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Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Happ to start tomorrow
J.A. Happ during the Phillies / Marlins game on Sept. 9. (Ron Cortes/Inquirer)

Phillies lefthander J.A. Happ will start tomorrow night against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field.

Happ hasn't started since Aug. 26 with triple-A Lehigh Valley and hasn't pitched in a game since Sept. 9, but the Phillies considered him a better option than righthander Kyle Kendrick. It sounds like Adam Eaton wasn't part of the discussions, which probably shouldn't be a surprise considering how he pitched earlier this season for the Phillies and in the minor leagues.

"Probably Kyle's struggles," pitching coach Rich Dubee said, when asked what pushed Happ to the top. "They really haven't seen Happ. He's lefthanded. We thought it was just a little better match up."

The Phillies also need a fifth starter next Monday against the Braves at Citizens Bank Park. Dubee said Monday's starter hasn't been decided, but I'm guessing if Happ pitches well he would start Monday. Happ said he is looking forward to the opportunity of pitching in a big game in a big part of the season.

"It's definitely exciting," Happ said. "I'm sure it's not their first choice. It just kind of happened because of the doubleheader. They needed somebody."

But they chose Happ because they feel he gives them the best chance to win.

We'll find out tomorrow night.

Posted by Todd Zolecki @ 4:38 PM  Permalink | 41 comments
41
Comments   
Posted 04:52 PM, 09/16/2008
zdog
thank goodness. if kendrick cant handle the heat, its time to get out of the rotation.
Posted 05:15 PM, 09/16/2008
bobby
While Happ is young and unproven, I like this option better than going with Kendrick, who is young and proven, as in "ineffective." His confidence is shattered right now. Hopefully, Happ can start fresh and keep the Phils close. I'd say he has a 4-run leash, and that's over 5-6 innings. Barring a complete meltdown, you have to stay with him til then and count on your offense to come through.
Posted 05:20 PM, 09/16/2008
jimmymack
We want Eaton, we want Eaton....Jerry Manual.
Posted 05:42 PM, 09/16/2008
jeff gross
so much for all our earlier guesses. I hope Happ is up to it, but I also hope they keep someone warm in teh Pen just in case.
Posted 05:55 PM, 09/16/2008
Frank Lloyd Wrong
Start printing those Happ Jerseys, if he performs.
Posted 06:12 PM, 09/16/2008
wcgiles
I don't know why they keep overlooking that kid at Reading with a great arm - Jm. J. Bullock.
Posted 06:16 PM, 09/16/2008
phillyfunk
Right now I'd take my 81 year old momma over Kendrick in the rotation! Keep Eaton and Kendrick in the bullpen for blow-out victories or losses. When the Phillies win the East, Charlie should keep a three man rotation of Myers, Moyer and Hamels for the playoffs in the first round against the Dodgers.
Posted 06:24 PM, 09/16/2008
tothehouse
can we forfeit the game tomorrow? it would save the bullpen. Seriously, what an indictment of our farm system when these are the choices for starting pitchers in the heat of a pennant race.
Posted 06:26 PM, 09/16/2008
bigeastbeast
The Braves haven't seen him.Maybe he can fool them Wednesday and Monday.
Posted 06:50 PM, 09/16/2008
Norma
Good point, bigeastbeast. But if he fools them tomorrow, he might not be able to fool them on Monday. I'm totally on-board with this. As long as there's lots of activity in the 'pen. Just in case!
Posted 07:02 PM, 09/16/2008
xfactor
Good luck to Happ. If he succeeds, he'll be in line for the #5 starter's job next season along with Kendrick and Carrasco. Only one of them should be in the rotation. Behind Cole, we need a real #2, followed by Myers, Moyer and Blanton. This leaves no room for Happ, Kendrick, or Carrasco. They could plug a hole if Moyer or Blanton go down, but no one on the staff is capable of being relied on as a Big three starter besides Hamels and Myers. And until the end of July, I would have said Myers is a #4, but he's come back a long way.
Posted 09:18 PM, 09/16/2008
Clinton, NJ
Happ pitched pretty good in a coupe starts, guess its enough to get the start. Im happy with it. And tothehouse, they are not going to bring up a guy to make his big league debut in a game like this. Happ may not be the best pitching prospect, but he has few games under his belt and did a pretty good job in all but one start. I think all will agree that he is a better option than Eaton and or Kendrick.
Posted 09:28 PM, 09/16/2008
Clinton, NJ
Why leave Moyer in so long?? Every game has to be micro managed from here on out. Lets see if they have another miracle come back in them....
Posted 09:46 PM, 09/16/2008
bski
Not exactly a ringing endorsement for Happ from Dubee, huh? It makes me think of that old joke about asking for a volunteer to step forward. Happ is getting the start because the two other possibilities have taken huge steps backwards, leaving him alone out front. I sure hope Happ pitches well tomorrow. If he doesn't, who do we go with next Monday? Kendrick has to be damaged goods for the rest of this season at least, making him a less than attractive option and Eaton will only get the nod if every other pitcher we have contracts malaria. I don't want to think about Monday yet, so I'll send Happ all the positive vibes I can muster tomorrow.
Posted 10:19 PM, 09/16/2008
bobby
Now THAT is what I'm talkin' about! Despite all the numbers this season, we have been watching Ryan Howard strikeout in the clutch over and over. Tonight, with 2 out, a man on, and down by a run, he turns in an outstanding at-bat, passing on the low outside sliders that have K'd him all year. Takes the count full and POW, Phils take the lead. Hard as it is to believe I could say this... Ryan Howard for MVP! Go Phils!
Posted 10:23 PM, 09/16/2008
Truth
Bobby its about time---Its really amazing that our MVP is on fire and the sleazy, scumbag fans and writers and blogmasters choose to talk about Kendrick and Happ--A true indictment of the classless philadelphian... R. Howard you are the man!!!
Posted 10:45 PM, 09/16/2008
bobby
Suddenly I'm rethinking my position.
Posted 10:54 PM, 09/16/2008
bobby
Lights. Out. Lidge. Was there ever a doubt? (Can you imagine if that guy walks after the BS call by the 3rd base umpire?) Way to go Phils! Hello, 1st place!
Posted 10:55 PM, 09/16/2008
KMG
Boys and girls, it's a nice view from the top! I won't need a stress test during my next physical after that bottom of the 9th but we got through it! Nice job by the offense picking up Moyer, who has picked up the offense all season. GO PHILS!!!!
Posted 11:00 PM, 09/16/2008
timm2
both former mvps have been playing better and magically the phils are winning. it would have been funny if howard would have gotten the cycle tonight, but jroll keeps missing it by a triple.
Posted 11:00 PM, 09/16/2008
bski
Playoff drive update: The Cards lost to the Reds 7-2. They have now lost 6 in a row and are basically out of it. The Astros lost one of the two extra games they had over us yesterday and they went on to lose to the Marlins 5-1 tonight. The Mets lost one of their extra games yesterday and they also dropped another one tonight to the Nationals 1-0. The Brewers are losing to the Cubs 5-3 in the top of the 9th. A loss for them in a game Sabathia pitches would be sweet. It would also be his first loss with them. Hopefully this trend will continue for a while.
Posted 11:06 PM, 09/16/2008
RollinsWasRight
I take it back. I take it ALL back. I don't care about 200+ strikeouts. I don't care about BA. I don't care about defense. I now only care about HUGE GAME SAVING HOME RUNS IN LATE SEPTEMBER! Give Ryan Howard $200M. Give him my first born. Give him whatever he wants; I was so wrong. Big man, you are freakin' unbelievable. No matter what the pompous voters say, you really are the MVP, again.
Posted 11:06 PM, 09/16/2008
Norma
WE'RE #1!!! WE'RE #1!!! I was holding my breath through the whole 9th inning!
Posted 11:11 PM, 09/16/2008
RollinsWasRight
Request for Brad Lidge... I know you are a funny guy; I know you have a bit of a sense of humor... however, next time, in a HUGE game like this, a bullet-sweating, coronoary-causing, tense game like this, could you perhaps record the final 3 outs WITHOUT DOING YOUR HILARIOUS MITCH WILLIAMS IMPERSONATION???? I swear I think tonight's game took 10 years off my life.
Posted 11:19 PM, 09/16/2008
2Parm
Anyone else realized this spot in the rotation comes up on the last Sunday of the season? Let's hope it doesn't matter.
Posted 11:21 PM, 09/16/2008
Truth
Thanks Rollins-- When howard was busy stroking game wining HR's Chase Utley was popping out. Where the heck is Chase. Didn't he have like 20 Hr's in mid may and has he even broken 30 yet? Where are the boo birds? CHASE UTLEY SUCKS>....
Posted 11:37 PM, 09/16/2008
Norma
RWR....I was thinking the same thing about Lidge reminding me of "Wild Thing"! LOL!
Posted 12:51 AM, 09/17/2008
judas_priest
If Meyer can pitch next year the way he has since he has come back from the minors, we'll have two #1 starters.
Posted 01:01 AM, 09/17/2008
judas_priest
Someone obnoxious and arrogant enough to call himself "Truth" should try to get the facts right. Utley's 20th home run was early in June and he hss 31. Plus an RBI double in this game.
Posted 01:04 AM, 09/17/2008
MrPhillie
Sometimes people can "truthfully" be ignorant dimwits. Yes, Ryan is having an unbelievable September and deserves a ton of credit for picking this team up when all seemed lost. I am not criticizing him when I say that if he and other Phillies had played like this (as was expected by many) we wouldn't have to sweat out games night after night in September. And Chase Utley has, I think, 31 HR's, which is not bad for such a relatively skinny man. I'm sure nobody expects Chase to hit 35-40 HR's every year...not even Chase himself. He's a different type of player. Utley was as hot in April-May as Ryan is now and he carried the team to quite a few victories at that time...if we didn't get those wins (while Howard and others were utterly terible) then Ryan's dramatics wouldn't mean anything in September. But why do we need to defend Utley or any other Phillie? Aren't they all members of our team? Can't this city and fan base EVER just be happy?
Posted 02:16 AM, 09/17/2008
jeff gross
I knew Truth would have to get his 2 cents in once Howard did something good. Yes, hes having a hel1 of a Sept--about time he's acting like the hitter we knew he was. As for chase etc, before you open your mouth, check the stats. Love the comments about Mitch, stress, etc. Glad to see you're all in good moods this time of night. As this will probably be the lst post on this thread let me end by saying----God made the world in 6 days, then made the Phillies..and it was GREAT!!! GO PHILS!
Posted 02:19 AM, 09/17/2008
pat h
Truth, I hope John McCain can count on your vote in the upcoming election. He just hopes that the color of his skin won't cloud your judgment. You feel me ? This is a great time to be behind our Phils, and all you want to talk about is racism. I've been all over Utley the past few weeks.. Howards making (10)million, and your saying he's not appreciated. You hate Utley because he's caucasion ? Sounds like it. Your new name should read "Black Truth"....Enjoy the ride and watch it on color TV !
Posted 04:50 AM, 09/17/2008
Lonny
X- Factor? You mean to tell me you consider Myers a number 3 starter? You are out of your mind. It would be great if he was our third best starter then we would have a great chance at winning a world series. But, your statement seemed to be an insult to his abilities.
Posted 06:31 AM, 09/17/2008
wilmfire1
bobby. It is like Howard has a 5th gear lately. That is talent in adversity when the games are down to the season or the "playoffs or bust". Howard MVP!
Posted 06:48 AM, 09/17/2008
wilmfire1
Ok Ok! It was a season for Utley to carry the water early on. Now it is Howard gettin' hot. HOW bout Ruiz hittin a dinger to put us ahead? Big surprise.Then Ryan again to save the night. "It is all part of the plan"...joker in "The Dark Knight".
Posted 06:54 AM, 09/17/2008
KarenA
Those last 3 outs were I think the LONGEST 3 outs I've ever seen! Can't believe the Mets and Brewers tanked on the same evening! Numero ono, my friends hope it lasts the rest of the way....GO PHILS!
Posted 07:06 AM, 09/17/2008
Philly2Cary
J A Happ is like taking your best friend that is a girl but not your girl friend to the dance, and at the end find out that you had a great time. You did not expect it, but it was very good, even though you don't want to admit it.
Posted 08:30 AM, 09/17/2008
jimmymack
Did anyone else besides me have a minor heart attack when they saw Eaton warming up in the bullpen? I got 2 phone calls and a text message from family after that shot, wondering WTF Manual was thinking. Charley, never, ever let Eaton see live action, please!
Posted 08:35 AM, 09/17/2008
jimmymack
"sleazy, scumbag fans and writers and blogmasters choose to talk about Kendrick and Happ (instead of Howard)--A true indictment of the classless philadelphian"... "Utley sucks"....Truth. Thanks once again for adding so much insight to the board.
Posted 09:22 AM, 09/17/2008
RollinsWasRight
jimmymack...right on. Especially since Truth is focusing so much on the fall-off in Utley's HR pace (did any of us really believe he's hit 58, or whatever his pace was in early June???), he seems to have overlooked that Chase has been hitting again. Since the middle of August he is hitting something like .337, with around 25 RBIs and 30 Runs scored. He, like Rollins, is doing his job, and Howard is cleaning up the leftovers, and that is why they are winning again.
Posted 12:23 PM, 09/17/2008
Norma
Truth....We are ALL so tired of your "Where is Chase Utley" tagline. "Where was Ryan Howard" April through August?????
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Andy Martino is in his first season on the Phillies beat. A former New York City public school teacher and graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, he previously wrote for the New York Daily News, where he covered baseball and worked with the award-winning investigative sports "I-team."
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