Comments on: Rollins’ ‘urgency’ holding Phils back

By: NEPA

NEPA — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:01:06 +0000

I’d rather not see Blanton twice in 3 games, but that could obviously change if Blanton pitches really well tonight. I would have loved to see Cole match up with Lowe for tonight’s game and then game 7 if necessary but that would probably be overworking him. But also, this is the first NLCS for the Phils in 15 years, I’d hope Cole would be willing – but probably not.

By: oaklandphilsphan

oaklandphilsphan — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:46:50 +0000

I’m surprised no one has mentioned a possible game 4-7 rotation here:

Game 4-Mon-Blanton vs. Lowe

Game 5-Wed-Hamels vs. Billingsley

Game 6-Fri-Blanton (3 days rest) vs. Kuroda

Game 7-Sa-Myers (full rest) vs. Lowe

I like this rotation much more with Blanton and Myers in 6 and 7 than
Myers and Moyer, and the matchups are better. Anyone care to discuss?

By: Dennis

Dennis — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:41:33 +0000

NCPhillyPhan,

Let’s make it there first but if you’re coming up stay at The Loews Hotel, a little pricey but unbeilevably nice….

By: Tyler

Tyler — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:39:38 +0000

Come here http://amazinmetsblog.typepad.com/ at 4 p.m. for a live chat!

By: NCPhillyPhan

NCPhillyPhan — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:05:23 +0000

Regardless of who is pitching tonight, the bats have to come alive. Keep Rollins in the leadoff spot. He is a sparkplug. and he will get it going. Once he does, the whole squad will be clicking on all cylinders . . . I hope.

And, as for a game 7, let’s win this thing in 6, or maybe even 5!!

PS – anybody have any good hotels to stay at in Philly for the WS? I’m driving up from NC.

By: Chase Mutley

Chase Mutley — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:49:18 +0000

At the Phillies celebration after clinching the NL East, Blanton’s wife was the hottest (and what seemed like the drunkest) woman there and that’s some serious competition amongst the player’s wives. I’m behind Big Joe 110%.

By: Gabriel

Gabriel — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:46:56 +0000

well said bull, he’s done exactly what we’ve asked him to do…
out of the 15 or so games he’s started for us we’ve won like, 10 or 11, that’s pretty good, but all us philly phans can do is call him ‘fat joe’ or ‘heavy b’ hahah he seems to embrace us though, so i like him by default, still a much better option than kendrick or adam ‘rob the phils blind’ eaton

By: bull

bull — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:40:32 +0000

that trade in my mind was made with intentions of getting the phils to the WS and like i said that is why tonights start for blanton really is the deciding factor. For me at least, he has pitched well but we needed another starter to get us over the hump, is he that guy? We shall see tonight!

By: Chase Mutley

Chase Mutley — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:36:56 +0000

I can’t believe it but I will be at Game 5 in LA. Got 2 tickets for face value, 2 days before the game (god bless you Dodgers fans) and bumped up my business trip flight to arrive in time for the game. So — what’s good, LA?

By: dan

dan — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:36:40 +0000

Regardless of how he pitches tonight, based on his pitching down the stretch and particularly of NLDS game 4, would you say the Blanton trade was worth it?

By: dan

dan — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:35:19 +0000

aha! i was thrown off by the day off tomorrow- thanks NEPA

By: bull

bull — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:32:27 +0000

remember everyone it is 1 game at a time. We need to win another before we can get to 7. Blanton does his job (again here is why we traded for him) and we can look for a fully rested cole in game 5

By: NEPA

NEPA — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:29:59 +0000

dan – games 5 and 7 are not 3 days apart. Game 5 is on the 15th and Game 7 is on the 18th. That would leave 2 days of rest.

By: Gabriel

Gabriel — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:28:46 +0000

come on people, hollywood hamels is who he is… a lanky, somewhat scrawny guy, he’s simply not built to be overworked… he’s conditioned himself to be the ace of a FIVE guy rotation… not a THREE man one…
dont get me wrong, i would love to see him take the wheel here and go at it with D Lowe tonight but it’s just not gonna happen.

By: dan

dan — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:19:02 +0000

What about the idea of letting Cole have his rest now and if it does come down to a game 7 we can try to have him pitch on three days rest then? Everyone wants him on 3 days rest now and full rest then, but why not save the idea of making him pitch on short rest for if it is absolutely necessary?

By: SJ Mike

SJ Mike — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:16:55 +0000

I think this lineup is going to feed well off of Lowe going on short rests and seeing him a second time around in a short amount of time.

By: Ben

Ben — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:08:50 +0000

I’m definitely not a fan of all the lineup changes that Charlie makes. You’ve got to keep the lineup where it is with Rollins in there at the leadoff spot. Rollins just needs to have good at bats. Taking the right pitches and seeing the ball better.

I have no problem seeing Blanton tonight. Hamels just shouldn’t pitch on 3 days rest period. Blanton just needs to keep that ball low and throw his fastball for strikes and he should be alright. Phillies need to hit tonight. Don’t swing at balls especially that sinker in the dirt and make Lowe bring the ball in the strike zone.

By: Paul

Paul — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:03:52 +0000

The idea of Hamels in a potential game 7 is nice. But I like sticking with Blanton here. He looked great in his last start against the Brewers, if he can follow that up with another good outing, then I really like the Phils chances tonight.

By: NEPA

NEPA — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:57:09 +0000

Yea – I would like for Cole to be able to pitch a game 7 if its necessary. I would feel very confident with him pitching at home. If we have to see Lowe 3 times, we should make them see Cole 3 times.

By: Don M

Don M — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:54:04 +0000

But if Blanton looks good again tonight… then you have Hamels on FULL rest (he doesn’t like pitching on short-rest anyway, and has looked GREAT on his extended rest so far this postseason).. but you’d have Hamels and then Myers both going on full-rest with hopefully a chance to end the series in game #5 or #6 at home..

its a tough call, but I think if you go with Hamels on short-rest and he doesn’t perform.. there is a chance that you never even get to a game#7 to use him again.. this way at least you guarantee him a shot of going and hopefully nailing down one more win