Blanton to start Game 4
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Blanton to start Game 4
Daily News staff
Cliff Lee will not come back to pitch Game 4 on three days' rest.
Instead, Joe Blanton will get the call on Sunday night against the Yankees at Citizens Bank Park.
Lee has never pitched on three days' rest in his career, but seemed confident he could. He threw 122 pitches in his masterful Game 1 victory on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium.
Blanton started Game 4 of the NLCS against the Dodgers and gave up four runs in six innings. He had pitched out of the bullpen in the Division Series.
Blanton won Game 4 against Tampa Bay last year, allowing two runs over six innings with seven strikeouts and two walks. He also bashed a home run.
More to come.
Strong bats and technically sound baseball. They didn't have either last night. Need to get them both back Charlie.
I trust that Charlie Manuel knows what he's doing, but this makes me uneasy.— dd421- Can it be possible that we’ve lost game 4 before we win or lose game 3?— Goodhands
- CC on 3 days rest is going to shelled. Phils are in his head and CBP will be absolutely outrageous. Heavy B will do it! I'm more worried about Hamels.. in fact, I am extremely worried about Hamels.— Freddy
- The Yankees have seen Blanton plenty. Texieira owns him and A-Rod has pretty good numbers too. Not feeling real good about this one. Maybe the Phils should looked a little more interested last night and this wouldn't be such an issue.— booman55
- No worries. Don't forget Blanton has had success pitching against the yankees while he was pitching in the AL. It's a good move and don't forget how Myers faired against CC last year.— Phillydave
- if hamels wins tomorrow it will be fine. up 2-1, no need to rush your ace back on the mound. cc is starting cause they dont even have someone as good as blaton to go in game 4. and hopefully we dont need happ tomorrow, this way if blaton struggles a bit early on you can always throw the rook out there.— Greg S
- IT WOULD BE 4 DAYS REST NOT 3!!! LEE PITCHED ON WED AND GAME 4 IS SUNDAY!!! THIS WHOLE ARTICLE IS INCORRECT BECAUSE OF THAT ONE DETAIL— LouB
- Happ is not being disrespected. He has to be our lefthanded relief pitcher with Romero not available.— Phillydave
- LouB - Game 4 on Sunday will be three days rest.. Pretty simple..— gallen024
- Stop worrying! Game 4's are Blanton's specialty, Phils are4-0 in all the Game 4's that Big Joe has started— efrye13
- I would have liked to have seen Happ but I agree with larry flick, bring in Happ after the fifth!— phillynupe4
- Would've thought you'd make this call after game 3. Sure Joe's gonna pitch, but a win in game 3 means Joe on Sunday, Cliff on Monday. A loss in game 3 and you flip 'em. Cole needs to be "on" tomorrow. Needs some confidence, because if this goes 7, he's your guy now...— oldschool-26
Comment removed.- Take it from a Yankee fan; you are making a huge mistake in not pitching Lee in Games 4 and 7. Charlie Manuel is starting to make Grady Little look like a genius. If I'm managing the Phillies, I send Lee out as often as possible until his arm falls off. Your rotation throws too soft. Right now, Yankee hitters do not have their timing on your pitchers because they were facing some serious heat against the Angels and Twins. That issue will correct itself, which is why you need Lee out there every freakin' day if you have any chance of winning this thing, because he is a master at changing speeds and location. He also has nerves of steel.— Yanksin4
