A rotation shuffle
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A rotation shuffle
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
In a clear sign the Phillies are at least mildly concerned about Roy Halladay's workload, they have bumped their ace back a day during the next turn through the rotation. It also shows they have an eye toward resting as many regulars as possible should the team clinch early.
Kyle Kendrick, who was originally scheduled to start Monday, will now take his normal turn in the rotation on Saturday. That pushes Halladay from Sunday to Monday.
Halladay was scheduled to receive an extra day of rest in between his last two starts. The Phillies decided it was best to give him the extra day now.
This means, if the rotation stays on schedule, Kendrick, Cole Hamels and Halladay would start the final three games of the season in Atlanta. Then again, those games may not matter.
If that's the case, Hamels and Halladay could make abbreviated starts just to get some work in before the postseason begins.
Halladay leads the majors in innings pitched with 241 2/3. He is on pace to throw more than he has since 2003, when he pitched 266 innings. And combined with the playoffs, it's very possible Halladay eclipses that mark.
"They've logged some mileage, there's no question about that, especially with Halladay," Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "I'm just hoping we clinch. We'll take it from there."
If the Phillies do clinch the National League East, there remains the other plateau of best record in the league. And don't think that is meaningless. This season, the team with the best record in the NL will have choice of having an extra day off during the division series.
"That makes a whole lot of difference," Charlie Manuel said.
But it sounds as if the Phillies would be willing to go for the best record with some reserves on the field. Entering Wednesday, the Phillies had five more wins than the next best teams -- Atlanta and Cincinnati.
"Home-field advantage is significant," Amaro said. "But again, we have to be cognizant of the workload these guys have had. We'll see how things go."
The Phils should have kept Cliff Lee. He'd have won 39 games and fixed the Eagles O-line, too. And the fact that the Phils are only five games up while heading toward their fourth straight NL title proves that Amaro is useless.
— DiTurno- Can you imagine a rotation that included Cliff Lee AND Vance Worley? They must be kicking themselves.— jamesiri
- Agree 100% Diturno. Also, national unemployment numbers would be much better if Lee were still a Phillie.— PhillyTru
- Haha..I have to admit I was wrong about RAJ re: Oswalt. He's my favorite Phillie ever since his escapade in left field— micconway
- Cliff Lee also would have cured AIDS and made puppies live forever.— Philly Fan in Kuwait
- "The Phils should have kept Cliff Lee. He'd have won 39 games and fixed the Eagles O-line, too. And the fact that the Phils are only five games up while heading toward their fourth straight NL title proves that Amaro is useless." ...LOL, that is awesome!— erbower
Comment removed.- DiTurno...really?— RhondaBillings
- They have to get Oswalt to 200 strikeouts;No team may ever again have this opportunity to have three pitchers under 3ERA with the necessary K's.— bigeastbeast
- I would rather have Lee and Happ than Ozzy and Aumont, or whatever his name is.— P Even
- DiTurno, one of the better posts I've read all season! Personally, I think the Flyer's could have stopped their search for a goalie too, if only the Phil's had kept Cliff Lee.— high alpine
- Cliff may have cured AIDS, but not sure he can make puppies live forever with QB 1 across the street...— PhilsFan12345
- Cliff Lee would have negotiated peace between Isreal and Palestine if only Amaro hadnt traded him.— chuckfusina
- Who's Cliff Lee?— andrewfrombrooklyn
- DiTurno, for thee my airguitar gently weeps— nyphilsphan
