Posted: Wednesday, October 29, 2008, 5:07 PM | 17 comments |
 

Madson to Start, Relieve, Whatever
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Charlie Manuel announced that Ryan Madson will start the seventh inning tonight in Game 5 of the World Series.

"He's got experience, and a couple of years ago he was a starter," Manuel said. "He's been throwing the ball real good. I think from a mindset he also knows that, we've just got three innings of baseball for our bullpen to pitch."

A reporter asked Manuel about the Rays being a team of destiny based on what happened in Game 5 on Monday. Manuel had a great response.

"I wouldn't trade positions," he said. "So I guess I feel like I have an advantage. That's kind of how I look at it. Destiny is one thing, but if they're destined, we want to definitely fight through destiny."
Posted by Todd Zolecki @ 5:07 PM  Permalink | 17 comments
17
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:14 PM, 10/29/2008
    Todd, I (like someone else before me) am also curious how the players' seem to be feeling mentally. Do you have any idea? I hope they're feeling relaxed and very determined! Hope Jimmy was visualizing hits the past few nights before falling to sleep!
    — gbrettfan
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:20 PM, 10/29/2008
    I'm not sure about starting with Madson, with the bottom of the order up. And, I certainly wouldn't have announced it now. No reason to let the enemy know what you're doing before you have to. Why don't you announce the pinch hitter as well?
    — glennboe
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:49 PM, 10/29/2008
    Unfortuantely there is no player access before the game. Although, I had a chance to talk to Brett Myers. I said, "Are your heads going to be in this? You guys walked out of the clubhouse pretty (upset) Monday?" He said they are fine. He said he doesn't think that's going to be an issue. He said the only concern is making sure they treat this like the seventh inning and not the first inning, where there can be more of a feeling out period.
    — Todd Zolecki
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:01 PM, 10/29/2008
    Navarro, Baldelli and Bartlett are righties-pitching Madson in the 7th is the right call- it allows you to bring in Romero in the event of 8th inning trouble and throw Lidge in the 9th. Let's get going and bring home the title. GO PHILS!!!
    — KMG
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:29 PM, 10/29/2008
    Ryan will be just fine as long as he goes right after them. No nibbling and getting behind in the count. Then Romero who has also been excellent goes against Iwamura, Crawford, and Upton. The only hitter I worry about is Navarro against Lidge but its probably not going to be a problem.
    — Wally 24
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:33 PM, 10/29/2008
    This is going to be the most emotional couple of innings in this city. Let's all stay cool, okay? We've got the advantage, and the weather is cooperating. I'm not at the "Bank", but I'm sure the crowd will be loud and proud! Stay positive, everyone...take a deep breath and think about how sweet it'll be in a couple of hours!
    — littleredphilsteeshirt
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:38 PM, 10/29/2008
    It would be a mistake to send up a LH pinch-hitter for Hamels. Maddon will bring in a LHP and Charlie will then use Taguchi. (The 6th inning is too early to leave yourself without a backup catcher, so you don't use Coste. And, if Bruntlett hits, he'll stay in to play LF, and it's too early to take Burrell's bat out of the lineup. ... Charlie should either let Hamels hit for himself (.269 vs RHP) or have Taguchi (.262 AVG, .340 OBP vs RHP) pinch-hit for Hamels, directly.
    — Jack M
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:47 PM, 10/29/2008
    Stay loud and positive, we get too quiet when something goes wrong. Scream your lungs out! I will be cheering loud and proud in my Orlando, FL home! Go Phillies! By the way Philly fans in Florida hate Tampa more than Dallas!
    — Phillynoles
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:59 PM, 10/29/2008
    Thanks, Todd. Go Phils!
    — gbrettfan
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:27 PM, 10/29/2008
    If we get the lead, let Madson pitch the 8th also, and set up for Lidge. Remember, he's been a starter. He can go more than one inning.
    — Norma
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:52 PM, 10/29/2008
    WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
    — timm2
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:54 PM, 10/29/2008
    The longest 3 and 1/2 innings of my life!! I'm so happy!!! I love all you Zoners!!! They did it!! So happy!!!
    — Deb in Dixie
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:10 PM, 10/29/2008
    YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES ! ! ! ! Jenkins, J-Roll's bunt, Werth's bloop, outstanding Romero, Chase's defense continuing to be off the hook, Pat the Bat, Victorino with some small ball, clutch Feliz. And then Lidge, Mr. Perfection. WOW.
    — NJLouis66
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:16 PM, 10/29/2008
    Think about it, the biggest moves were noted as Manny, Harden, and CC but they were at home watching Fat Joe Blanton (who proved to be the best pick up)and the Phils win it all baby!!!
    — cg
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:18 PM, 10/29/2008
    WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS! This is so terrific! It's been a wonderful season blogging with the Zoners....Norma, Deb, Bobby, Jimmymack, bski, Truth, Jeff G and many other regulars. What a great ending to this World Series! GO PHILS!!!
    — KarenA


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About Matt Gelb and Bob Brookover












Bob Brookover and Matt Gelb team up for their third straight season covering the Phillies for the Inquirer and philly.com.

This is Brookover’s second stint writing about the Phillies, having joined the coverage team after seven years as an Eagles beat writer. Brookover was hired by The Inquirer in 2000 as the Phillies beat writer after spending 13 years writing about the team for two suburban newspapers. While on the Eagles beat, Brookover, who had covered just two winning Phillies teams in 15 seasons, saw the Phillies move into a cash-cow new ballpark and begin playing a brand of the game he found unrecognizable. Follow him on Twitter here.

Gelb is in his third season covering the Phillies. He was hired by The Inquirer in August 2009 after graduating from Syracuse University. He has also covered baseball at The Star-Ledger and Cape Cod Times. Born and raised in Bucks County, he attended Central Bucks High School West. Follow him on Twitter here.
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