The Pedro Gamble
How Charlie Manuel rolls the dice, again.
The Pedro Gamble
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
If the Phillies had lost Game 1 to the Dodgers, the gamble would have been more obvious, the question neatly crystallized. When Charlie Manuel decided to pitch Pedro Martinez in Game 2 of this series, he was rolling the dice again, in a big way. It will be great drama, a fine show, as Martinez comes home to where he started, to Dodger Stadium, and attempts to shake off a topcoat of rust on the game's biggest stage. And now I guess it isn't such a big deal -- because if it blows up, or he blows up, well, they did already win Game 1.
But logic says this is going to be another bullpen game. How many more can the Phillies hope to survive?
Watching the way Manuel used his bullpen in Game 1, one thing stands out: Scott Eyre. The only true, experienced situational lefty in the bullpen, pitching in pain with a loose body floating around in his elbow, did not pitch. Manuel used a couple of former lefthanded starters, J.A. Happ and Antonio Bastardo, out of the bullpen and never got to Eyre. Maybe it was just strategy. Or maybe the injury is starting to dictate some things.
Another bullpen thing stands out: Ryan Madson is scuffling. He is a supremely important piece of the Phillies' road to the ninth inning, and he is just struggling right now. You wonder who might pitch the eighth inning in Game 2. It could be Joe Blanton -- unless, of course, they have to go get Martinez really quickly.
Oh, and either Happ or Blanton presumeably will start Game 4 -- so the way they are used today should determine that, you would think.
If this comes across as stream of consciousness, that's because it is. Long, ridiculously-tense nights leave you that way, your mind just racing and wondering. Game 1 was such a huge win for the Phillies. If they can get Game 2, with Cliff Lee on the mound for Game 3, they would hold an enormous advantage. But the concerns still nag. If Cole Hamels is going to be a six-inning, four-run pitcher for the rest of October, how is this bullpen going to survive?
It is the question of the series now. And Pedro Martinez, trying to reach back and recapture glory, will provide the next answer.
Having Park back in what appears to be top form certainly helps a lot if the starters can get through 7.— Gmanonskis- It's never easy with this team. But somehow they manage to get it done. Today would be such a huge win, as Rich said, with Lee pitching Game 3. Today could be the dagger. But something tells me it won't be that easy. It can't be. It never is, with this team. I think LA wins today (desperation factor) and then Lee wins Game 3, to set up a huge Game 4 with a starting pitcher of TBA. Here's hoping Pedro gets it done.— UncleEddie
- Thanks Rich. My thoughts exactly. I've been commenting lately that game is huge..whether you won or lost game. I'd love to see Blanton tonight and him give them 7+ innings vs. Padilla. They would have a great chance at coming home 2 games up. Now, with Pedro, it's 50/50, maybe less, with the way Padilla pitched last time out. You can only go back to the well so many times. I always like to go with the "best available" option, and I just don't feel Pedro is that right now.— scootch
- I don't know how much it matters, but looking at his stats vs. the Dodger lineup throughout his career- he's done a pretty good job. There's a lot of younger guys he hasn't seen too much of, but Manny's only batting .167 in his 38 AB's; Furcal .240 in 25. Hopefully the old goat can keep it going today.— Ed the Head
- Pedro can be quite the magician when he's on. First 2 innings will tell the tale. If he is physically ready, Park ought to pitch the 7th and 8th innings. He was the most effective pitcher last night. Time for Madsen to take a break. Right now Lidge alone is plenty for my heart.— 2stepbay
- Prediction on Pedro's line today: 6 IP 2 ER 1 BB Score: 9-4 Feliz hits a 3 run bomb off Padilla in the 3rd inning.— jjenkins
- I'll defer to Cholly. He made an excellent call on Chan HO, so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. If he says Pedro is ready, I'll try to believe him.— scootch
- The biggest issue for Pedro this year in his starts has been the 1st inning. If he get's through the first inning without giving up a run he may be okay... LA's lineup is tough from top to bottom. This is certainly a gamble for sure. I would have preferred Blanton...— jmcginle
- I trust in Charly's judgment. He has pulled the right strings for two years now.— Bobphxville
- If the Phils can jump on Padilla within the first two innings (hitting him hard in inning 1 would be wonderful) then that will settle down Pedro in a HUGE way. It almost seems with the way Pedro is talking, this might be his last year and he wants to go out on top. I mean, have you listened to him speak of how he felt the Phils were the best fit for him despite better offers from other teams? This almost seems like destiny.— ESFjellin
- I agree that Blanton would be preferable, but at the same time, if they're going to start Pedro, this is the time to do it. Let him start a game at Dodger Stadium, where his mistakes have a better chance of staying in the park.— Mike P
- these videos are the worst. when i pause the video it means i don't want to watch or listen to it, yet it unpauses itself.— eagles84
- Can't wait to see Pedro pitch to Manny. After all those years together, do you think Pedro may drill him between the blades just to renew their friendship. Watch out for the chin music Rastaman!— jondria
- agreed. Dump the videos.— dragoon6
- I am crossing my fingers Pedro!!!! Go Phillies!— Could.It.Really.Be...ColonelAngus
