The Mother of All Press Releases? Martinez, Moyer and more
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The Mother of All Press Releases? Martinez, Moyer and more
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Well, the press release that just landed in my inbox doesn't lack for fodder. We'll cover the nuts and bolts first, then deal with some analysis. Pedro Martinez will make his Phillies debut on Wednesday at Wrigley Field. To make room for him in the rotation, the club has informed veteran lefthander Jamie Moyer that he will be pitching out of the bullpen for the forseeable future. Also, J.A. Happ will pitch tomorrow night on his normal turn in the rotation, bumping Cliff Lee back until Thursday. Lee could have started on normal rest tomorrow. Instead, he'll start on six days rest on Thursday. That leaves Joe Blanton pitching Friday against the Braves, although the press release did not specifically say that, and Cole Hamels pitching Saturday on an extra day's rest.
Oh, and by the way, Chad Durbin was activated from the disabled list, while Rodrigo Lopez was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Now. . .some thoughts.
1) It looks to me like the Phillies went with the schedule that would keep all of their pitchers closest to their normal turn in the rotation. Happ will be pitching on five days rest, Martinez on six days rest, Lee on six days rest, Blanton on five days rest, and Hamels on five days rest.
2) Moyer to the bullpen is an interesting move. The Phillies have said all along that they don't view Moyer as a reliever. But just because he is in the "bullpen" doesn't mean he will be utilized as a normal reliever. Hey, there's a good chance they tell him to prepare as if he were starting every five days, making him available each time Martinez pitches. Who knows.
3) My initial reaction was curious, seeing as though the Phils bumped Lee back to Thursday. But now that I look at the schedule, it makes sense. By pitching him on Thursday, he won't be available this weekend in Atlanta for a big series against the Braves, but he will get to face them at Citizens Bank Park at the end of August. Had he pitched Tuesday, Lee would have missed that second series against the Braves. So Lee gets the same number of starts, faces the Braves the same number of times, and nobody in the rotation has an extended layoff.
4) How does the rest of the month set-up?
- Tues - at CHC - J.A. Happ
- Wed - at CHC - Pedro Martinez
- Thur - at CHC - Cliff Lee
- Fri - at ATL - Joe Blanton
- Sat - at ATL - Cole Hamels
- Sun - at ATL - J.A. Happ
- Mon - OFF - None
- Tue - ARI - Pedro Martinez
- 8/19 - ARI - Cliff Lee
- 8/20 - ARI - Joe Blanton
- 8/21 - at NYM - Cole Hamels
- 8/22 - at NYM - J.A. Happ
- 8/23 - at NYM - Pedro Martinez
- 8/24 - at NYM - Cliff Lee
- 8/25 - at PIT - Joe Blanton
- 8/26 - at PIT - Cole Hamels
- 8/27 - at PIT - J.A. Happ
- 8/28 - ATL - Pedro Martinez
- 8/29 - ATL - Cliff Lee
- 8/30 - ATL - Joe Blanton
- 8/31 - OFF -
8/23 Pedro vs the "Muts" can't wait for that game!— usonis- Jamie Moyer received a nice ovation at the ballpark yesterday when he left the game despite a mediocre pitching performance. Moyer has been a class act and I was glad to see the crowd show him proper respect. That said, the Phils are in a pennant-race and winning games trumps senior honors. Bring on Pedro.— smel4727
- Rich Dubee is the worst pitching coach in baseball. Since the Cliff Lee trade last Thursday, Cliff Lee is 2-0 and the other Dubee dreck starters that he contaminated are 1-8. FIRE RICH DUBEE NOW! Replace him with Leo Mazzone for the strecth run for a wake up call! FIRE RICH DUBEE NOW!— Dr. Michael
- Agreed, smel— JimG
- nice Lee on lidge bobble head night; could he pitch a complete game and leave Lidge off the field?— freddymc13
- nice - no lidge on bobble head night; lee pitches CGS— freddymc13
Comment removed.- Yeah he wins the WS last year and now he's the worst coach ever. You are a genius.— cdedrick05
- Lidge bobble heads should come complete with a built to scale tape measure for assessing the long home runs he gives up. Maybe an optional Albert Pujols complimentary bobble head as well.— maximusud
- A shouted out thanks to Moyer, you're still here Jamie keep it light. I certainly hope Pedro does well but by what we've seen so far I don't see it happening, c'mon Martinez, prove me wrong, please!!!— DJ
This also gives the best break between left and right handed pitchers. Only back to back lefties are Hamels/Happ.- What is the hurry to start Pedro? Should have given him one more start in the minors and then added him to the rotation in Moyers spot.— abspe
- Jamie will be back in the rotation---either mid-Aug, Sept or next April. In the meantime, might I suggest the Phils use Moyer instead of Eric Bruntlett in the 25th man, jack-of-all-trades role. Sure, he's left-handed and a pitcher by trade. But he has a higher on-base percentage than Bruntlett (.263 vs. .200).— hankOceann
- I'm pumped.. You hold you breath evey time Jamie takes the mound. Let's see if we can catch a lighting in the bottle with Pedro.. None of us can feel to bad for Moyer he collects the rest of this year's 7 million with next year's 7 coming. Be a good soldier help the staff with your support...— ejw2381
- Comment removed.
