PREFERS TEMPLE'S OFFENSE TO PRINCETON'S
Here is what Phillies lefthander Cliff Lee had to say after his complete-game, 5-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies in Game 1 of the NLDS today at Citizens Bank Park:
“I knew it would be more adrenaline," he said. "But it’s still 60-feet, 6-inches to home plate and it’s still the same strike zone. You gotta throw strikes. You gotta make them swing the bat.
“Today was the biggest game we played so far. Tomorrow’s game is equally important. Every game is equally important. This is what our goal was and what we’re trying to do: win games.
“My past four or five outings I missed and fell behind and got into 3-0 and 3-1 counts. Today I stayed ahead of the count. If you do that consistently, good things are going to happen. I didn’t feel as if I was all over the place the last four or five outings. Instead of four or five pitches to make an adjustment, it took one or two pitches [today].”
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel was impressed with both starting pitchers. “[Rockies starter Ubaldo Jimenez] has a lot of talent, he has a big-time arm,” Manuel said. “We created some chances. I felt that we hit the ball very good. It was good to see [Raul] Ibanez and [Jayson] Werth and [Ryan] Howard, too, hitting the ball in the middle of the lineup.
“The biggest difference today in [Lee] was that he had a fastball and curve today and he was good with both of them.”
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A lot has been made over the past few days about the defending World Champions getting saddled with a couple of day starts. I was at the Pour House in East Falls last night where owner and all-around good guy George Flacco estimated the day starts would cost him several thousand dollars in business. In this economy, how many people can afford to call out of work to watch or attend a baseball game?
Well, Cole Hamels feels your pain.
"From the game perspective, you can't let it affect you, because you can't use it as a an excuse," Hamels said. "We have to go out there, we have to play the game, and we have to try to win. But in being the defending world champs, I think it's kind of a little weird that we kind of get both games at 2 o'clock. I don't think it's fair. I defenitely don't think it's fair for the fans, because this is all about the home-field advantage or just baseball in general.
"I understand TV ratings, but I think at the end of the day, most players would rather play when they're most comfortable, and that's kind of what we've trained at, either 1 o'clock or 7 o'clock, and I think that's more fair for us than really the TV ratings, because truly, I don't think we mind as much for TV ratings."
Hamels, who will start tomorrow against Aaron Cook in Game 2, has a particular reason to be perturbed: In his career, he is 10-13 with a 4.66 ERA and a 1.395 WHIP in 37 day games compared to 38-21 with a 3.27 ERA and a 1.089 WHIP in 79 night games.
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No surprises in today's line-up:
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A quick break-down of today's opposing starter, righthander Ubaldo Jimenez:
This season, righties are hitting .206 against him, while lefties are hitting .251.
Jimenez is 7-7 with a 3.58 ERA on the road, compared with 8-5 and a 3.34 ERA at home.
In September and October, Jimenez was 3-2 with a 4.17 ERA in six starts.
Batters are hitting just .200 against Jimenez with runners in scoring position.
The Phillies last faced Jimenez on May 27, 2008, scoring seven runs against him in four innings. They also faced him in the NLDS in 2007, when he allowed one run on three hits in 6 1./3 innings.
Pedro Feliz is 3-for-4 with a home run, a double and three RBI off Jimenez.
Ryan Howard is 2-for-5 with a home run.
Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Shane Victorino are a combined 7-for-16 off Jimenez.
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Here is a look at how Phillies hitters have stacked up against Colorado's reliever. Greg Dobbs, Matt Stairs and Raul Ibanez have all had considerable success against the Rockies' bullpen:
LHP Joe Beimel
Jimmy Rollins: 3/14, 2 XBH
Shane Victorino: 3/8, 1 XBH, 1 SO
Chase Utley: 2/12, 1 XBH, 3 SO
Ryan Howard: 3/10, 3 XBH, HR, 2 SO, 3 BB
Jayson Werth: 0/5, SO
Raul Ibanez: 1/2, BB, SO
Pedro Feliz: 5/19, 2 HR, 4 XBH, 2 BB, 2 SO
Carlos Ruiz: DNF
Greg Dobbs: DNF
Matt Stairs: 1/4
Ben Francisco: 0/2, SO
Miguel Cairo: 1/4
Paul Bako: 1/4, SO
RHP Jason Marquis
Rollins: 4/34, 4 BB, 5 SO
Victorino: 0/2, BB
Utley: 8/18, XBH, 1 SO
Howard: 2/10, 5 BB, 1 SO
Werth: 6/9, 2 HR, 4 XBH
Ibanez: 1/6, 1 XBH
Feliz: 2/15, 1 XBH, 1 SO
Ruiz: 0/2
Dobbs: 1/5
Stairs: 3/5, 2 BB
Francisco: DNF
Cairo: DNF
Bako: 2/11, XBH, 1 BB, 3 SO
RHP Huston Street
Rollins: 0/2
Victorino: 0/1
Utley: DNF
Howard: DNF
Werth: 0/1, SO
Ibanez: 4/16, 3 SO, 1 XBH, 1 BB
Feliz: 2/4, 1 XBH
Ruiz: DNF
Dobbs: 2/3, 1 XBH, 4 RBI
Stairs: 4/8, 2 HR, 2 HR
Francisco: DNF
Cairo: 0/1
RHP Rafael Betancourt
Rollins: 0/1
Victorino: 0/1, SO
Utley: DNF
Howard: DNF
Werth: 0/1
Ibanez: 4/10, XBH, 2 SO
Feliz: DNF
Ruiz: DNF
Dobbs: 0/1
Stairs: 3/9, 2 SO
Francisco: DNF
Cairo: 2/3
RHP Jose Contreras
Rollins: 1/3, 1 XBH
Utley: 2/2, HR, BB
Howard: 0/2, SO
Werth: 1/2, BB
Ibanez: 8/14, HR, 2 BB, 1 SO
Feliz: DNF
Ruiz: DNF
Dobbs: 3/5, 4 RBI
Stairs: 5/18, 2 XBH, 4 SO, 4 BB
Francisco: 2/11, 4 SO
Cairo: 1/6
Bako: 1/11, 4 SO
RHP Matt Daley
Rollins: DNF
Victorino: DNF
Utley: DNF
Howard: DNF
Werth: 0/1, SO
Ibanez: 0/1, SO
Feliz: 0/1
Ruiz: DNF
Dobbs: DNF
Stairs: DNF
Francisco: DNF
Cairo: 1/6
LHP Franklin Morales
Rollins: DNF
Victorino: 0/1
Utley: 0/3
Howard: 0-3, 2 SO
Werth: 1/2
Ibanez: DNF
Feliz: 0/2, SO, BB
Ruiz: 0/2
Dobbs: DNF
Stairs: DNF
Francisco: DNF
Cairo: DNF
Bako: 0/1
RHP Matt Belisle
Rollins: 3/6, XBH
Victorino: 2/6
Utley: 4/6, 2 HR, 4 XBH, 1 SO, 5 RBI
Howard: 0/3, 3 SO, 2 BB
Werth: 1/1, HR
Ibanez: 0/1
Feliz: 0/5, SO
Ruiz: 2/4, XBH
Dobbs: 1/6, XBH, 3 RBI
Stairs: 0/1
Francisco: DNF
Cairo: 0/1
Bako: 0/1
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A scene from my walk into the ballpark this morning that should tell you all you need to know about how hard the wind is blowing here: In the distance, a gentleman has a baseball cap pulled low over his face when suddenly a gust not only blows it off of his head, but sends it airborne skimming across the ground where, 50 yards away, a good samaritan fields it like a ground ball. The wind isn't just blowing hard - there is some Wizard of Oz stuff going on at the ballpark today. The flags in centerfield are blowing straight toward the right field foul pole. Charlie Manuel realized it when he walked out of his house this morning and saw a big tree limb down on his street.
"It got my attention right when I walked out of my house this morning," Manuel said. "I've been down in the dugout. I walked around the field. When the wind blows as hard as it was this morning, it definitely can affect the ball, of course."
The Phillies and Rockies both have some heavy-duty left-handed hitters, so it will be interesting to see how the wind affects the way the ball carries to right field.
The 2008 Championship Pennant is wrapped around the flag pole right now.
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Joe Blanton and J.A. Happ will both be in the bullpen today. Pedro Martinez, however, won't. I asked Manuel what Martinez's role is right now.
"He's available to pitch, and definitely he's in the mix to be one of our starters in this series," Manuel said.
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Busy news day here. . .
We'll run things down in order of importance:
1) The Phillies have not announced their postseason roster yet, but they have informed a trio of players that they are not on the roster: Righthanders Tyler Walker and Clay Condrey, both of whom were question marks, are not on. Also, utility man Eric Bruntlett, who scored the game-winning run in the World Series last year, was informed that he is not on the squad. Veteran utility man Miguel Cairo is on the squad, along with lefthander Antonio Bastardo. That left one open spot, which will be filled by righthander Kyle Kendrick.
Your roster, as of today:
Regulars: Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Pedro Feliz, Carlos Ruiz, Raul Ibanez
Bench: LH Matt Stairs, LH Greg Dobbs, LH/C Paul Bako, RH Miguel Cairo, RH Ben Francisco
Rotation: Game 1 - Cliff Lee, Game 2 - Cole Hamels, Game 3 - TBA
Bullpen: LHPs - J.A. Happ, Antonio Bastardo, Scott Eyre; RHPs - Pedro Martinez, Joe Blanton, Ryan Madson, Brad Lidge, Kyle Kendrick, Chad Durbin, Pedro Martinez
2) Cliff Lee will be your Game 1 starter against Ubaldo Jimenez. Cole Hamels will be your Game 2 starter against Aaron Cook. After that, there is lots of uncertainty. Jason Hammel will start Game 3. The Phillies, however, have not announced a Game 3 starter. Charlie Manuel said there is a "big chance" J.A. Happ starts at some point this series. But he also said that Happ and Joe Blanton will be available out of the bullpen in Games 1 and 2. As for Pedro Martinez, there is even more mystery. Manuel did not say that Martinez would be available to pitch out of the bullpen. He did say Martinez would throw some side sessions.
3) Eric Bruntlett, who scored the winning run in Game 5 of the World Series last season, was left off the roster. This comes as a surprise, since the Phillies have always valued Bruntlett's defensive versatility. With Francisco and Cairo, they apparently felt he was not worth keeping just for defensive purposes. Righthander Clay Condrey is the other member of last year's team who is not on the roster.
4) Jamie Moyer had surgery to repair three torn tendons on Friday. He was walking around the stadium today. The initial prognosis is that he has a good chance to be ready for spring training.
5) Lefthander J.C. Romero will have elbow surgery on Thursday. But general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said the surgery is not Tommy John surgery, and that the initial recovery time is expected to be three to four months, which leaves a good chance that he will be ready by spring training. However, Amaro did say that there is a possibility that once doctors cut into Romero's elbow, they could discover further damage that would prolong the recovery. At this point, though, the surgery is expected to repair his flexor tendon, not his UCL, which is the ligament that is replaced in Tommy John surgery.
6) Some Rockies news of interest to the Phillies: Lefty Jorge De La Rosa, who strained his groin in his last start, will not be available to pitch in the NLDS.
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Spahn and Sain and pray for rain, the old saying went in regards to the Boston Braves rotation in the late-1940's. The Phillies will have a similar 1-2 punch atop their rotation to start the NLCS as manager Charlie Manuel announced today that Cliff Lee will start Game 1 followed by Cole Hamels in Game 2. After that, though, nothing is set. Manuel said that lefthander J.A. Happ and righthander Joe Blanton will be available to pitch out of the bullpen in Games 1 and 2. The move is an indication that the Phillies plan on keeping 11 pitchers, the only lefty being veteran Scott Eyre, who has been hampered by an elbow injury. Manuel said he planned on announcing his roster after today's work-out, when he will be able to talk to the players who have been left off the roster.
For sure, this is an unconventional approach. Manuel said there was a big indication that Happ would start at some point this series. If he is required to pitch in the back end of Game 1, he could pitch Game 4 on three days rest. Same goes for Blanton. It sounds as if Pedro Martinez will be at the ready to start.
Confusing? Absolutely. But with an injury-riddled bullpen, the Phillies obviously feel that it is necessary.
Now, why Lee over Hamels?
Easy. Lee will be on five days rest for Game 1. Hamels will be on four days rest for Game 2. In reality, Game 1 and Game 2 are of equal importance, and both pitchers will be on normal rest for Game 5.
Lee joined the Phillies in a trade deadline deal with Cleveland. The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner finished 7-4 with a 3.39 ERA for the Phillies and now makes his postseason debut.
Lee has faced the Rockies once in a his career, pitching seven innings and allowing one run with nine strikeouts in a Phillies win in early August.
Hamels allowed seven runs in his only outing against Colorado, but it came in his first start of the season, when his fastball sat in the mid-80's.
UPDATED: The Phillies announced their roster for the National League Division Series.
Catchers (2): Paul Bako and Carlos Ruiz
Infielders (6): Miguel Cairo, Greg Dobbs, Pedro Feliz, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley
Outfielders (5): Ben Francisco, Raul Ibanez, Matt Stairs, Shane Victorino and Jayson Werth
Pitchers (12): left-handers Antonio Bastardo, Scott Eyre, Cole Hamels, J.A. Happ and Cliff Lee and right-handers Joe Blanton, Chad Durbin, Kyle Kendrick, Brad Lidge, Ryan Madson, Pedro Martinez and Brett Myers
Earlier: The Phillies informed a trio of players that they are not on the roster: Righthanders Tyler Walker and Clay Condrey, both of whom were question marks, are not on. Also, utility man Eric Bruntlett, who scored the game-winning run in the World Series last year, was informed that he is not on the squad.
Veteran utility man Miguel Cairo is on the squad, along with lefthander Antonio Bastardo. That likely leaves one open spot, which could be filled by righthander Kyle Kendrick.
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Spahn and Sain and pray for rain, the old saying went in regards to the Boston Braves rotation in the late-1940's. The Phillies will have a similar 1-2 punch atop their rotation to start the NLCS as manager Charlie Manuel announced today that Cliff Lee will start Game 1 followed by Cole Hamels in Game 2. After that, though, nothing is set. Manuel said that lefthander J.A. Happ and righthander Joe Blanton will be available to pitch out of the bullpen in Games 1 and 2. The move is an indication that the Phillies plan on keeping 11 pitchers, the only lefty being veteran Scott Eyre, who has been hampered by an elbow injury. Manuel said he planned on announcing his roster after today's work-out, when he will be able to talk to the players who have been left off the roster.
For sure, this is an unconventional approach. Manuel said there was a big indication that Happ would start at some point this series. If he is required to pitch in the back end of Game 1, he could pitch Game 4 on three days rest. Same goes for Blanton. It sounds as if Pedro Martinez will be at the ready to start.
Confusing? Absolutely. But with an injury-riddled bullpen, the Phillies obviously feel that it is necessary.
Now, why Lee over Hamels?
Easy. Lee will be on five days rest for Game 1. Hamels will be on four days rest for Game 2. In reality, Game 1 and Game 2 are of equal importance, and both pitchers will be on normal rest for Game 5.
Lee joined the Phillies in a trade deadline deal with Cleveland. The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner finished 7-4 with a 3.39 ERA for the Phillies and now makes his postseason debut.
Lee has faced the Rockies once in a his career, pitching seven innings and allowing one run with nine strikeouts in a Phillies win in early August.
Hamels allowed seven runs in his only outing against Colorado, but it came in his first start of the season, when his fastball sat in the mid-80's.
We have plenty to evaluate over the next 48 hours. The Phillies are likely huddling right now, hashing out some of the remaining questions regarding the composition of their 25-man roster. Rosters are not due until Wednesday morning, but we should have a pretty good idea by the time they take the field for their workout. Below is our projected 25-man roster and projected postseason rotation, followed by how we arrived at this conclusion:
The Rotation: Game 1 - LHP Cliff Lee vs. RHP Ubaldo Jimenez; Game 2 - LHP Cole Hamels vs. RHP Aaron Cook; Game 3 -RHP Joe Blanton at RHP Jason Marquis; Game 4 - LHP J.A. Happ at TBA
The Regulars: SS Jimmy Rollins, CF Shane Victorino, 2B Chase Utley, 1B Ryan Howard, LF Raul Ibanez, RF Jayson Werth, 3B Pedro Feliz, C Carlos Ruiz
The Bench: INF Miguel Cairo, UTIL Eric Bruntlett, OF Ben Francisco, C Paul Bako, OF Matt Stairs, INF Greg Dobbs
The Bullpen: RHP Ryan Madson, RHP Brad Lidge, RHP Brett Myers, LHP Scott Eyre, RHP Clay Condrey, RHP Tyler Walker, RHP Pedro Martinez
FAQs:
1. Who will be the odd man out of the rotation?
The likely scenario: We might not be having this conversation if Martinez hadn't strained his neck against the Braves on Sept. 19. He had allowed just four runs on on 18 hits in 21 2/3 innings in his previous three starts. But since Sept. 13, he has started just two games, throwing 56 pitches against the Braves on Sept. 19 and then 84 pitches against the Astros on Sept. 30. While Blanton has struggled in his last two starts, there is no question about his health. I expect Blanton to start Game 3 or 4 in Colorado and Martinez to throw a simulated game tomorrow at the Phillies' work-out, where he will be able to face the team's hitters. Then, I expect the Phillies to have him ready to pitch in a relief role, either in Game 3 or Game 4. I know logic says to split up the lefties, but I'm putting Happ in Game 3
A possible scenario: The Phillies feel Martinez is best suited to start Game 3 or 4, in which case they reverse roles and have Blanton ready to pitch in relief.
Don't count it out: Martinez pitching in relief. The Phillies want Happ in the rotation against the Rockies, who are much better against righties than lefties. I just don't see him being left out of the rotation. But what I can see is Martinez coming in to pitch the eighth inning of a game, even if it is only to face a couple of batters. True, he has suffered most of his damage this season in the first inning. But he is a red light player - when the red light on the camera blinks on, he steps up his game. He is an experienced postseason player. The cream rises to the top in the postseason. Don't be surprised if Martinez winds up pitching in a pivotal relief situation.
2. Who will start game one?
The likely scenario: I'm swimming upstream here, but I see no reason why the Phillies wouldn't give the ball to Cliff Lee in Game 1. Sure, he's had mixed results in his last seven starts, going 2-4 with a 6.13 ERA since putting together a 0.68 ERA in his first five starts as a Phillie. But Lee dominated the Rockies at Citizens Bank Park back on Aug. 6, allowing one run on six hits and striking out nine in seven innings of a 3-1 victory. Furthermore, he is 3-2 with a 2.52 ERA in five starts at home. Most importantly, he is on schedule to pitch Game 1 on five days rest, when he is 32-13 with a 3.50 ERA and .256 BAA in his career (compared with 8-9 with a 4.40 ERA and .260 BAA on six or more days rest, which he would be on for Game 2).
The possible scenario: A lot of people think that because the Phillies limited Cole Hamels to three innings on Saturday, they are trying to turn him around to start Game 1. It makes some sense. After all, Hamels went 3-0 in Game 1's last postseason. Other than that, though, there is no real incentive for the Phillies to rush Hamels back. He'll be on his normal turn, which is when he contends - and statistics prove - he pitches his best, for Game 2. Besides, both Game 1 and Game 2 starters will be available to pitch Game 5 on full rest.
Don't count it out: Charlie Manuel said yesterday that he thinks J.A. Happ has the ability to start one of the first two games. But he could also use another lefty out of the bullpen, particularly in whatever game Joe Blanton or Pedro Martinez pitch. As good as Blanton was this season, going 9-4 with a 2.78 ERA in 21 starts from May 26 to Sept. 22, he has allowed 10 runs in his last two starts and has completed more than six innings in just one of his last six starts. So try this scenario on for size: Happ pitches Game 2 - he would be on three days rest, but threw just 39 pitches Sunday - then is available to pitch out of the bullpen in Game 4 if he is needed. Happ usually throws his side session on the third day after he pitches. If he starts Game 2, his normal side day would be Sunday, which is Game 4. If that is an elimination game, and the Phillies need someone to pitch the seventh and eighth innings after Blanton leaves, you can bet Happ would be able to do it.
3. What options are the Phillies looking at for their roster?
Position locks (13): Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez, Pedro Feliz, Carlos Ruiz, Jayson Werth, Shane Victorino, Matt Stairs, Greg Dobbs, Paul Bako, Eric Bruntlett, Ben Francisco.
Pitching locks (9): Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee, J.A. Happ, Joe Blanton, Ryan Madson, Scott Eyre, Brett Myers, Brad Lidge, Pedro Martinez
On the bubble (6): Clay Condrey, Tyler Walker, Chad Durbin, Kyle Kendrick, Antonio Bastardo, Miguel Cairo
So we have six players fighting for three spots. As good as Kendrick has pitched down the stretch, there simply isn't a need for him in a five-game series, particularly with either Blanton or Martinez being available for long relief. So count him out, at least for the first round.
Now, here's a look at the five other players vying for the final three spots:
Chad Durbin, RHP: There might not be a hotter reliever on the team. In his last six outings dating back to Sept. 22, Durbin has thrown seven scoreless innings, allowing three hits, five walks and five strikeouts. Since Sept 1, he has allowed three earned runs in 15 2/3 innings while stranding both of the runners he inherited, although he has walked 11 during that stretch. In the first five months of the season, however, he posted a 5.17 ERA, allowing 103 hits and walks in 54.0 innings. Durbin faced the Rockies twice in April, allowing three runs in one inning on April 10 and no runs in two innings on April 12. Lefties are 25-for-112 (.223) with four home runs and four doubles off of him. Righties are 31-for-142 (.218) with four home runs, eight doubles and one triple. At Coors Field in his career, Durbin has allowed three runs in 3 2/3 innings.
Tyler Walker, RHP: One of the unheralded stars of the bullpen for much of the second half of the season, Walker hit a rough patch in late September, allowing four runs in back-to-back games against the Brewers and Astros without recording an out. But those two outings came at the end of a stretch in which he pitched in seven games in 12 days and warmed up several other times without appearing. In his last two outings of the season, he pitched three scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out two while walking none. In 32 appearances this seaosn, with a 3.06 ERA, he has walked more than one batter just twice and overall has allowed just nine walks in 35 1/3 innings. Walker pitched one scoreless inning against the Rockies on Aug. 4. Lefties are 11/48 (.229) with one home run and one double off Walker. Righties are hitting .230 against him. Walker has had the most experience at Coors Field thanks to his time with the Giants. He is 3-0 in 18 games, allowing five runs in 18 innings (2.50 ERA).
Clay Condrey, RHP: Condrey has not allowed an earned run since missing close to two months with a strained oblique. In nine outings since his return on Sept. 9, he has allowed two runs on five hits with no walks and three strikeouts in five innings. In fact, if you take away his last two outings before going on the disabled list in late June (he allowed six earned runs while recording just one out), he has a 1.72 ERA in 43 appearances this season. Four of the 12 runners he has inherited during that stretch have scored. Condrey pitched two scoreless innings against the Rockies in two appearances on April 10 and 12. Lefties are hitting 10-for-58 (.172) with one home run and three doubles off of him. Righties are 27-for-101 (.267) with three home runs, one double and one triple. In his career at Coors Field, Condrey has allowed seven runs in seven innings
Antonio Bastardo, LHP: Bastardo is the wild card, particularly since lefthander J.C. Romero is done for the season. The Phillies have just one lefty reliever in Scott Eyre - Jack Taschner and Sergio Escalona are not options. While Bastardo throws hard and had some success in his first two spot starts of the season, he has just one relief appearance since being recalled. Manuel said yesterday he would be uncomfortable throwing an inexperienced pitcher like Bastardo in a big moment in the game. But do they have another option? This is likely one of the biggest debates going on right now.
Miguel Cairo, INF: We laid out Cairo's case for the postseason roster in today's paper. Since the Phillies recalled him in late August, he is 10-for-28 with five runs scored and two RBI. He is 20-for-61 in postseason play. He is also 2-for-3 against Rockies reliever Rafael Betancourt and is 1-for-4 with two walks against lefty specialist Joe Beimel. Because Manuel will have to be creative with his bullpen, which means there could be many pitching changes, he could certainly use an extra bat on the bench, especially since Eric Bruntlett will likely be used in late game situations to replace Raul Ibanez, particularly in the big Coors Field outfield.
4. Who will make the roster?
The likely scenario: There isn't one, although more and more I think Cairo will have a spot on the team. And I think that Bastardo will be left off, simply because in a big spot against a left-handed hitter Manuel would rather call on an experienced righty than an inexperienced lefty. So Cairo is on and Bastardo and Kendrick are off. That leaves Walker, Condrey and Durbin vying for the final two bullpen spots. Walker makes it for several reasons: 1) He has been consistent for most of the season. 2) He has a ton of experience and has performed well at Coors Field. 3) With the exception of Helton, he has good career numbers against Rockies hitters (see numbers below).
This leaves Durbin and Condrey battling for the final spot, and I'm projecting Condrey to make it thanks to his good career numbers against the Rockies, as well as his relative success against Helton.
The possible scenario: Cairo is left off so the Phillies can accomodate Durbin, Condrey and Walker.
Don't count it out: The Phillies keep Bastardo so they have another lefty against the left-handed dominant Rockies.
Rockies hitters vs. Phillies bubble relievers:
Lefties
Helton (Walker - 3/9, HR, 2 RBI; Durbin 0/0; Condrey 1/7, 2B, 3 RBI)
Stewart (Walker - 0/1; Durbin 0/2; Condrey 0/2)
Smith (Walker - 0/1; Durbin 0/1; Condrey 0/1
Hawpe (Walker - 1/7; Durbin 0/0; Condrey 0/4)
Gonzalez (Walker - 0/2; Durbin 0/0; Condrey 0/0)
Giambi (Walker - 0/1; Durbin - 6/15, 2 HR; Condrey 0/0)
Righties
Ianetta (Walker - 0/1; Durbin - 1/3; Condrey 0/4)
Barmes (Walker - 1/6; Durbin - 0/3; Condrey 1/1, 2B)
Tulowitzki (Walker - 0/2; Durbin 0/1; Condrey 0/3)
Atkins (Walker - 2/9; Durbin - 1/4; Condrey 2/4, HR, 2 RBI)
Sillborghs (Walker - 1/1; Durbin 2/2; Condrey 0/1)
Torrealba (Walker - 0/2; Durbin 0/0; Condrey 0/3)
The Phillies and Rockies will open Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Wednesday with a first pitch of 2:37 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park.
Thursday's game also will be a 2:37 p.m. start in Philadelphia.
The series shifts to Denver for Game 3 and potentially Game 4 next weekend. Game 3 at Coors Field will have a start time of 9:37 p.m. Eastern.
Game times have not been set for Sunday's Game 4, if necessary, or a Game 5 in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
This mirrors the schedule in 2007 when the Phillies hosted both afternoon games in the Division Series against the Rockies. Last year, the Phillies opened against the Brewers with a day game and then had a 6:07 start for Game 2.
Also, while Charlie Manuel did not announce the identity of the Phillies' Game 1 starter, Colorado manager Jim Tracy essentially named Ubaldo Jiminez.
Jiminez went 15-12 with a 3.47 earned run average. He struck out 198 batters in 218 innings pitched. He dd not face the Phillies this year.
The Rockies' Game 2 starter depends on the health of lefthander Jorge De La Rosa, who injured his groin Saturday night against the Dodgers. Tracy said his condition remains undetermined. De La Rosa is 0-2 against the Phillies this season.
More to come ...
The Los Angeles Dodgers wrapped up the National League West title with a 5-0 win over the Colorado Rockies on Saturday night at Dodger Stadium.
The loss means the Rockies will be the NL wild-card team and open the Division Series on Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park.
The Rockies rallied at the end of the season but might have lost pitcher Jorge DeRosa wit a groin injury last night and also have a number of players battling the flu.
"Going to Philadelphia, you know you are going to have to beat one of the best teams. Our guys are excited about that," manager Jim Tracy said after the game.
Here is a look at how the two teams matched up this season:
Season series: Phillies won, 4-2
At home: Phillies won two of three, Aug. 4-6
Quick recap: The streaking Rockies came to Philly and took the first game, 8-3, as Garrett Atkins drove in four runs and Jamie Moyer struggled. In the second game, J.A. Happ pitched his second shutout of the season in a 7-0 win, with a career-high 10 strikeouts. Cliff Lee made his home debut a winner in a 3-1 victory, allowing a run and six hits, with nine strikeouts over seven innings.
On the road: Phillies won two of three, April 10-12
Quick recap: The freshly minted World Series champions got a rude beginning at Coors Field as Cole Hamels lasted just 3 2/3 innings and gave up seven runs in his season debut, a 10-3 loss. In the second game, the Phillies pounded out 15 hits and scored seven two-out runs for an 8-4 win, despite Brett Myers allowing three home runs. Matt Stairs' two-run, pinch-hit homer in the ninth lifted the Phillies to a 7-5 win in the finale.
Recent playoff history: The Rockies swept the Phillies in three games in the National League Division Series in 2007.
PHILLIES' HOT BATS VS. ROCKIES
Chase Utley: .421, 8-for-19, 1 HR, 4 RBI
Jayson Werth: .391, 9-for-23, 2 HR, 8 RBI
Raul Ibanez: .304, 7-for-23, 1 HR, 2 RBI
Pedro Feliz: .350, 7-for-20, 1 HR, 5 RBI
ROCKIES' HOT BATS VS. PHILLIES
Dexter Fowler: .429, 9-for-21, 1 HR, 3 RBI
Ryan Spillborghs: .348, 8-for-23, 0 HR, 3 RBI
Garrett Atkins: .304, 7-for-23, 3 HR, 8 RBI
PHILS' COLD BAT VS. ROCKIES
Ryan Howard: .250, 6-for-24, 0 HR, 4 RBI
ROCKIES' COLD BATS VS. PHILS
Todd Helton: .190, 4-for-21, 0 HR, 4 RBI
Clint Barmes: .190, 4-for-21, 1 HR, 3 RBI
PHILS' HOT ARMS VS. ROCKIES
Cliff Lee: 1-0, 7 IP, 1 ER, 6 H, 9 K
*Brad Lidge: 0-0, 4 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 4 K
*Ryan Madson: 1-0, 3 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 4 K
J.A. Happ: 1-0, 11 IP, 0 ER, 5 H, 11 K
ROCKIES' HOT ARM VS. PHILS
Jason Marquis: 1-0, 7 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 2 K
PHILS' COLD ARM VS. ROCKIES
Cole Hamels: 0-1, 3, 7 IP, 11 H, 1 K
ROCKIES' COLD ARMS VS. PHILS
*Huston Street: 0-1, 1 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 1 K
*Manny Corpas: 0-0, 1 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 1 K
* - Relief pitcher.
Lefty reliever J.C. Romero, who was activated from the disabled list on Monday (he had been on it since July 23 with a strained left forearm), pitched one inning against Houston on Tuesday, gave up two hits in his first appearance since July 19 vs. Florida.
He has been shut down for the rest of the year after seeking a second medical opinion.
Said manager Charlie Manuel: “I’ve kind of known it all along [that Romero eventually would be shut down]. He’s been hurt. It seems like he always gets set back, set back whenever he pitches or tries to pitch.
“I knew there was going to come a day when it was one way or the other. I guess we got the other.”
Righty reliever Chan Ho Park, whose last appearance was Sept. 16 vs. Washington (he had been on the DL with a strained right hamstring), almost certainly will miss the first round of the playoffs. He injured his arm during an instructional league in Florida on Thursday.
“Chan Ho, I don’t think, is going to make this first round — unless we get a miracle,” Manuel said.
Said Park: “I’m still waiting for the doctor [Phillies team physician Michael Ciccotti]. I did an MRI in the morning today [Friday] It’s too bad. I had damn good stuff. I felt so good, my arm felt really strong.”
Not only did the Phillies clinch a third straight National League East title last night, they clinched three consecutive days off for High Cheese. Today, the question on my mind isn't "Pedro Martinez or J.A. Happ for the postseason rotation?" It's, "Rouge or New Wave Cafe for lunch?"
But there is a lot of stuff I didn't get a chance to put in the paper today, so before I turn my attention toward laundry and bills and dry-cleaning and, yes, lunch, I thought I'd run it all down for your.
1) A scene from last night's clubhouse: Jayson Werth is standing in the middle of the room, surrounded by a gaggle of reporters, wearing glasses and a hat while drenched with various forms of alcohol. He is in the middle of a question when a short balding Canadian walks up behind him and tugs on his arm. Werth doesn't notice. So the short balding Candian pinches his rear end. Werth turns around. Matt Stairs whispers to him, "Come on. We're going to the HK sign." With that, Stairs and Werth join the procession of Phillies filing out of the clubhouse, down a long hallway, through the dugout and onto the field. Together, they jog across the playing surface toward left-center field, where a large sign emblazoned with the intials HK has spent the season standing watch over one of the more dramatic seasons in recent memory. They reach the warning track and pause, together, drinking champagne and smoking cigars and reflecting on the previous 157 games. One of the cooler moments I've seen since I started on the beat last February.
2) I asked Pedro Martinez last night how he would evaluate his outing. He said he was satisfied with it. He allowed three runs in four innings and needed 84 pitches to do so, and he looked a lot more like the pitcher who took the mound in his first extended outing as a Phillie in August than the pitcher who held the Mets scoreless for eight innings in his most recent one. But Martinez said that both he and pitching coach Rich Dubee looked at this start as a simple tune-up for the postseason. That's Martinez's word, not mine. He was obviously rusty. It took him an inning to get his fastball back into the upper 80's and low 90's. But after 11 days off, that was to be expected.
3) Who will the Phillies play? As of today, they are a half game behind the Dodgers for the top overall seed in the playoffs and two games ahead of the Cardinals for the second seed. Either one of those two finishes will give them a home playoff series in the first round, and provided the Dodgers win one more game and clinch the NL West, the opponent will almost certainly be Colorado. The Phillies have a magic number of two to clinch second place, meaning they need two wins or Cardinals losses to clinch. Assuming the opponent is Colorado, Games 1 and 2 will be in Philly next Wednesday and Thursday. Games 3 and 4 will be in Colorado next Saturday and Sunday. And a Game 5, if necessary, would be in Philly the following Tuesday.
4) Now, the question: What will the Phillies' postseason rotation look like? Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels are the obvious starters for Game 1 and Game 2. There's a chance the Phillies could do something funky to get Hamels ready for Game 1. But really, that would seem counterproductive. Hamels is scheduled to pitch on Saturday on his normal fifth day, which would set him up to start Game 2 on normal rest. Hamels is best when he is in a rhythm and pitching every fifth day, so I expect the Phillies to keep it that way. Lee, meanwhile, will start tonight and then be available to start Game 1 on five days rest. Both Hamels and Lee will be on full rest if there is a Game 5, so why bother messing with Hamels just to give him the "honor" of starting Game 1?
5) Next question about the rotation: Who starts Game 3 and Game 4? I asked Ruben Amaro Jr. last night if, after watching Martinez pitch the clincher, he would be confident in sending him out to the mound in the playoffs. Amaro said yes, although he acknowledged that no decisions had been made. Most of the focus has been trained on Happ vs. Martinez for the final spot in the rotation, but I'm not sure that Blanton isn't an option for the bullpen. If the opponent is Colorado, Happ will be a strong candidate for the rotation. He pitched a complete game shut out against the Rockies earlier this season, and Colorado has struggled mightily against left-handed starters over the past month or two. So, to me, the question will come down to Blanton vs. Martinez. Blanton has never faced the Rockies, at least according to the splits I am looking at. Martinez, meanwhile, has not fared very well at Coors Field in his career.
Blanton at Dodger Stadium: 2 GS, 0-0, 4.09 ERA
Blanton at Busch Stadium: 2 GS, 2-0, 1.38 ERA
Blanton at Coors Field: No starts
Blanton vs. Dodgers: 4 GS, 1-0, 2.88 ERA
Blanton vs. Rockies: No starts
Blanton vs. Cardinals: 3 GS, 3-0, 1.71 ERA
Blanton in September: 5 GS, 3-1, 4.91 ERA, .243 BAA, 5 HR
Happ at Dodger Stadium: No starts
Happ at Busch Stadium: No starts
Happ at Coors Field: 1 G, 0 GS, 2.1 IP, 1 HR, 0 R, 1 SO, 0 BB, 0 HR
Happ vs. Dodgers: 1 G, 0 GS, 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR
happ vs. Cardinals: 2 GS, 0-1, 5.11 ERA, 12.1 IP, 15 HR, 7 R, 4 BB, 11 SO, 0 HR
Happ vs. Rockies: 2 G, 1 GS, 0.00 ERA, 11.1 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 11 SO
Happ in September: 4 GS, 2-1, 4.43 ERA, .329 BAA, 5 HR
Martinez at Dodger Stadium: 38 G, 14 GS, 7-7, 2.93 ERA
Martinez at Busch Stadium II: 1 GS, 5 IP, 5 R
Martinez at Coors Field: 4 GS, 1-2, 4.97 ERA, 7 HR
Martinez vs. Rockies: 10 G, 8 GS, 2-3, 4.31 ERA
Martinez vs. Cardinals: 16 G, 11 GS, 4-4, 3.62 ERA
Martinez vs. Dodgers: 9 GS, 3-5, 4.02 ERA
Martinez in September: 5 GS, 3-1, 3.14 ERA, .274 BAA
6) But while Happ might be the best choice to start against the Rockies, he also might be the best choice to slide into a bullpen role. While Martinez began his career as a lights-out set-up man for the Dodgers and has appeared in relief in the postseason, he is probably the least-suited for a bullpen role at this point in his career. Watching him pitch this season, it seems to take him a full inning to warm up and find his groove. And his career numbers suggest that habit is not limited to this season. In his career, Martinez has allowed 178 runs in the first inning, far more than any other inning (second-most: 142 in the fourth).
Happ, meanwhile, has allowed just three runs in the first inning this season. Opponents are hitting just .182 against him in the first inning.
But don't forget about Blanton. Opponents are hitting .218 against him in the first inning this season. He has allowed 11 runs in 30 first innings this season. Might he merit consideration as a reliever?
This surely be the Phillies most difficult decision, one that probably will not be made until the day of Game 1.
7) Kyle Kendrick. Has the young righty pitched his way into postseason roster consideration? "Everybody is in consideration," pitching coach Rich Dubee said last night. There is no question Kendrick is a different pitcher from last season. And he has turned in two straight crucial outings of long relief. His ERA in limited action as a reliever is below 3.00 this season. Has he performed well enough to merit consideration with Chad Durbin, Clay Condrey and Tyler Walker for one of the final relief spots on the postseason roster?
8) Educated guesses. Unlike predictions, educated guesses have some foundation in logic. Here are mine:
9) So as of today, here is your projected postseason roster, although I would not be surprised to see Escalona replace Condrey:
10) Feel free to share your thoughts.
Turns out, one of Jamie Moyer's most important pitching performances of the season was also his last.
The 46-year-old lefthander, who helped protect a three-run lead Tuesday night by recording four outs in the sixth and seventh innings to set Ryan Madson up for a six-out save, will have season-ending surgery to repair three torn tendons in his lower abdominal and groin, which he suffered on his final pitch of the Phillies' 7-4 win over Houston.
"You know what? You deal with it," Moyer said. "That's life, and you roll with the punches. I'm not going to complain about it. I had a good run here. My time isn't over here. I'm going to enjoy it, make the best of it, and be a cheerleader."
Team doctor Michael Ciccotti said he was optimistic that Moyer would be ready to return by the start of spring training, a timetable he said is not uncommon even for a player of Moyer's advanced age.
"This is an injury that does occur at all ages of professional pitchers," Ciccotti said. "The results are pretty consistent regardless of the age group. We talk about age and we talk about chronologic age and physiologic age. There are some players who are older and are very youthful in their ability to heal, and there's no question that Jamie has all those qualities."
Moyer was unwilling to look ahead to next season.
"We're worried about right now and having fun and enjoying ourselves," Moyer said in a jubilant clubhouse after the Phillies clinched the division title.
