well in last year's postseason, and was solid the whole year (sans his last few starts...).— chriszak
- Joe has to pitch sometime. He deserves to pitch and his earned a start.I am sure if he is not in game #3 he would go in game 4 which would probably more important then game 3 because a game 4 means the Rockie would have a chance to tie up the series or win it.— pattymac3
- one of the few "enjoyable" games lately. a well-earned win. go cole.— wally sales
- If they go to Colorado up 2-0, give the ball to Blanton for Game 3. If the Rockies win Game 3, then Happ comes back in Game 4 to clinch and save Lee for Game 1 of the NLCS. But if the Rockies win today, give it to Happ for Game 3 to try and take a 2-1 seris lead, then Blanton gets game 4, and Lee can finish them off in game 5 if it gets that far.— Dave14
- We could go with Denny in game two and Hudson in the third game. That way, Lefty could be available for game 4. Oh, wait, wrong year.— mikemac1
- hamels will go 7 or 8 tonite and happ will relieve,blanton goes in game 3 and pedro in 4 if needed,its not brain surgery— soliteryman
- Honestly, I don't think that it is a matter of respect that the Phillies got stuck playing two day games to start off their NLDS. Afterall, they are playing the Wild Card team. Yes.. I know how come the Red Sox get to play a night game. Well, that becomes a scheduling issue. If they play a 2:37pm game in LA, then two thirds of the country probably won't be available to watch. At least with a 2:37 EST start time, the kiddies home from school can catch the game or us working folk could take a half day to watch :) Or listen to it on our iPhone at work ;) Just my thought on the matter... I could be way off...— roque32
- Only reporters worry about who's starting Games 4 and 5. You don't play for later games in a playoff series because you may never get there. You play to win now. If Happ or Blanton are needed out of the pen for an inning, then that's what is going to happen. You don't save bullets in a playoff series, you may never get to use them. We still have Pedro who can start if needed. We need to play to win Game 2 and keep the homefield advantage in the series.— JimG
- Something to think about is that the Rockies are, i believe, only 26-25 against left handers. The rest of their wins came against righties. So if Hamels can continue the dominance today, i say throw Happ against them in Game 3
- JimG, you are 100% correct.— hayes9
- Gotta laugh at "The nightmare scenario" Last year at this time we were facing Sabathia and Sheets, had Moyer, Myers, 2008 Blanton, and Hamels, and a team that hadn't rested all summer while tracking down the Mutts. Chill.— PhillyPhantastico
- The "nightmare scenario" would be if the Phillies have to use Lidge. Happ should be the closer and Pedro should start game 3.— Gnip Gnop
