MLB - Sports Rumors

Tue Oct 27, 2009 7:40 am EDT

Phillies' Lee getting three starts in Series?

By Mark J. Miller

“CliffIt's been suspected for about a week that the New York Yankees might go with a three-man rotation of C.C. Sabathia(notes), A.J. Burnett(notes), and Andy Pettitte(notes) for the World Series, which would mean Sabathia would get three starts in the Series, but now it's looking like the Philadelphia Phillies may do something similar with ace Cliff Lee(notes), according to Sports Illustrated.

Other than Lee and the one game Pedro Martinez(notes) pitched against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the starting rotation for the Phillies this postseason hasn't been stellar so Manager Charlie Manuel is apparently thinking he'll use Lee in three games and have him go up against CC Sabathia in Games 1, 4, and 7. That would leave Martinez to pitch in Games 2 and possibly 6, and last year's hero but this year's inconsistent postseason starter, Cole Hamels(notes), to pitch Game 3. That leaves a Game 5 and possibly Game 6 hole for Manuel to fill. He isn't saying anything about who he's pitching when so you can expect him to throw Joe Blanton(notes) and likely National League Rookie of the Year J.A. Happ(notes) in there and hope they have stronger outings than they've had already this postseason.

So far Manuel's chess playing has worked out so Phillies fans are hoping he's got one more set of pitching moves up his sleeve.

Source: Sports IllustratedNew Window

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  1. RedSoxin2010
    1. Posted by RedSoxin2010 Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:00 am EDT

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    This is huge for the Phillies Cliff Lee starting a possible Game 1, 4 and 7 it will give them a great chance sort of liek what the Yankees have had with CC.
    World Series should be very interesting i give the Phillies the edge with there Lineup plus they have been there and have done this before.
    They also have had plenty of rest something the team does well on.
    Can't wait unti l Wednesday
  2. Fig
    2. Posted by Fig Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:21 am EDT

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    I still think Cole should be pitching game 2 and then game 6 as a result. I like Pedro but you have to believe Hamels still has some of that magic from last year.
  3. biigmike326
    3. Posted by biigmike326 Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:53 am EDT

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    Yanks have more raw talent and better pitching.. this should be a great series, as long as you dont bring in Lidge to close and lose. Yanks in 4 so bring out the brooms... GO YANKEES!!!
  4. dagoldeneagle
    4. Posted by dagoldeneagle Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:53 am EDT

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    phillies' best pitchers in order are cliff lee, pedro martinez, cole hamels (sorry he was never dominant like tim lincecum, chris carpenter for an entire season and he's pretty average this year), j.a. happ, and joe blanton. i'm not sure if myers or chan ho park can start in a pinch. so the rotation should be
    game 1: lee vs. sabathia
    game 2. martinez vs. pettitte
    game 3 burnett vs. hamels
    game 4 sabathia (i really don't see gaudin starting a game in a stage as big as the World Series for the yankees) vs. happ
    game 5 pettitte vs. lee
    game 6 burnett vs. martinez
    game 7 sabathia vs. hamels
  5. str A's hooter
    5. Posted by str A's hooter Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:56 am EDT

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    Joe Blanton should get a start of two. Don't wear Lee out. He should be kept sharp for deciding games!
  6. davfied
    6. Posted by davfied Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:05 am EDT

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    Morning Red, Hooter,
    That is all fine & good as Lee is a great pitcher. Problem he will be going up against the AL's best all three times. Yankees in 6. They will go Sabathia, Pettitte, Burnett. CC, 1&4-Pettitte, 2&6. Series over.
  7. Kenneth C
    7. Posted by Kenneth C Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:08 am EDT

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    RedSoxin09,
    We could have expected that from you guys! The disrespect for the best offensive team in baseball has your team sitting on its ass in the post season. The Yankees have many more bats than the Phillies and the pitching is stronger also. They are no as good as the Angels. Yankees in 6, (possibly 5).
  8. RedSoxin2010
    8. Posted by RedSoxin2010 Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:24 am EDT

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    Davfied
    Whats going on good Series win over the Angels by your team, This series should be more diffcult the Phillies have a better lineup then the Angels, i think they have one of the best in baseball.
    I can't wait to see this i hope it goes 7 games
  9. RedSoxin2010
    9. Posted by RedSoxin2010 Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:26 am EDT

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    Kennenth C
    Don't whine it is true the Phillies have a more consisent lineup from 1-9, better all around hitters, mabye not Home run hitters but they can swing the bat.
    You obivously don't follow baseball that much if you think the Phillies don't have good hitters.
    And what does my team have anything to do with the Yankees and Phillies playing Tommorow.
    You are dense learn to give your opponent credit if you can't your nothing but a doucebag fan who doesn't understand the game at all.
  10. Artist formerly known as Evil Empire!
    10. Posted by Artist formerly known as Evil Empire! Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:26 am EDT

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    Morning RS09, Davfied, Str A's and eagle
  11. davfied
    11. Posted by davfied Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:28 am EDT

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    Red,
    Second best!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yankees in 6.
  12. bowl300
    12. Posted by bowl300 Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:30 am EDT

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    the phillies have been disrespected last year and all of this year. we are the world champions and will repeat.
    I am sick and tired of ALL the announcers on the national scene, mcarver, buck, all of them not giving the phillies the respect that they deserve. phillies in 5
  13. RedSoxin2010
    13. Posted by RedSoxin2010 Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:31 am EDT

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    Artist
    Whats up
  14. RedSoxin2010
    14. Posted by RedSoxin2010 Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:33 am EDT

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    Davfied
    I won't doubt you when you say that, the Yankees lineup can strike at any time as well i thought most of the series agaisnt the Angels they were sleep walking yet they got by on there Starting Pitching which was pretty much on there game this entire playoffs so far.
    Phil Hughes still has problems in the set up role, the Yankees didn't call on him in Game 6 instead pitching Rivera for 2 innings.
    That was a smart move win or lose with your best Pitcher on the mound.
  15. RedSoxin2010
    15. Posted by RedSoxin2010 Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:33 am EDT

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    Davfied
    I won't doubt you when you say that, the Yankees lineup can strike at any time as well i thought most of the series agaisnt the Angels they were sleep walking yet they got by on there Starting Pitching which was pretty much on there game this entire playoffs so far.
    Phil Hughes still has problems in the set up role, the Yankees didn't call on him in Game 6 instead pitching Rivera for 2 innings.
    That was a smart move win or lose with your best Pitcher on the mound.
  16. RedSoxin2010
    16. Posted by RedSoxin2010 Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:33 am EDT

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    Davfied
    I won't doubt you when you say that, the Yankees lineup can strike at any time as well i thought most of the series agaisnt the Angels they were sleep walking yet they got by on there Starting Pitching which was pretty much on there game this entire playoffs so far.
    Phil Hughes still has problems in the set up role, the Yankees didn't call on him in Game 6 instead pitching Rivera for 2 innings.
    That was a smart move win or lose with your best Pitcher on the mound.
  17. John B
    17. Posted by John B Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:40 am EDT

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    Definitely throw Cliff at them 3x, Pedro is probably a good call for Game 2, and Happ for game 3. I wouldn't let Cole Hamels within 100 yards of the starting rotation, the guy has been pathetic since August. I don't think he could get me out, let alone the Yankees.
  18. RaymondGuy
    18. Posted by RaymondGuy Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:50 am EDT

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    Be great to see CC or Cliff go 3-0. Either way the tribe is showing the sparkle of being MLB's greatest farm club.
    Go Indians!
  19. m.chazen
    19. Posted by m.chazen Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:58 am EDT

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    Phillies in 6 or 7. Great Matchup, but the Phillies have more heart and find ways to win. They are the best team for a full 27 outs.
  20. Brian C
    20. Posted by Brian C Tue Oct 27, 2009 10:08 am EDT

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    The problem with this theory is that we don't know how Lee responds to pitching on 3 days rest. Everyone now knows that CC can handle it and still perform at a high level but can the same be said of Lee? For most pitchers the 3 days rest thing usually results in a bad performance with CC having been a rare exception the last 2 years. And golden eagle switch Andy and AJ in your matchups because that's how it has gone the first 2 rounds and I don't see Girardi changing that now. You want Andy going after a Yankee loss as his record following a loss is stellar and CC doesn't lose much. AJ on the other hand can be brilliant or terrible so odds of him losing and having Andy pitch after a loss are much greater in that situation.
  21. davfied
    21. Posted by davfied Tue Oct 27, 2009 10:08 am EDT

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    Red,
    Hughes had a problem in his last outing. I believe that was due to rust. He hadn't pitched in a while. He need to go much like Mariano. I have watched them all season and notice their tendencies. Passing on series tickets! You need psychiatric help!!!!!!!
  22. RamziH
    22. Posted by RamziH Tue Oct 27, 2009 10:20 am EDT

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    Sweep! Don't give the Phillies a second chance. This should be over by Sunday for my birthday!
  23. Brizl
    23. Posted by Brizl Tue Oct 27, 2009 10:24 am EDT

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    I disagree with Phillies fans notion that the Phillies aren't getting enough respect. I think they've gotten plenty of respect in the media, especially lately. All you hear is that they have proven not to be a flash in the pan. Clearly they aren't because they are back in the series. You're looking at it the wrong way. They are giving respect to the Yankees because of their record, and their pitching. This Yankee team has very few weaknesses. The Phillies will be no walk in the park for sure, but the Yankees are a minefield. This is going to be a good series for baseball fans.
  24. RedSoxin2010
    24. Posted by RedSoxin2010 Tue Oct 27, 2009 10:33 am EDT

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    Davfied
    Yea that is why i won't question Hughes as much because you have seen him pitch every day this year compared to me which is not nearlyas much.
    How do you think Howard and Werth will do against the Yankee pitching?
    Davfied i know but the teams playing arn't my favorite teams i love baseball but it just isn't the same when my team isn't playing.
    i am sure you understand where i am coming from with my Red Sox just as much as you are with the Yankees
  25. Brian C
    25. Posted by Brian C Tue Oct 27, 2009 10:34 am EDT

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    Listen this is going to be a good series. They both have a shut down ace, great post season closer (although I'll always give Mo the nod over anyone else because his history in the playoffs goes back 14 years where as Lidge has only been good for the last 2 years) and great line up. Just because they are evenly matched though doesn't neccesarily mean it goes 7 games. Could be a 4 or 5 game series with a lot of close games. In a close game 1 mistake by an umpire (highly probable this year), a base running blunder or an error can cost you the win and there is always the element of luck also. With CC going 3 times I like the Yankees chances though.

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