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The Phillies Zone

Phillies NLCS rotation takes shape

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.

20 comments

Phillies NLCS rotation takes shape

POSTED: Sunday, October 18, 2009, 5:01 PM

Andy Martino

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.

20 comments

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Comments (20)

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 3:07 PM, 10/19/2009

Sorry to waste everyone's time here but will the moron who developed this site with the stupid video that won't shut off PLEASE go committ suicide. There is no way to give feedback on this stupid "feature" so I am hoping the clowns who did this might see the posts. They turned a good site in a terrible site.

— socalken

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 2:00 PM, 10/19/2009

Ok, what year is it? Great, you all get a gold star, it's 2009 not 2008, therefor it does NOT matter what Cole Hamels did last season - "got that" - Good again! The man can't control his emotions when something goes wrong and it puts him off his game, this is not someone you can count on right now, I don't know what's wrong in his head but let's just call it Lidgeitis, hey, do they room together, maybe it's catchy! Wouldn't start him again during this series, doesn't really matter what I think though, I'm not Charlie! just sayin'...

— DJ

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 12:42 PM, 10/19/2009

I was thinking about this last night and I think its good..it gives us the best chance to win with Pedro not having to pitch in the cold and Lee set up to pitch a game 7 if needed (hopefully it will not come to that)

— deldog64

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 11:41 AM, 10/19/2009

Hamels is still a young guy, and a bit of a 'delicate genius' who did not respond to the glory of last year's championship all that well. He'll be fine in the long run. (But it is rather amazing that he is the weakest link in the rotation right now.) As for Game 6, if it's a clinch opportunity for the Phils, Pedro starts. If it's an elimination opportunity, Lee starts.

— bobby

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 10:43 AM, 10/19/2009

It's unfortunate that Hamels has given all these haters an opportunity to bash him. It's somewhat deserved, though, since he's failed to rise to the occasion. But he has too much skill to continue losing--he's due for a breakout performance, and if the Phils win tonight, it'll be the perfect circumstances in Game 5 to do so.

— Cheesedog

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

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 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 12:29 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 12:05 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 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 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