Phillies' Hamels or Lee likely to start Opening Day
Philadelphia Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee suggested to reporters Tuesday that Cole Hamels or Cliff Lee would start Opening Day, ending Roy Halladay's stretch of 10 straight openers.
The streak could end because the Phillies prefer to split Hamels and Lee, who are both left-handed, in the rotation.
"I think it's how we line up best," Dubee said. "Realistically, we could pitch anybody the first day as far as Doc, Cole and Cliff. On most staffs, they are No. 1 starters, so they all could pitch opening day. But part of what we're thinking is trying to split those two lefties. Last year we started with two lefties (after Halladay) and I'd just like to split them up."
Halladay has started the season's first game since 2003, beginning in 2003 with the Toronto Blue Jays. He won a career-best 22 games that season, and posted a 3.25 ERA.
