Dubee: You can't ignore Moyer's track record
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Dubee: You can't ignore Moyer's track record
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Greetings from the land of Mickey and Goofy where the Phillies will play a rare road night game in spring training. The opponent is the Atlanta Braves, who train here in the shadow of Disney World.
Roy Halladay will make his second start of the spring tonight and he will throw about 50 pitches, Rich Dubee said. A few of my Twitter followers joked that'll be a complete game. Well played.
Dubee touched on a few other topics. The most interesting was this: Based on his track record, Jamie Moyer is the favorite for the fifth starter's job.
Like everyone, Dubee said he has been impressed with the way Kyle Kendrick has come to camp and handled himself. He has thrown five scoreless innings this spring and has yet to walk a batter.
But Dubee said the winner wouldn't necessarily be based on the best man this spring.
"No, I don't think so," Dubee said. "I think Jamie comes in with a big track record. You can't just go away from that. What did he win last year? Twelve? Sixteen the year before. He has a tremendously long track record of being a winning pitcher, even when he turned 40."
Dubee said part of the reason why Moyer has pitched in just "B" games was because the staff wanted him in a less strenuous environment to start the spring. Moyer will make his second start in a "B" game on Wednesday against Toronto.
Moyer's next start will likely be in a Grapefruit League game.
"I like to see Kyle in the regular games," Dubee said. "He's the guy who has to win the job. Really, in my mind, he has to win the job."
ROMERO, LIDGE UPDATES
Dubee said at this point, J.C. Romero likely will not be ready for opening day.
"I haven't ruled it out," Dubee said. "But I think it's a long shot, which we anticipated."
Romero threw another bullpen session earlier today but still hasn't moved beyond throwing just fastballs. He also must take two days off in between each bullpen session.
Closer Brad Lidge will face hitters for the first time this spring on Wednesday during a live batting practice situation. Lidge is ahead of Romero, Dubee said.
"I think he's still on the radar screen [for opening day], that's for sure," Dubee said. "But you don't put certainties or timetables on rehab guys."
THE LINEUP
And yes, there is a game tonight. Shane Victorino is here and will play in his first Grapefruit League game. Manager Charlie Manuel said he has no worries about Victorino being able to catch up. He missed the first six exhibition games.
Also, the game is being televised on MLB Network.
1. Jimmy Rollins 6
2. Shane Victorino 8
3. Greg Dobbs 5
4. Ryan Howard 3
5. Jayson Werth 9
6. Ben Francisco 7
7. Brian Schneider 2
8. Brian Bocock 4
9. Roy Halladay 1
Dubee makes a lot of sense on this one. Jamie has been around so long he knows how to pitch, better to rest him for the season. How many other teams have a #5 pitch who won twelve games last year? But if Kyle pitches lights out, it would make sense to slot him in the 5 hole while he's on a roll. Damn, I love baseball.— flyerdup
Comment removed.- I see a lot of this Bocock guy. Maybe they will let him compete for the Bruntlett position instead of just giving it to the guy from the Dodgers, I think Castro is his name.— ronin32
- I dont care. He is too old. Give chance to the younger guys.— z03mbm
- Track record... You mean 1 All-Star nod in 23 seasons? It's all smoke and mirrors. DoubleK has this job on lock, or at least he will when Jamie advances to the "A" teams and starts serving up beach balls
- Joe Blanton is the No. 5 starter. Here's what I see: Halladay, Hamels, Happ, Kendrick, Blanton. Check out Blanton's stats. Then ask yourself: The Red Sox have JOHN LACKEY at No. 3. We have Joe Blanton? Mr. Beer Holder, 12-8 with an ERA around 4? No.— eman
- The reason Moyer was starting B games was to see if he could get outs against lesser hitters. He'll start the year as the 5th starter and KK will be the long man. If Moyer stumbles then KK moves into the 5th spot.— thorshuffle
- Comment removed.
- @eman - If you watched the whole season last year, you'd kno that Joe was the most solid pitcher on our staff for nearly the whole summer. He started off poor. He was also undefeated in the playoffs the year before and hit a HR in the World Series...I'm not sayin' he's better than John Lackey, but he's better than what you're givin him credit for. And I agree with this right now...Moyer unless Kendrick takes it away. This way, Moyer gets a fair go in the early part of the yr... I have a feeling tho Kendrick will work his way into the rotation before the end of the year if he is pitching as well as everyone's hypin him to be. NOW...if this were the Eagles...LMAO..MOyer would've BEEN cut wit no salary 18 years ago!— danlands
- Moyer gets the nod because of his "track" record: what Dubee means is "track" the money. $8 million!! Kendrick has no shot.— chuckw
- For old pitchers, like boxers, the only record that counts is the recent record.— Delaware Jim
