First look at the rotation. . .
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First look at the rotation. . .
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Less than a week to go before Opening Day and we still haven't been told whether Jamie Moyer or Kyle Kendrick will enter the season as the No. 5 starter. I'd expect that word to come soon, perhaps as soon as today, for sure by Wednesday. Kendrick is scheduled to start against the Astros tomorrow, but it's hard to imagine that his start will have much bearing on what the Phillies ultimately choose. They entered the spring saying the job was Moyer's to lose, and Moyer has done nothing to do to lose it. In fact, he may have won it, considering the tremendous performance he turned in against the Yankees on Firday night, allowing one hit in 6 2/3 innings at George M. Steinbrenner field. Moyer was helped out by his defense -- the Yankees hit several balls on the nose. But he was as sharp as I've seen him at point since 2008, owning the inside half of the plate with his fast(relatively-speaking)ball and cutter while prompting a few big swing-and-misses with his change-up. It has always made the most sense to send Moyer into the season as the fifth starter -- now, with his sterling performance in his two Grapefruit League starts, it borders on a no-brainer.
Kendrick has allowed just three earend runs and 12 hits in 19 2/3 innings for a 1.37 ERA. But Moyer has allowed just one earned run and seven hits with no walks and 12 strikeouts in 11.2 innings. Nobody expects him to strike out 9.25 batters per nine innings this season. But his numbers are better than Kendrick's (even though that really doesn't matter), he looked really crisp on Friday night, he has 22-plus years of experience behind him, he is owed $8 million this season, and he isn't suited to the bullpen role. There's not reason to expect that this won't end like last year's fifth starter battle -- with the veteran getting a first crack and the fifth spot in the rotation, and the kid heading to the bullpen as a long man.
So where does that leave us?
Kendrick is scheduled to start tomorrow against the Astros, and Moyer isn't scheduled to pitch again until Friday against the Pirates, when he is supposed to relieve Cole Hamels. But the Phillies do not have a starter listed for Thursday's game against the Pirates. It would make sense for the Phillies to decide on their starter today or tomorrow, have Moyer pitch on Thursday, which would leave him lined up to throw a simulated game on the April 6 off day, then start on April 11 against the Astros on normal rest.
Here is a look at the pitching rotation as it could set-up, assuming Moyer gets the job. This one would have Hamels starting the home opener, and would have Hamels and Halladay lined up to face division rivals Atlanta and the Mets, plus playoff contender San Francisco, in the first month of the season:
Today vs. Braves: J.A. Happ
Tuesday at Astros: Kyle Kendrick
Wednesday vs. Blue Jays: Halladay
Thursday vs. Pirates: (Jamie Moyer)
Friday vs. Pirates: Cole Hamels
Saturday vs. Pirates: Joe Blanton, J.A. Happ
Sunday OFF DAY: Nobody
April 5: Halladay (Normal rest)
April 6: OFF DAY: (Moyer sim game)
April 7: at Nationals: Hamels (Normal)
April 8: at Nationals: Blanton (Normal)
April 9: at Astros: Happ (5 days rest)
April 10: at Astros: Halladay (Normal)
April 11: at Astros: Moyer (Normal)
April 12: Home Opener vs. Nationals: Hamels (Normal)
April 13: OFF
April 14: vs. Nationals: Blanton (5 days)
April 15: vs. Nationals: Happ (5 days)
April 16: vs. Marlins: Halladay (5 days)
April 17: vs. Marlins: Hamels (4 days)
April 18: vs. Marlins: Moyer (6 days)
April 19: OFF
April 20: at ATL
April 21: at ATL
April 22: at ATL
April 23: at ARI
April 24: at ARI
April 25: at ARI
April 26: at SF
April 27: at SF
April 28: at SF
April 29: OFF
April 30: vs. NYM
^
Raul Ibanez, who was hit in the elbow with a pitch on Friday night, still isn't in the line-up.
^
The Phillies released a host of minor leaguers, the most notable of which are first baseman Brad Wilkerson and pitcher Joe Bisenius.
The rest: LHP Spencer Arroyo, RHP Freddy Ballestas, RHP Ryan Bergh, RHP Joe Bisenius, LHP Sean Grieve, RHP Rick Guttormson, RHP Jordan Meaker, RHP Todd Van Steensel, INF Jeremy Hamilton, OF Gus Milner, OF Arlon Quiroz and OF Brad Wilkerson.
Jamie starts and Kendrick is in the bullpen. If Jamie succeeds all is well if not, Kendrick becomes #5 guy.— Philadelphia Jerry
Moyer? A few years ago they went with overaged veteran Jon Lieber over some kid named Gavin Floyd. How did that work out for them?- Nice breakdown Murph. It makes alot of sense although I hate it because I have tickets Saturday the 17th and was figuring that would be Halladay's 1st home start. Now I'd get Moyer instead !— craig kendro
- Bisenius got released twice, eh? That had to really hurt. Nice work as always Murph. Happy to look here for good info.— Preserve Jon
Comment removed.- @Richie Allen - If memory serves correct, Jon Lieber outperformed Gavin Floyd by a smidgen. They gave Gavin plenty of chances, but he showed no composure.— chriszak
- Don't know how that gets us Hamels and Halliday against ATL, NYM, and SF. You would have to swap Hamels and Moyer on 4-17 and 4-18, I think. Am I wrong?— B in DC
Ya know what, good for Moyer. Just goes to show, you can "never underestimate the heart of a champion." If nothing else, it's nice to have your 5th starter pitching w/ a chip on a his shoulder. The more quality pitching, the better...man oh man, the countdown is on. Go Phillies!- B in DC - You're correct. Mind was working faster than fingers. Flip flop Hamels and Moyer, and Moyer gets starts against Marlins and Dbacks, two teams he performed well against last season. And Hamels/Halladay get the division rivals. And not only to Lieber out-perform Floyd, he pitched over 200 innings witha 4.20 ERA that season. Phils would definitely take that out of their fifth starter.
- Murph-- Wilkerson got released twice, too. But anyway, great job as always. Love your work! You've got a great future in this town.— everydayguy
- Yo, Richie - baseball is full of what ifs. You could sit here all day reminding every gm in the league of moves that didn't work out. Grow up. In your mistaken case, Gavin Floyd was given how many chances as a Phillie? Good for him that he's doing well in Chicago and let's leave it at that. Or do you want to bring up Freddie Garcia, too?— vafan
- I had an open mind during the camp 5th starter competition but was definitely rooting for the old man. I have tons of respect for Moyer and it kills me when so-called Phillies fans here blast him like he's on the Mets or something. I can understand voicing an opinion on something but to insult one of the players on "your" team? Just goes to show you that the opinions here are the vocal minority and do NOT represent most Phillies fans. Go Phils!— vafan
April 5 should list the venue: at Nationals. Also, this is a day game (1:05 start) so it won't conflict with the NCAA men's basketball championship that evening...whew!- If I had one bit of faith that Moyer could hang onto the No. 5 starter's spot I could rest easy. But when he starts getting knocked around and has a 5-something ERA in May, it will be a month wasted. I think it's a mistake to assume this team has a red carpet rolled out to another postseason berth, particularly when your No. 5 starter is a coinflip to allow 7 runs or 2. and you're starting the year with more questions than answers at closer. Not to be an eternal pessimist, but slow Aprils have come back to bite the Phillies for years
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