Manuel: Blanton will start Game 4
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Manuel: Blanton will start Game 4
Here is what Charlie Manuel had to say, after the Phillies lost Game 3 to the Giants, 3-0.
Will Joe Blanton start Game 4? "Yeah," Manuel said. Manuel was asked if there was any discussion after the game about starting Blanton. "No discussion," Manuel said.
About Game 4, Manuel said: "I'd say tomorrow is the biggest game we've played so far. Today was a big game but tomorrow is bigger. That's how I look at it."
About Giants starter Matt Cain: "I thought Cain was too good. He didn't give us any runs. Even though he hit a couple of batters and gave us three walks, he pitched better. We did hit any balls hard. He mixed his pitches well."
About whether Ben Francisco will replace Raul Ibanez in leftfield: "He hits lefthanders real well. We'll think about it."
About Cole Hamels' performance: "I thought it was big when he walked [Pat] Burrell. Cody Ross has been hot and he bit a ball down. Hamels, he definitely could have gotten out of the inning. Ross got a big hit off him."
About Chase Utley's swing: "It might have something to do about the pitching. I don't know what we're going to do about it. I can talk to them about it but when the game starts, it's up to them."
The season depends on Joe Blanton.— Bob65S- Solve the problem by firing Greg Gross.
- I think going with Blanton is the right move. If you go with Halladay on short rest, then you commit to going with Oswalt and Hamels on short rest. And Hamels didn't look great on regular rest.— Muckrakers
- I think Ben Francisco should get the start tomorrow.— Muckrakers
- I think Ben Francisco should get the start tomorrow.— Muckrakers
See you next year— shawnmac
No team in baseball has come close to playing the number of games the Phils have over the last four years, with the same core players. Combine that with Charlie's penchant to not rest them regularly, it's easy to see why they are spent. They are just plain outta bullets. Probably more emotionally than physically. It's called "burn out syndrome" in our world. They look like zombies.— RAS- I think they should start Halladay on short rest tomorrow and come back with Blanton in game 5. You hope Halladay ties the series up tomorrow and then you have a Blanton/Lincecum matchup, which is not in our favor but you come back to Philly possibly down 2-3 with Oswalt and Hamels pitching games 6 and 7 at home. If Blanton blows up tomorrow then you have a tough game down 1-3 against Lincecum. Although, if Jo Boo keeps cursing our bats, it doesn't matter who is pitching!!! Get a live chicken Charlie!— jimmydugan
- I don't buy that RAS. These guys play great down the stretch, sweep the Reds and then all of a sudden get burned out for the NL-freaking-CS? I think they just ran into great pitching. And the offense has been inconsistent all year.— Muckrakers
Comment removed.- Muck, according to Charlie, they haven't been right for quite some time. The Reds lost that series as opposed to the Phils winning it. If not for two NEW Roys, we're not even having this discussion.— RAS
- Either 3-1 or 2-2, I like sending Roy to the mound to take us back to Philly.
— fgdavis - Halladay needs to start tomorrow. the whole season is on the line, if Phils lose they are down 3-1 and it's over,...so you go with your absolute best pitcher and that's Halladay who will beat the rookie pitcher and even the series at 2-2....period.— Bill20
- if the Phillies cannot beat a 21-year-old lefthanded rookie Madison Baumgarner 1 year out of college ball they dont deserve to win the NLCS— wxdavid
- The Phillies got done playing ball last November, and they were back in Clearwater in February. Two years in a row. With the holiday grind in between. Yay! You can't tell me they were fresh and rested. The Yankees, as good as they are, are up against it as well. Meanwhile Jose Reyes et al are taking all this in on some tropical island while sipping down rum swizzles and getting a daily massage on a breezy ocean veranda.— RAS
