Posted: Sunday, October 18, 2009, 5:01 PM | 20 comments |
 

Phillies NLCS rotation takes shape
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Hello from the postseason of weather extremes, where temps in the low-40s present quite a contrast to the 93-degree paradise at Game 2.

 
A quick note on the Phillies’ rotation: Charlie Manuel just said that his Game 5 starter would almost certainly be Cole Hamels, the logical choice. A separate team source said that, barring unforeseen circumstances, the rotation for the rest of the rotation would likely be:
 
Game 4: Joe Blanton
Game 5: Hamels
Game 6: Pedro Martinez
Game 7: Cliff Lee.
 

No surprises there, as everyone would be on full rest.  J.A. Happ will remain in the bullpen through the NLCS, the source said.
Posted by Andy Martino @ 5:01 PM  Permalink | 20 comments
20
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:49 PM, 10/18/2009
    Hamels should be sent home for his childish behavior. He is a head case that cannot rise to the occasion this year.
    — FloridaBrian
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:50 PM, 10/18/2009
    Cold adds to home-field advantage. Expect a W tonight.
    — spinmeister
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:23 PM, 10/18/2009
    I would think Lee starts Game 6 on regular rest no matter what. Why would your "team source" state otherwise?
    — CyHamels
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:16 PM, 10/18/2009
    Hamels is a girly man who belongs in the bullpen.
    — Delaware Jim
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:28 PM, 10/18/2009
    because they hope to save cliff lee for game one of the world series. this will change if the dodgers win the next two games.
    — mets_collapse_is_funny_to_me
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:35 PM, 10/18/2009
    Hamels will end up coming up big.
    — jyeag1185
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:21 PM, 10/18/2009
    Hamels = World Series MVP. Idiots.
    — bobbyd24
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:26 PM, 10/18/2009
    I think Lee would move up to game 6 in the event that the Phillies would be down in the series, he would be pitching on four days rest...
    — Conshy04
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:30 PM, 10/18/2009
    Amazing how many Cole Hamels bashers there are out here. Get a grip, folks, we're talking about the reigning World Series MVP. Ask the Yankess, Angels or Dodgers if they'd like to have him right now. He's a great young pitcher who is having a little trouble locating his fastball right now, that's it. Deep breaths.
    — AJSer
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:11 PM, 10/18/2009
    Bashing Cole for his performance might not be warranted - if he has a chance to clinch, I think he steps up. But showing up Chase in Game 1 was inexcusable, especially considering his own struggles this season.
    — moderndaymesh
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:05 AM, 10/19/2009
    Stop with the "Hamels was World Series MVP last year." That means nothing this year. He has obviously regressed mentally and just because you won it last year doesn't mean you'll automatically click it on this year. If Hamels could do that, he would've done it by now. He hasn't. That said, I still like our chances with him in game 5, but I no longer feel like it's pretty much a "W" like last year. Face it, Hamels is not the same pitcher he was last year.
    — echosmyron
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:29 AM, 10/19/2009
    If the Phillies are up and have the chance to clinch in game 6, Pedro will pitch, if they are down though I'm thinking it might be Lee
    — furio
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:38 AM, 10/19/2009
    Then was then and now is now. Hamels, like Ledge, is not the same pitcher he was in the postseason '08. No one gives a hoot about last year and Hamels performance thus far in the postseason has been spotty at best. LEE is the MAN and I guess we will have to go back to LA for him to win this thing.
    — pajamas
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:42 AM, 10/19/2009
    Where are th Ruiz baiters? Probably sitting next to the Howard bashers. Leave a seat for the Hamels bashers!
    — Don w
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:06 AM, 10/19/2009
    Not to condone what Hamels did to Chase, but he showed something in that one split second that he has not shown through most of the year, a competitive spirit. I think old Hamels is back. He wants to win. His brief lack of control was not directed to Chase, but towards his competitive spirit for allowing the pitch that caused the error to happen. This is the Cole we need. This is the Cole of last year, this at least is what my bleed Phillies heart is telling me. I hope it is true. As to the General... he will go on a needed game six. Cholly will be a certified crazy if he doesn't (disclosure: I like Cholly).
    — MOphan


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