Phils: Myers did fine
The rotation is still in decent order.
Phils: Myers did fine
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
Lousy weather in Orlando, rainy, foggy, getting ready to fly home, doing the second-guess thing in my head about how Phils manager Charlie Manuel lined up his pitching rotation for the World Series.I have already said that I would have done what Manuel did -- Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Jamie Moyer and Joe Blanton in Games 1-4. I really think there is a danger in over-thinking this stuff, especially at this time of year. Over-thinking can start to smell like panic if you aren't careful. I think what Manuel did was fine.
The decision he had to make was whether or not to pitch Myers in Game 2 on the road or Game 3 at home, where he has been so successful this season. In hindsight, now that the Phils have lost Game 2, it is only natural to roll it all around in your head and wonder. But the more it rolls around, sloshing with the byproducts of the coffee IV that most everyone traveling with this team is hooked up to at this point, it still seems to have been the right way to go.
Think about it. The Phils did not lose Game 2 because of Myers. He might not have been stellar, but he was professional. He got better as the night went on. He settled in and did fine, acquitting himself well enough in his first World Series appearance. Repeat: the did not lose because of Myers.
They lost because they were 1-15 with runners in scoring position. Oh, yeah; that.
Now they have Moyer at home for Game 3. He has not pitched well so far in the post-season but both of the games, against Milwaukee and Los Angeles, were on the road. I have no idea what will happen on Saturday night, but I have to think that that being at home, in the biggest moment of a long professional life, will work in his favor.
And, another thing: with it lined up this way, you have Myers rested and ready for Game 6 -- which is where this thing is almost certainly headed. If you believe in Cole Hamels, regardless of what happens in Games 3 and 4, then this is going to get to Game 6.
So, that's it.
Bunns and Gary Varsho you are right and I apologize for posting bad info— Lemur- I think the Phillies accomplished alot winning one of two down here in Tampa.I am a longtime Phillies fan living in enemy territory and they are really worried about hamels being able to pitch a third game because of any rain delays. They know they can lose this thing,but,my God,the Phils need to start hitting with power.Hopefully,some home cooking will work. I am praying for rain.— eaglevick
- If they move the games, they don't move all games, because there is a day off built in. Hamels can not pitch game 7, just forget it.— Gary Varsho
- Phils just need to hit, if they do Eaton could pitch. A 20 run game would do wonders.— Andrewsgvl
- Bunns...all games would be moved back a day...Hamels would pitch game 4 Monday, game 5 would be Tuesday (1 day rest), then there is a day off for travel (2 days rest), game 6 would be Thursday (3 days rest), then he pitches Game 7 on Friday— Lemur
- If Hamels were to pitch game 4(which would be Monday), throwing him again in game 7 would mean pitching him on 2 days rest. Hamels will get 2 starts at most, unless they throw him twice on 3 days rest(game 1, 3 if it's played Sunday, and a potential 7).— Bunns
- agreed; if the Phils can get a few strategic outs, it's a 4-3 game going into the 6th (hint to dobbs; swinging the bat helps in this regard). But a quick question about the rotation; IF Saturday's game is rained out (90% chance of rain), do you move Hamels up the game 4 and set him up to then also be able to pitch a game 7? It's certainly something to think about.— vinni
- Myers did pitch well. His only mistake was opening the 1st inning with a walk, which was a tight zone. Werth's error, the Baldelli debacle - each cost us a run. Basically, he threw 7 quality innings giving up 2 ER, equal to Cole's outing (within reason). Factor in J Roll's HBP that wasn't and we were not only in position to tie, but maybe go ahead, no thanks to the homeplate Umpire - that guy was a JOKE!! Please tell me he'll be reprimanded like Ed Hoculi, that is just completely unacceptable in the World Series. We're heading home and should be proud. I honestly think we are the better team. Their pitching has been anything but dominant, we beat ourselves last night. Moyer will be ready to shine and watch for the big man RH6 to go deep! I also predict we go 6 and Myers wins the clincher in Tampa, mark my words. Go Phils!!!— jdressler
- The Phils would have lost that game with Hamels pitching— doorspj24
- IMHO we took one out of two from the team with the best home record in MLB. Not too bad. We do need to hit better with RISP and the umpiring was awful but I think we'll be fine. These young kids might be baffled by Moyer for a few AB's and then we can turn it over to the BP. I also think playing a dome on astro-turf should be against the rules. It's 2008 and you are in FLORIDA. Get a real stadium with grass!— Shatzy
- Obviously Myers held his own pretty well last night since he lasted much longer than the overly quoted "big game" James Shields (who was 1-2 in the playoffs going into last night so Im not so sure of that moniker). He really needs to concentrate on eliminating the walks and get out of the 1st inning. It is amazing his difficulty getting out of the gate.— rvb2321
Comment removed.- That's exactly the way I saw it. Again, no run support, and with the added burdon of unearned runs scoring early. But hey!....They did what you MUST do....take one and bring it home where you can win it .....GO PHIGHTINS'!!!— TBear
- Hey guys this is the WORLD SERIES: You gotta hit when it means something and leaving men in scoring position stick your head in if it means a run. What would "NAILS" have done????? I'm glad I have split screen seeing the hooters contest was better.— joseph dienna
- You're right Rich. Myers wasn't terrible. An error and bad umpiring didn't help his cause. Lack of timely hitting certainly didn't help. I personally would have started Myers in Philly and possibly had Blanton pitch last night.— GANick
- I thought Myers pitched better than fine. If Werth doesn't make the error in the first ining he would have got out of the inning with zero runs scored. And another run was because of the blown call by the ump on the Baldelli walk. So in my opinion he only gave up 1 run at the most. Moyer comes up big tonight.— Lemur
