Posted: Friday, October 23, 2009, 1:09 PM | 25 comments |
 

Notes from the workout
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Good morning from the first post-clinch workout at Citizens Bank Park. Just a few newsy bullet points before I head down to the field.

 
--Charlie Manuel said that he had not yet made any decisions about the World Series rotation, and would meet with his staff and Ruben Amaro tonight and tomorrow. We can assume Cliff Lee will be the Game 1 starter and probably not be wrong.
 
--Sounds like Pedro Martinez will get a start, but Manuel wouldn’t confirm that.
 
--He also said that Joe Blanton and J.A. Happ could very well begin another series in the bullpen, as they did for the previous two rounds.
 
--The Phillies will see live pitching in a simulated game Sunday, which Manuel feels is essential to staying sharp during the long layoff.
 
I’ll bring you more news as we learn it.
Posted by Andy Martino @ 1:09 PM  Permalink | 25 comments
25
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:26 PM, 10/23/2009
    The big question is where Cole Hamels fits in and either the press wasn't asking about that or Charlie wasn't volunteering any information on that subject.
    — Claudio Vernight
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:44 PM, 10/23/2009
    I know I'm crazy, but if C.C. is the starter in Game 1, why not start Hammels and save Lee for Game 2? You put yourself in a better position to get out of New York with a split, which is all you need. Burnett doesn't scare me. Phils pounded him for four homers when they played him in May. Thoughts?
    — andrewfrombrooklyn
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:52 PM, 10/23/2009
    Lee 1, Martinez 2, Hamels 3 @ home, then adjust from there.
    — JBP
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:05 PM, 10/23/2009
    winning the 1st game is important. lee has to go in game 1.
    — nosmoke
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:30 PM, 10/23/2009
    Unless the weather looks awful for game 3 you probably don't want to throw Pedro in NY. He's had his issues pitching against the Yankees. Otherwise, unless the Yankees go 7 against the Angels a CC v. Lee matchup will happen in game 1 and then throw Hammels in game 2 against Burnett with Petite against Pedro in game 3.
    — arollin
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:35 PM, 10/23/2009
    Don't think Sabathia should be feared unnecessarily. If the Phillies want to prepare for him, they ought to take practice from their own Pedro Martinez, whose style resembles the Yankees' ace's. And if history is accurate, Pedro had it all over Sabathia when he was younger.
    — rbbloom
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:41 PM, 10/23/2009
    Andrew, I don't think that's crazy at all. Think of it this way: Hamels is either going to pitch well or blow up. If he pitches well, I'll be happy to go with him vs. CC. nosmoke, I would argue that what is most important is winning 1 of 2 in NY. I love Lee vs. CC, but it if CC is on, you could walk away from that game with a loss, even if Lee pitches great. Then if you have Hamels in Game 2, and he continues to give up runs, you are in serious danger of leaving NY down 2-0. If you start Cole in Game 1, assuming that you get a win from Lee in Game 2, you give yourself a better shot at a split. And who knows, perhaps the spotlight and challenge of facing Sabathia sparks Hamels to outperform his recent starts and you sneak away with 2 wins? OK, so that's pushing it, but the point is you HAVE to come back to Philly with a win. (This all assumes you believe Hamels should even get a start at this point, which, while a startling thought, is unfortunately debatable.)
    — bobby
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:43 PM, 10/23/2009
    Andrew, I don't think that's crazy at all. Think of it this way: Hamels is either going to pitch well or blow up. If he pitches well, I'll be happy to go with him vs. CC. nosmoke, I would argue that what is most important is winning 1 of 2 in NY. I love Lee vs. CC, but it if CC is on, you could walk away from that game with a loss, even if Lee pitches great. Then if you have Hamels in Game 2, and he continues to give up runs, you are in serious danger of leaving NY down 2-0. If you start Cole in Game 1, assuming that you get a win from Lee in Game 2, you give yourself a better shot at a split. And who knows, perhaps the spotlight and challenge of facing Sabathia sparks Hamels to outperform his recent starts and you sneak away with 2 wins? OK, so that's pushing it, but the point is you HAVE to come back to Philly with a win. (This all assumes you believe Hamels should even get a start at this point, which, while a startling thought, is unfortunately debatable.)
    — bobby
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:45 PM, 10/23/2009
    From what I hear, the weather for Game 3 (Halloween, Oct. 31) has the potential to be miserable, with a storm heading in from the west. Could get ugly.
    — bobby
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:46 PM, 10/23/2009
    I'd rather pitch Pedro here to have him avoid the DH. Give him the best opportunity to succeed
    — Captain
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:49 PM, 10/23/2009
    How are Pedro and CC even remotely alike? Pedro is offspead, movement, and location. CC is power fastball, power slider occasional changeup. They couldn't be move different
    — Captain
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:52 PM, 10/23/2009
    I agree JBP. Lee then Martinez then Hamels. Lee is a no-brainer. I originally was thinking Hamels for Game 2 (because I think he's due for a big time performance), but I like the idea of splitting up the lefties and Hamels pitching at the Bank, where he has been more effective. This rotation allows Lee to come back for Game 5, and Hamels would be available for a potential Game 7.
    — PSU DEJA BLUE
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:10 PM, 10/23/2009
    Andrewfrombrooklyn is not crazy. He is absolutely correct. Even if Lee is great, Sabathia may be, too, and the game could be decided on a fluke. Anyone less than C.C. is beatable. Just get the split and beat them 3 straight at home. Perhaps we should allow the Yankees to win 2 to make it seem like a fair match-up.
    — wjweiss
  • Comment removed.


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