Possible World Series pitching matchups

onthewhat · 10-25-09, 05:55 PM

They're going to pitch Hamels in game 2 in Yankee Stadium if they face the Yankees.

rpbrownie · 10-25-09, 08:44 PM

Originally posted by onthewhat

They're going to pitch Hamels in game 2 in Yankee Stadium if they face the Yankees.

Not so sure there is a lot of talk here in Philly about Pedro and the GM hinted towards it but he doesnt make the call. I personally think you have to go with Hamels, he is iffy right now but been there before and 25 not been there and 37.

We can talk about pitching all we want but if you have spent any significant amount of time watching the Phillies they have "IT" or "the TEAM factor".....something special. That doesnt automatically mean they win but it can be just as important as pitching.

onthewhat · 10-25-09, 09:12 PM

You do not want a bunch of lefties taking cracks at Pedro at Yankee Stadium

Throw Hamels and turn Teixeira, Posada, Swisher, Melky around and bat from the right side

MrMonkey · 10-26-09, 01:21 AM

Agree WB that if up 3-0 the Phils will add a 4th man to rotation. Manual won't say it but probably wishes he could leave Hamels out of the rotation. Hoping myself for the best and maybe the Yanks not seeing him that much he might surprise them? If Hamels doesn't come up with a 3rd pitch next year he can consistently get over, IMO he'll never duplicate his success of 2008! He just doesn't throw hard enough! I would like to see Pedro in game 2 but Manual might go with Hamels in Yankee Stadium?

konck · 10-26-09, 02:31 AM

Takabathia game1-2-4-5-7

Willie Bee · 10-26-09, 02:13 PM

I'm not sure why he pitches Hamels in Game 2 as the schedule is showing now. Here's a guy who has not shown a thing in the last month, and you're risking having him on the mound to prevent going down 0-2 in the series. Having all of those lefthanded swingers at the park in Philly is not going to be much different than having them face Martinez in New York, with Pedro pitching better right now and having the experience.

Has Manuel committed to Hamels in Game 2 or is this just ESPN speculation?

onthewhat · 10-26-09, 02:21 PM

i heard manuel wouldn't announce until after game 1, maybe the outcome of that game will influence the decision

I just think it would be a good idea to turn the switch hitters to the right side, and also for hamels confidence to pitch him #2.

shantystar · 10-26-09, 02:22 PM

good job willie knowledgable thread.

Willie Bee · 10-27-09, 12:15 PM

It's Pedro for Game 2

Phillies sending Pedro to the mound in Game 2

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs/2009/news/story?id=4598313

Pedro Martinez will start Game 2 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said Tuesday on Philadelphia radio station WPHT-AM.

Pedro Martinez will start Game 2 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said Tuesday on Philadelphia radio station WPHT-AM.

Martinez, who pitched seven shutout innings in a 2-1 loss at Los Angeles in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series, is no stranger to taking the mound against the Yankees in big moments.

Martinez, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, went 8-4 with a 2.95 ERA in 16 regular-season starts at the old Yankee Stadium. He is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in two postseason starts in the Bronx as a member of the Boston Red Sox. One of those was Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS, when manager Grady Little left a tiring Martinez in to pitch the eighth inning with a 5-2 lead. Martinez gave up three runs and the Yankees won on Aaron Boone's solo home run in the 11th.

Overall, Martinez is 6-2 with a 3.13 ERA in 14 playoff appearances. He tossed seven shutout innings and earned the win in his only World Series start against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 3 of Boston's 2004 World Series sweep.

Manuel's other likely choice for Game 2 was left-hander Cole Hamels, who is 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in three playoff starts after a dominating performance in the Phillies' run to the World Series title last season.

pimike · 10-27-09, 12:23 PM

Thanks Willie! Lee may get game 1. I expect him to pitch well.

lakerboy · 10-27-09, 12:31 PM

You pitch hamels in game 1 end of story. If you lose with Lee in game 1 its curtains. So if you go with Hamels in game 1 you get experience and even if you lose you have Lee for game 2 not having to face cc.

Willie Bee · 10-27-09, 12:43 PM

Except for the fact that by pitching Lee in Game 2, you will have him a maximum of two starts for the Series. With Lee in Game 1, you can pitch him three times. I'd hate to be a manager having to explain to the GM and the fans why I didn't give my ace a shot at three starts and instead gave the shot at three starts to a younger pitcher that is really struggling to find any consistency right now.

lakerboy · 10-27-09, 02:07 PM

Originally posted by Willie Bee

Except for the fact that by pitching Lee in Game 2, you will have him a maximum of two starts for the Series. With Lee in Game 1, you can pitch him three times. I'd hate to be a manager having to explain to the GM and the fans why I didn't give my ace a shot at three starts and instead gave the shot at three starts to a younger pitcher that is really struggling to find any consistency right now.

I understand what you are saying Willie. The only problem is that Hamels has been here and done it. Sure you want Lee for 3 games but if you use him in game 1 and lose with him as being your best guy trust me he wont pitch 2 more games after that cause the Phils wont get to game 7. Its all good though cause Manuel has done a great job with his bullpen bringing guys right away instead of waiting too long. My question for you though is do you feel better with Lee against Burnett or better with Hamels against Burnett. If you want to split in yankee stadium you dont start Lee in game 1 cause CC will outpitch him and then you leave it to that Phils bullpen which is the deciding factor in this series.

Willie Bee · 10-27-09, 02:12 PM

I understand what you're saying, and if Hamels had pitched better the past month or so, or hadn't struggled pretty much all season, your point would be valid and Manuel would indeed have a tougher decision to make. I just can't think of any manager who had his true ace available for the first game of a playoff series, and deciding his ace had a better shot at beating the other team's No. 2 starter instead.

So let me ask you a question now: You've already declared the Yankees as the World Series winners, so what difference does it make who Manuel starts when? Methinks that maybe, just maybe, you would like the odds more in your favor to see the Yankees go up 1-0

lakerboy · 10-27-09, 02:20 PM

Originally posted by Willie Bee

I understand what you're saying, and if Hamels had pitched better the past month or so, or hadn't struggled pretty much all season, your point would be valid and Manuel would indeed have a tougher decision to make. I just can't think of any manager who had his true ace available for the first game of a playoff series, and deciding his ace had a better shot at beating the other team's No. 2 starter instead.

So let me ask you a question now: You've already declared the Yankees as the World Series winners, so what difference does it make who Manuel starts when? Methinks that maybe, just maybe, you would like the odds more in your favor to see the Yankees go up 1-0

No I havent declared the yanks the winner and I believe anyone can take the opening game if Lee starts. I just think for the phils sake they shouldnt waste Lee in a game where he might pitch near perfect and still lose.The Phils need a split in NY and if they lose with Lee in game 1 that becomes a lot harder. It should be a great series and I believe the Phils as the defending champs should be the team to beat. Lets see what happens Willie. Enjoy the series

onthewhat · 10-27-09, 04:08 PM

Good call Willy

Manuel gets second guessed if Pedro gets rocked by the lefties who hit pop flys for HR