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.
Don't go anywhere Murph - enjoy your work... Pretty funny, last year we worried about the starters and this year we should be worried about the bullpen... I'll keep my finners and toesies Xd...— ratherlistenontheradio- Halladay would have to pitch on Weds this week to get normal rest of 4 days. If he starts Thursday he would only get 3 days rest. Are you sure you have it right Murph?— byrnsey
- Jamie Moyer is going to win us 10+ games this year. He knows this team gives him the ability to give up 4-5 runs a game and still have a chance win. He'll throw a dud in there every now and then, but the guy a winner who knows how to win. At 46 years old, he also knows how to pitch. Kile will have his day, but I have a feeling Jamie might win us 14-16 again this year, he's healthy, and like another person said he has a chip on his shoulder. Look out!— All4phillyteams4life
Works for me... this is a solid team and barring unforeseen injuries, should have a solid year... Jamie, KK, whatever pitching 5th... T-minus one week until we can stop guessing and start enjoying.— Ump Al- Hey Murph, did Stairs manage to hang on with Oakand (?) or whichever team signed him last winter ?— mick314
- @Richie Allen, they won the world series two years later, that's how it turned out— efrye13
- Why would the Phillies allow the best starter in all of Baseball to skip any start even for one day and even in April? Halladay should start on the 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th, etc., without exception and continue that for the whole season, irrespective of who might be Starter #2 and beyond. If any of Halladay's starts get rained out, then throw him the very next day, no matter how that might influence the sequence of the other starters. After all Roy is head and shoulders above any of the Phillies' other starters and he is in the prime of his career and has been working very hard since January. There's no need to rest him in April or anytime. He would certainly endorse a strict every-fifth-day routine. If he's vulnerable to any arm weariness, then take him out in the sixth innings in blowouts. Anyway, I'm counting on him starting in Arizona on April 25. Actually the Phillies don't need to decide on Starter #5 until the Diamondbacks' series anyway, unless Hamels or Happ or Blanton falter. But even then, don't interfere with Roy's routine. Roy will probably get more rest than he wants anyway because of the usual April weather in the Norteast, but if the weather stays okay, Charlie should let him get six full starts in April.— kkeating43
- Regarding the question about when did the Phillies have this strong a rotation, with all due respect, what strong ROTATION are we talking about here? Hallady is obviously one of, if not the best starter in the major leagues. Beyond that who knows? Hamels was superb in 2008 and not so good last year, so who knows what you will get from him this year. Blanton is an innings eating, but nothing special #3. Happ was fantastic last year, but I for one would like to see him reduplicate that success this year. #5, Jaimee Moyer-give me a break.— bvillebaron
What wrong with using Moyer and KK? Moyer, at his age certainly can use an extra day off or even better, alternate starts with KK. KK gets work, Moyer gets rest.— tpizza- What happens when Lidge and JC return from the DL? If the Phils keep Rule-5er Herndon, Kendrick will have to optioned down to Reading or Lehigh Valley, so he'll be getting regular starts in case of a Moyer meltdown.— southpaw57
Comment removed.- Richie Allen, are you trying to equate John Lieber with Jamie Moyer? Forget it! Moyer has a much better track record, and Lieber was an overweight malcontent. (Plus, Floyd was a bust during his time in the Phillies organization.)— jman
- You gotta love where the Phillies rotation is at right now. I like Moyer as the #5 for now. Kendrick will get his chance this year. Somebody will get hurt eventually (or Moyer will fall apart) and Kendrick will be a great guy to have ready to fill in when needed.— FaithInMcNabb
- Comment removed.
