Halladay, Kratz and Brown
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Halladay, Kratz and Brown
Matt Gelb
Some pregame tidbits before Game 109:
NO REST FOR HALLADAY. Charlie Manuel had floated the idea of shutting down Roy Halladay almost two weeks ago. Halladay bristled at the notion after seven shutout innings Saturday.
The manager delievered an unequivocal statement Monday in support of Halladay.
"I can answer that right now: We're not thinking about doing that," Manuel said. "I don't have to answer that anymore. He's not going to get shut down unless things vastly change. He has no desire to be shut down. I believe if we are to get his arm stronger, pitching him is fine."
Manuel can and probably will limit Halladay's pitch count at times.
"More than likely he's not going to see 125," Manuel said. "But if he has a no-hitter going, I'm going to let him throw the no-hitter."
IN SUPPORT OF KRATZ. Chris Coste played in 12 minor-league seasons before playing in the majors. It took Erik Kratz 11 minor-league seasons to earn significant playing time in the majors, and he could follow the footsteps of Coste, the former Phillies backup catcher who authored a book about his journey.
Does Manuel think Kratz can endear himself during the last two months for a possible job later?
"Without a doubt," Manuel said. "Matter of fact, I think Kratz right now can be a good backup catcher."
So why has it taken this long for someone to notice Kratz?
"Just how it is sometimes in baseball," Manuel said. "Being in the right place at the right time. Some guys get tested on how much they want it and how willing they are to work. Kratz might be one of those guys. There are a lot of people like that."
BROWN MOVES UP. The latest lineup has Domonic Brown batting second. Manuel sees a young hitter with solid plate discipline so far.
"I think he's been pretty patient at the plate from what I've seen," Manuel said. "His best hitting right now is in the middle of the field from right-center to left field. Getting experience, that will come later, pulling the ball. That's how most young hitters go."
The full lineup:
1. Jimmy Rollins 6
2. Domonic Brown 7
3. Chase Utley 4
4. Ryan Howard 3
5. John Mayberry Jr. 8
6. Nate Schierholtz 9
7. Kevin Frandsen 5
8. Brian Schneider 2
9. Vance Worley 1
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
Here goes Charlie again with the pulling the ball stuff. That's exactly what he said about Howard. Leave the kid alone.— EL Zorro- Ding! You win a toaster. It takes a lifetime .198 hitter to speak with authority about trying to pull the ball more. It's also an indictment of boy wonder Amaro that he lets hitting guru Magoo around such a fragile talent as Brown.
Classic stuff.
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- Brown seems like he could be a better all-around hitter than Howard ever could be. Hopefully Brown realizes its not all about the homerun, but seeing how he is a Boras client, I am sure the devil is whispering in his ear on a daily basis.— ESFjellin
- Brown still has a hole the size of China in his swing; you can't hide that!— JBinPA
- @kelprod2, get a new act, this one is old and never was funny!— JBinPA
- Great line up again Cholly. Please keep some consistancy in the line up so guys get comfortable hitting in front/behind others. Dom Brown should NOT be a #2 hitter, nor should Nate Shierholtz bat lead off. And oy, Schneider makes a cameo.— drhoffman
- Not too keen on Schnieder getting the nod over Kratz but know Schnieder works with Worley. Very glad to see Martinez and Wiggington warming the bench -- let's hope they stay there all night and even invite Schwimer over to join them.— Al n SD
- For $20 million, Halladay pitches till his arm falls off then the Phillies recoup their money through insurance. This isn't a 24-year old coming off Tommy John surgery with 15 years ahead of him.— GreenWing
- I also like the Wheeler jokes...
— Napa818 - When is "Pop-up" Rollins going to be moved down in the line-up?— RonGon
- This comment has been deleted.— kelprod2
- It's as tired as the stuff about Chris Wheeler. Enough already!— dwp66
- Vance Worley should be shut down. Those bone chips aren't going to improve any while he's pitching. Get the surgery and a leg up on 2013. At this point, does anyone care if Vance Worley takes the mound as opposed to Tyler Cloyd, Pat Mitsch, Jamie Moyer, Scott Elarton, or Paul Abbott for goodness sake? I sure don't. But what do I know, I'm just a TV clown. Uggggghhhh.— Krusty
