Phillies set postseason roster
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Phillies set postseason roster
Daily News staff
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.
Nutburgers - (interesting name, by the way) - Kendrick really pitched well in September. Walker kind of fell apart, and Condrey's injury is on again, off again. For the middle innings guy, why not take the hot hand. I've been a big Kendrick detractor, but he really looks sharp now that he's actually had the time in AAA he was deprived of due to Adam Eaton being so bad at pitching a baseball.— B in DC- why second guess the Phils management here? They've only shown poise, patience and presence of mind in handling a talented squad who is trying to complete the Herculean task of defending and repeating as World Champions. To paraphrase Bruce Wayne, "I believe in Charlie Manuel, and I believe in The Phillies."— mebphila
- Now Murph changes his story - Kendrick or no Kendrick? Could it be Escalona still?— B in DC
- Happ has pitched the best of any Phillies starter down the stretch and should start.— 76er
- My only concern is wether or not my son gets a baseball at batting practice tomorrow. Phillies sweep. Not even close folks.— Skena
- I have been screaming for Cairo over Bruntlett for 3 months at least they finally did it when it really matters.— bsaw
- Eric Bruntlett served his role well this season despite his terrible BA. A guy that can give any member of the infield a day off is much more valuable then people realize, but not necessary during the post season. It also helps that Pedro-Jimmy-Chase-Ryan have all played great defense all season...— Conshy04
- Game 2 is just as important as Game 1...just pitch a gem and win the games!— TempleKev
- Guess my comment wasnt used J A Happ should get the start why didnt Manuel use all the starters on Fan Appreciation Day and because of that Howard tied Fielder for RBI king Howard might have been able to catch Pujois too in homers how sad still its nice to see the club be a winner— Louis
- it would have been crazy to pitch Hamels on 3 days rest when you had Lee available... glad charlie had t\he nerve to put on cario instead of bruntlett... howard eskin was making fun of the caller who was suggesting bastardo on the roster, but it made sense to me...glad when howard looks like an idiot— jim715
Comment removed.- BigRy, you hit the nail on the head brother!— mattk
- beating nasty ubaldo in game 1 is the key...if they lose game 1, i predict rockies in 4...part of that is because i have tickets for game 5..i want the phillies to win, but the rockies are the hot team and the phils bullpen situation just seems like too much to overcome...logically, i have to go with the rockies...— jim715
- Comment removed.
- A little surprised that Kendrick beats out Condrey and Walker, but I guess Charlie likes a good story, and Kendrick certainly will be that if he is successful in the playoffs and they win. As for Cairo, that seems just a matter of going with the hot hand. Bastardo's inclusion suggests that they're seriously considering Happ for Game 3, given the Rockies well-documented troubles hitting lefties.— jmk1512
