Manuel says rotation still TBA
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Manuel says rotation still TBA
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
A picturesque day here at Citizens Bank Park, where the Phillies are about to begin a seven-inning simulated game with Roy Oswalt and Joe Blanton on the mound.
The fact that Blanton is pitching the sim game, along with Charlie Manuel's comments earlier today, gives a pretty good indication that the Phillies are going to go with four starters against the Giants instead of pitching Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels on short rest.
"I think more than likely, my thinking right now is there is definitely a possibility we might use Joe," Manuel said. "I feel comfortable with Joe Blanton. But that's something we'll wait and see what happens."
Some other notes:
1) Manuel did not announce his Game 1 starter, though it will obviously be Halladay facing two-time defending NL Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum on Saturday. Beyond that, though, there is some question. You could make an argument that Cole Hamels should start Game 2 at Citizens Bank Park. Not because of Roy Oswalt's four-run, five-inning performance in the NLDS, but because of A) Hamels dominance in a five-hit shutout of the Reds in Game 3, B) Hamels track record at AT & T Park (At least 4 runs in all 4 career starts), even though that is a small sample size, and C) Oswalt's performance in his last three starts at AT & T Park (at least 7 IP and fewer than 4 runs), even though that is a small sample size as well. It would also allow the Phils to go righty-lefty-righty.
"We don't know yet," Manuel said. "We haven't had discussions yet. I'm sure that we will sit down. We've got a little time. We'll talk about what we want to do. We'll decide about our rotation, we'll decide about our roster, we'll decide about whatever we need to."
2) The Phillies will be off tomorrow. Thursday they will practice at 1 p.m. Friday they will workout as well, time TBA.
3) The Phillies carried only 10 pitchers in the NLDS, but there is a strong possibility they add another one for the seven-game NLCS.
"There's a possibility that we could definitely add a pitcher. That's something we'll definitely discuss. Have we made our minds up? Not at this point, no. We haven't had our meetings about what we are going to do with the Giants yet."
4) Safe to assume Halladay will be starting Game 1?
"You can assume whatever you want to assume," Manuel said. "I'm not trying to be cute or nothing. Big Roy is Big Roy."
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Buy: NLCS tickets, Phillies gear, front-page reprintsComments (60)
I just watched the Giants/Braves last game, and I am looking at Jonathan Sanchez putting two fingers under the left side of his belt then grasping the ball in his glove and throwing a pitch with a nasty break during the outing against the Braves. I wonder why the umpire on first base didn't notice this. The only time I didn't see him do this is when he pitched to Hudson the Braves pitcher who delivered the first hit of the game. CAN THIS SANCHEZ BE PUTTING A FOREIGN SUBSTANCE ON THE BALL. This is very subtle when pitching. I think someone needs to go over the last pitched game. I believe he cheats.— Joe Vegas- The Giants don't have to throw Zito in game 4. They could go with the kid that threw game 4 against Atlanta, Bumgarner. He's a lefty that I'm guessing the Phillies haven't seen. We all know they struggle against guys they haven't seen before and hitting lefties isn't their strongsuit. Wouldn't the Giants want to keep them guessing? I'm curious to see how Charlie sets everything up.— kmon
- I like Hamels for Game 2. But there is something to be said for waiting till Game 3. That would make him the Game 7 starter at home if such a game is needed. And he's been money since the All Star break.— Muckrakers
- Right. I see stupid people, too. They're walking around like regular people. They don't even know they're stupid.— ejc527
- Dobbs should make the roster, just for insurance purposes. He also has experience. Brown should sit the rest of the playoffs. No need for him to be in the roster. It would be Baez or KK for the last spot. Charlie may go with Baez because he's a reliever and there won't be a need for a long man with the 3-headed monster at the top of the rotation.— EL Zorro
- It's obviously clear Depressed is Cliff Lee's wife.— EL Zorro
- Forget about Blanton the Phils better start hitting— frank martino
The Rangers, and Giants will play in the World Series. The Yankees, and Phillies, can have a hype contest.— road515-
- Here is an applicable take-off of a movie quote: "I see stupid people"— road515
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
- Comment removed.
- really why?
cuz Lee just show that he own you and amaro both?
LOL!!!! man love!!! oh hey, I much rather have roy o.
Lee = DOMINATION!!!! amaro and u amaro defenderz are a JOKE!!!
- @Depressed - Dude..... shut up.— Guy55555
- oh come on, all u philly freaks!
who get all upset if I even mention the man's name.
LEE LEE LEE LEE LEE!!!!
oh its man love!
oh get over it!
amaro is the greatest!!!
roy o is so much better!!!!
LOL!!! LOL!! LOL!!!
simple and silly people of philly!!!!!!
LEE will OWN you too!
its just a matter of time.
but hey, u keep drinkin that amaro kool aid.
god bless u!!
=)
- Lee know he was disrespected by amaro.
now he goin for the man's job.
he want pay back. he want revenge. and he gonna get it.
Lee gonna take down the phils and their gm.
Lee is a STUD!!!!!
- roy o not gonna no hit the g men in game 3!
LOL!!!
come on, all u lee haterz and amaro lovers, bring it!!!
come on, LEE LEE LEE LEE LEE!!!!!!!!!
silly and stupid people of philly!!!!!!!
who hooo!!!!!!
we got oswalt now!!!!!!!!
party time!!!!!!
LEE LEE LEE LEE LEE LEE LEE!!!!!!!!!
man love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
nope. cant and wont get over it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- The Giants started Bumgarner in game 4. He's a rookie left-hander who's quite good. 111 IP with an ERA of 3.00. He's likely to pitch game 4. Lincecum has never started a MLB game with less than 4 days rest.— judas_priest
- If Oswalt no-hits the Giants in Game 3, the Cliff Lee deal will not look so bad.— Gnip Gnop
- I thought the whole point of acquiring Halladay was because he could pitch three times in a seven game series.— Gnip Gnop
I agree with theeman, the safe bet would go with a 3 man rotation, cause ya gotta figure the Giants most likely will (Zito was left off the NLDS roster). If the Phils go with a 4 man rotation, then Blanton will match up with Lincecum in SF (I like Fat Joe, but...yikes). Plus, I know strange things happen, but I don't think there's a snowball's chance in heck that this series will go 7 if H20 each pitch 2 games in this series...and if by chance it does go 7, you have Doc on the mound with Cole waiting in the BP...Conclusion, go with the 3 man rotation with Cole pitching Gm 2. GO PHILLIES!!!!
- Doc, Lee, Hamels, Happ = WS title.
Doc, Oswalt, Hamels, Blanton = no WS title.
Want to blame someone?
its amaro.
=)
- terrible idea. if we want to win we go with the 3 man rotation like the yanks did last year.— theeman
- If Blanton gives up 3 runs/ 5 innings he would have an ERA of 5.40 Also the current playoff homefield advantage for a 7 game series is not what used to be years ago when it was 2 home 2 away then Home, Away, Home. The Phils will use 4 starters because they actually have that many this year. Last year beside Lee who did they have? Hamels was foundering Moyer was hurt, Blanton and Kendrick went to the Pen. We are in a whole lot better shape this yr for starters. Last yr beside Moyer, Dobbs and Ibanez needed surgery in the off season. We had no one from the left handers side of the plate then. We do now. Why even bother to bring Brown up a month before the Sept 1st deadline if you aren't going to use him in the playoffs. I guess it was to make the fans happy right?— Wally 24
- EXACTLY!!
thought the phils offense was bad in the first series? LOL!
just wait til they face timmy l and the boys.
gonna be shut down city.
Frisco in five or six.
- The Phils offense will go limp in SF and they will whine and cry about the fences being too far just like the...the...the well the Giant's but they're used to it.— MRTbagger
- Attention New York, Philadelphia...here comes the Clifton Phifer Express!— dasher
- Cliff Lee = DOMINATION
Come on, all you lee haterz and amaro defenderz. bring it! all you simple and silly people. this is shaping up to be amaros WORST NIGHTMARE. For if lee and rangers win the ws, it will become known as THE WORST TRADE in the history of phila sports! At that point, I will expect nothing less than the resignation of amaro. For only he could even imagine trading such a brilliant talent for 3 b-level prospects at best! hopefully for you, oswalt dont have another 5 inning FLOP!
lee > oswalt
lee + happ >> oswalt
- You have to figure that it will be Blanton versus Zito in Game 4, and you would have to give BigJoe the edge. Doc would pitch Game 5 in SanFran and that would leave Oswalt and hamels to pitch back in Philly if necessary. Even if Doc pitched in Game 5 he would still be able to pitch on regular rest for Game 1 of the WS.— Philalawyer
- Go with Carleton, Krukow and Martinez— ErinRowhand
- H2O - ride the wave to a phillies' championship! Saturday can't get here soon enough. get your "H2O" gear at www.h2ophillies.com.— PhillyH2O
- just get joe off the mound by the end of the 6th or else. and is it just me or playing 3 of the first 5 games in SF not exactly home field advantage?— Rando
- @TBear ... Lincecum has made 7 career starts against the Phils ... he's 2-1 with a 3.17 ERA. Blanton has made 3 career starts at AT&T ... he's 0-1 with a 3.57 ERA
— GoPhilsGo - Blanton will give up his customary three runs in five innings, so as long as our offense is rolling it's worth giving H2O regular days rest. Baez should never see the field again in a Phillies uniform. Period.— Apache9
- I like Halladay in game 1 and what could be a pivotal game 5. Then 2 chances to close it out with Oswalt and Hamels. Halladay ready again for the World Series with a chance to pitch 3 games if needed.— Rick Wise Guy
- forgot doc will be good to go in game 4 if needed
- does brett favre like to throw da pick six?? just because the yanks won last yr doesn't mean the 3-man rotation idea in a best of seven series is a good one. see aj to start in game 4 in alcs. if the phils beat the giants in 5 or less roy will have plenty of rest to pitch in games 1,4,7 vs the al winner if needed. durbin stays..
- I think it depends entirely on how things are going at that point.— walcraeb
- TJJ1000 - MAKE SURE YOU COME BACK IN HERE AFTER THE PHILLIES BEAT THE STUFFING OUT OF YOUR GIANTS! We'd love to hear what you have to say then....— 5NOT4
- Chad Durbin DEFINITELY will be on the roster. Period.— 5NOT4
- What is all the leave Durbin off the roster post's. When this pen was falling apart after Madson went down who held it together? Who made that great pick off play that stopped any rally after we just scored?— pattymac3
- Lincecum is the real thing, same as Doc. I expect a 2-1 game.....but I don't know WHO will get the 2!I remember the kid's first start in the Bigs was against us at his place couple years ago. We pinned a loss on him, but the kid pitched GOOD. Only gone against us, what, one more time since (anybody remember?) then? He's gonna make us look like a bunch of stiffs, but Doc can quiet HIS guys down too. Gonna be a VERY interesting game of chicken!— TBear
- What's this short rest B.S. today's Tuesday (off) Wednesday (off) Thursday (off) Friday (off) my math say's that's four days off until the start of the NLCS. These guys are getting paid buku bucks to do their job. Stay with Doc, Oswalt and Hamels. And oh yeah, Charlie, keep Baez off the roster. GO PHILS— thomasg
- Phils have to hit. SF does not present much offense but their top 3 pitchers are solid. This team has been on a home run drought where they consistently hit one or two every game. Howard, Werth, Ibanez and even Utley (he did get one) have had a serious power shortage. They should be able to manufacturer some runs via SF and win games that are low scoring.......they will have to have the offense in the World Series.....so the NLCS is the place to start and heat up.— donaldp
Hey Succubus, did you bother to look up the meaning of that word before you chose it as your screen name? A succubus is a female demon who takes the form of a human woman in order to seduce men, usually through sexual intercourse. I can tell from you comments that you're a white male, so I guess that makes you a member of the LGBT group!!!- If the Phils are up 2-1 or 3-0, then Blanton should pitch game 4. If reversed, then go with Doc. Wally, you obviously didn't see Game 2 where Romero shut down 2 tough lefties. Listen, yes, the Phils bullpen is the weakness, but Madson and Lidge have been stellar as of late and the other guys know how and what it takes to pitch in the post-season, which is something the Giants bullpen doesn't have.— ESFjellin
- Leave Durbin off the roster? Did I miss something? Durbin had a rough patch at the end but was terrific all season before that. It'll be Baez or Kendrick in place of Brown.— vafan
- The rotation depends on who Charlie wants to pitch a possible game 7. I would bet he'd want Hamels, thus I would expect the rotation to be H-O-H-B-H-O-H— JPMaine
- Good one, TJJ1000. Now one of us Phillies fans can troll the Giants forum and post similarly. You like how this works, you tool?— fizzbin
- Sorry Paul but Durbin hasn't pitched well since the 08 season & combine that with Romero's & Herndon's lack of consistancy and you have big problems. Our only weakness is the Pen and the problems are taking up roster space. Once it is set can't be substituted for unless there is an injury to a pitcher. Dobbs also has been pitiful for the last 2 seasons and again is taking up space for someone else who can put the ball in play. Wilson Valdez gives them everything they need in the infield. Over the last 4 yrs Manuel has elected to go with the minimum in the field and extra pitching. That makes sense when you match up the Giants with us. Their rotation is nothing to be taken lightly. ALSO Blanton and Kendrick both keep the ball down which is something we need at home and away.— Wally 24
Series is over in 5 no matter what order they pitch!— Justicek- It doesn't really matter what order they pitch in, the Giants will finish them off in 6 games.— TJJ1000
There is absolutely no chance that Herndon is on the roster. Durbin is a solid veteran who has pitched very well in the playoffs before. He will, and should be on the roster. He can matchup or give them a couple innings when that is called for. Because that is true, Kendrick is no sure thing. Dobbs has to make it since the iffy starters are both infielders. I would leave Brown off and use Gload in the outfield in an emergency. I would also take a third catcher, because to be without a catcher would be the worst thing that could potentially happen.- Hack Hagen is reporting in his latest negative column that the Phils' hitters looked woeful batting against Blanton and Charlie is concerned about the ""rusty way'' they are swinging the bats. Hack Hayes, picking up on Hagen's negativism, reporting that Utley has a ingrown toenail that may keep him out of the game.— TheSage
- Cole pitches in California. Its that simple - he loves it out there. Then Fat Joe pitches with 3-0 series lead. It so easy, its boring...— Succubus
- Blanton is a shoe in and I'd be suprised if Kendrick isn't added also. Someone off the bench will have to go and I'm betting it's Dobbs. Valdez has to stay because Rollins and Polanco are both playing hurt. If Brown stays you still have someone from the left side of the plate. It's going to be a tough series but I think the 4 starters mentioned will take care of business. Just pray Durbin, and Hearndon are not used.— Wally 24
- I'd lean toward starting Hamels in game 2. Murph - it would be interesting to see the 4 starters' numbers against SF with home/away numbers. Lincecum has only pitched at CBP a few times but he's never won here according to something I read last night.— s
- alright Phils - LETS F*CKIN GO BOYS!!!!!!!!!!!!— drumminge6
- What are Blanton's numbers at SF?— P Even
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