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Sunday, October 4, 2009
Tracy: Ubaldo likely Game 1 starter vs. Phils
Colorado Rockies' Ubaldo Jimenez. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)

Colorado Rockies manager Jim Tracy said minutes ago there was a "good chance" that Ubaldo Jimenez will be their Game 1 starter against the Phillies in the NLDS, our Jim Salisbury reports from Los Angeles. 

Jimenez is 15-12 with a 3.47 earned run average, and has not faced the Phillies this season.
 
Tracy also said that that status of starter Jorge De La Rosa, who suffered a groin injury last night, was still undetermined. 
 
The Phils have yet to name their Wednesday starter, but the Phillies Zone’s educated guess is that it will be Cole Hamels. 
 
As far as J.A. Happ, the guess is that he will be available in the bullpen for games 1 and 2, and if he is not burned there, would start a potential game 4. Just speculation at this point, though, based on reporting. What would your playoff rotation look like, and how would you use Happ?
Posted by Andy Martino @ 3:02 PM  Permalink | 13 comments
13
Comments   
Posted 03:31 PM, 10/04/2009
IssueMovement
hamels (thats gotta be why they gave him only 3 innings the other night, right?), lee, blanton, and happ. i agree they should use happ in the pen the first 2 games, if necessary.
Posted 03:39 PM, 10/04/2009
the_big_guy
would not happen and i dont expect it would, but the move is to throw happ in game 2 based on his performance this year v. col and his unbelieveable consistency this year...
Posted 03:40 PM, 10/04/2009
UncleEddie
Gotta go with Lee in Game 1. He has the extra day' rest. And Cole gets Game 2 with his precious 4 days rest in between starts.
Posted 04:28 PM, 10/04/2009
wes
How far will the Phillies go now that they 'rested ' some of thier starters to get wins and home field adventage
Posted 05:26 PM, 10/04/2009
Philly2Tahoe
Lee, Hamels, Blanton, Pedro.. got to keep Happ in the bullpen just in case Lee or Hamels struggle early in their games. If we lose the first two games, then bump Pedro in before Blanton, I rather have Pedro's demeanor on the mound in a series-ending game over Blanton. I love what Happ has done this season as a starter but, we need him as an insurance in case any of our other 4 starters crash and burn early. This is the post season, we can afford to give 4 runs up in 5 innings.
Posted 05:30 PM, 10/04/2009
phillyjeffsr
I think Hamels has earned Game 1. True big game pitchers don't come along that often. Use him as much as they can. King Cole, Lee, Blanton and Happ then bring on the Cardinals and home field advantage!
Posted 08:28 PM, 10/04/2009
calm weather
What kind of respect is it making the defending champions play both games in the middle of the afternoon?
Posted 11:51 PM, 10/04/2009
takeitdeep
Colorado, I believe, is one game under .500 against starting lefties. I go Hamels, Lee, Happ, Blanton in the first series, and then send Happ to the pen if we make it to the LCS.
Posted 12:22 AM, 10/05/2009
KBland
I like the idea of Happ getting a start if not burned in the first couple games. But I fail to see why your suggestion, or prediction is game 4. I'm inclined to go lefty left lefty and utilize the strength in the particular matchup.
Posted 07:46 AM, 10/05/2009
OBLawyer
I think Charlie may start Happ in game 3 depending on outcome of first two.
Posted 09:17 AM, 10/05/2009
EL Zorro
Hamels has to start game one over Lee. Both have struggle lately, but Hamels has playoff experience. This is going to be Lee's first.
Posted 09:35 AM, 10/05/2009
psalveso
ReclinerGM has a good preview post up comparing the Phils and Rox in 10 different areas... http://www.reclinergm.com/2009-nlds-preview-phillies-vs-rockies/
Posted 10:07 AM, 10/05/2009
bobmc
How soon we forget last year-HAMELS all the way for game one. Lee hasn't exactly been sharp his last couple outings. HAMELS/LEE/BLANTON/HAPP/HAMELS
About Andy Martino and Matt Gelb














Andy Martino is in his second 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." Follow him on Twitter here.

Matt Gelb is in his first season covering the Phillies. He was hired by The Inquirer in August 2009 after graduating from Syracuse University. He also interned at The Inquirer in 2008 and has covered just about every sport for the paper. Born and raised in Bucks County, he attended Central Bucks High School West. Follow him on Twitter here.

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