Game postponed again: could Hamels pitch Game 7?
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Game postponed again: could Hamels pitch Game 7?
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Just received the official word: Game 5 has been postponed again.
The tentative plan is to play the final three-and-a-half innings Wednesday night starting at 8:37 p.m. Acccording to Weather.com, there is a 30 percent chance of rain with rain and snow showers likely occuring in the morning. The high temperature is supposed to be 48 degrees. So it looks good that the Phillies and Rays will play a cold, abbreviated Game 5 tomorrow night.
Here is another interesting sub-plot:
Now, there is a possibility that Cole Hamels could be available to pitch Game 7. All it would take is Major League Baseball keeping an open travel day instead of playing Games 5, 6 and 7 consecutively. If that happens, Hamels would get four days rest before Game 7, putting him in line to start the game if it happens.
This would be the scenario:
Monday - Hamels pitches six innings in the first half of Game 5
Tuesday - Off (Rainout)
Wendesday - Off (End of Game 5)
Thursday - Off (Travel to Tampa Bay)
Friday - Off (Game 6)
Saturday - Game 7 on normal rest.
But it remains to be seen what Major League Baseball is going to do about travel between Philly and Tampa. Everyone knows how much this depends on TV, and Friday and Saturday nights aren't great television nights, so I imagine Fox would rather play Game 6 on Thursday and Game 7 on Friday if necessary. But that would also force both teams to pull a potentially late night. Let's say Game 5 goes extra innings and lasts another two hours. The game would end at 10:37 p.m. By the time all was said and done, they probably wouldn't leave on their flights until 1 a.m. at the earliest. That would put them in Tampa at 3 a.m. and in St. Petersburg and checked into their hotel no earlier than 4 a.m. They would then play an important baseball game 16 hours later.
Regardless, the Phillies will now definitely have both Jamie Moyer and Joe Blanton available for Game 7.
PLAY GAME 5 ON THURSDAY WHEN THE FORECAST SAYS CLEAR AND 0% CHANCE OF RAIN!!— TripleOption- We win game 5 and thats it. WTF a pitcher can't pitch on 3 days rest. They used to do it in the old days. What a powder puff league. Tell all us working stiffs out there how sore your arm is. Swing a hammer 10 hours a day and try to tell the boss you need 3 days rest after everyday you work.......— phillybruce
- I have just finished watching Baseball tonight, and caught my main man, Mitch Williams on Sportsnite breaking down strategy on the remainder of game 5. I agree that it makes no sense for the Phillies to play tomorrow's 3.5 inning (minimum) game like it's game 7..we have a 2 game lead, and hate to say this, can afford, and in fact need to play with the contingency of having to play game 6. Also, game 5 now has extra innings written all over it, and the managers need to manage their bullpens and subs for such an eventuality. Also, Phils at top of order (after pinch hitting for Cole) and Rays at bottom of order, which probably means Rays can't throw Price at us in the bottom of 6th. Strategically, this will be one of the most interesting "games" we will ever get to watch. I agree with Wild Thing that Charlie should go with what they have done to get to this point, and also rely upon his gut about hitting match-ups. When you realize how many complicated decisions both managers need to make, it makes sense to just simplify the game, esp. for the Phillies and play this like it really is a continuation of Monday night's game....both managers will be well advised not to over manage this situation...but the pressure and tendency to do so is much more on the Rays who truly are in do or die land. Philly fans can take comfort in the fact that we only need to win one game.— bigredmachinefan
- yes...how 'bout they just win game 5. but the commish just said that the doesn't think there would be a travel day anyway....but if there is a 7...hamels needs to suck it up and pitch on 3 days rest....he has all winter to rest after.
- Really! WTF?? Game 7!! F--- game 7! I'm with longtime fan3— johnygopeel
- Charley should just play it straight up and let everyone know: Madson in the 7th, Romero in the 8th, Lidge in the 9th, and count on scoring at least 1 run. Then for each of those pitchers, its just one inning to lock down a championship.— jtj06
