FanHouse http://www.fanhouse.com FanHouse http://www.fanhouse.com/media/feedlogo.gif FanHouse http://www.fanhouse.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ Footprints in the Snow: Giants http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/21/footprints-in-the-snow-giants/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/21/footprints-in-the-snow-giants/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/21/footprints-in-the-snow-giants/#comments Jeff Fletcherby Jeff FletcherPablo SandovalFootprints in the Snow is FanHouse's look at the paths to be forged by MLB teams this winter as they look ahead to 2010.

The Giants made a nice improvement from 72 victories in 2008 to 88 in 2009, achieved pretty much because of an outstanding pitching staff. The Giants aren't likely to pitch better in 2010 than they did in 2009 -- their 3.55 ERA ranked second in the majors -- so if they are to take the next step, they'll have to find a way to score more runs.

The bad news is, outside of Pablo Sandoval, they don't have a single player on their roster who is a safe bet to perform at an above-average level next year. The good news is that means the Giants have a lot of flexibility in where they can put whatever players they find to upgrade. They seem locked in to Freddy Sanchez at second and, because of their contracts, Edgar Renteria at short and Aaron Rowand in center. Sandoval can play first or third. Other than that, the lineup is a blank slate that GM Brian Sabean can spend the winter completing.
More Footprints in the Snow

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> Brian WilsonfootprintsFootprints in the SnowTim Lincecum Jeff Fletcher jeff-fletcher 2009-11-21T08:00:00 00:00 What the FIP? Cy Voters Still Missed http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/20/what-the-fip-cy-voters-still-missed/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/20/what-the-fip-cy-voters-still-missed/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/20/what-the-fip-cy-voters-still-missed/#comments Jeff Fletcherby Jeff Fletcher

Filed under: , ,

Chris Carpenter / Tim LincecumSince Zack Greinke and Tim Lincecum won Cy Young awards this week with modest victory totals, there has been much discussion about how baseball writers are finally moving into the 21st century and looking beyond the win column.

Although I'm all for patting baseball writers on the back -- since I am one, and I did vote for Greinke -- I think in the case of the NL Cy Young, my colleagues may have looked past victories, and still picked the wrong guy to make their point.

Let's start with the ol' FIP, or Fielding Independent Pitching. FIP is a stat intended to quantify how well a pitcher performed based solely on the things in his control (strikeouts, walks and homers) without regard to the vagaries of the defense behind him.
More Coverage: Lincecum Ekes Out NL Cy Young

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> Chris CarpenterTim Lincecum Jeff Fletcher jeff-fletcher 2009-11-20T15:30:00 00:00 NL Cy Young Award: Tim Lincecum http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/19/nl-cy-young-award-tim-lincecum/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/19/nl-cy-young-award-tim-lincecum/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/19/nl-cy-young-award-tim-lincecum/#comments Jeff Fletcherby Jeff Fletcher

Filed under: , ,

Tim Lincecum won his second consecutive Cy Young Award on Thursday, pulling out a narrow victory that is likely to be the story of this awards season.

The Giants' 25-year-old flame-thrower edged out Cardinals' teammates Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright in an election that was just as tight and unpredictable as expected, with a twist at the end.

Lincecum (15-7, 2.48) had the fewest victories of any starter to win the Cy Young in a nonstrike season, and he also became only the second pitcher to win the Cy Young without getting the most first-place votes.

Lincecum received 11 first-place votes among the 32 ballots cast, from two writers in each National League city. Wainwright got 12 first-place votes, but he finished third because he had only five second-place votes. Carpenter, the only one of the three who was not named on all 32 ballots, got nine first-place votes and finished second.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> tim lincecum Jeff Fletcher jeff-fletcher 2009-11-19T14:01:00 00:00 NL Manager of the Year: Colorado Rockies' Jim Tracy http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/18/nl-manager-of-the-year-colorado-rockies-jim-tracy/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/18/nl-manager-of-the-year-colorado-rockies-jim-tracy/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/18/nl-manager-of-the-year-colorado-rockies-jim-tracy/#comments Jeff Fletcherby Jeff Fletcher

Filed under:

Jim Tracy didn't even need a whole season to earn the NL Manager of the Year Award, or to earn a three-year extension.

Tracy, who took over for fired Clint Hurdle in late May, became the second manager to win this award after taking over a team in the middle of the season. The other was Jack McKeon, who took over the Florida Marlins early in 2003 and led them to a World Series title.

Shortly after Wednesday's announcement of the Manager of the Year award, the Rockies announced that Tracy had signed an extension through 2012, which had been expected for a few weeks.

Tracy was picked first on 29 of the 32 ballots submitted, from two writers in each NL city. On a 5-3-1 voting system, Tracy earned a total of 151 points, easily outpolling Cardinals' manager Tony La Russa, who got two first-place votes and 55 points. Dodgers manager Joe Torre finished third, collecting the remaining first-place vote and 33 points. In all, eight managers were named on ballots, and none of them were listed on all 32.
More Coverage: Scioscia Honored in AL

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> Jack McKeonjim tracy Jeff Fletcher jeff-fletcher 2009-11-18T14:01:00 00:00 Footprints in the Snow: Athletics http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/18/footprints-in-the-snow-athletics/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/18/footprints-in-the-snow-athletics/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/18/footprints-in-the-snow-athletics/#comments Jeff Fletcherby Jeff FletcherBob Geren and Kurt SuzukiFootprints in the Snow is FanHouse's look at the paths to be forged by MLB teams this winter as they look ahead to 2010.

Depending on your perspective, the rebuilding plan general manager Billy Beane started after the 2007 season has either worked well or has stalled out. The A's have filled up their organization with young prospects, and they had the makings of a very good young pitching staff last year. However, they still managed to win only 75 games -- the exact same total as the year before -- because their everyday lineup is still in flux.

The only position player who has established himself as the long-term answer at his position is catcher Kurt Suzuki. Otherwise, players like Ryan Sweeney, Cliff Pennington and Rajai Davis have played just well enough to have jobs going into spring training, but not well enough to be considered established.

The good news is the A's gave their young pitchers plenty of opportunity to learn in 2009. They started a pitcher 25 or younger in 147 of their games, most in the majors, and just about all of them showed flashes (or more) of brilliance.
More Footprints in the Snow

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> Billy BeaneEric ChavezFootprints in the SnowJack CustMark EllisScott Hairston Jeff Fletcher jeff-fletcher 2009-11-18T07:00:00 00:00 AL Rookie of the Year: A's Andrew Bailey http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/16/al-rookie-of-the-year-as-andrew-bailey/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/16/al-rookie-of-the-year-as-andrew-bailey/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/16/al-rookie-of-the-year-as-andrew-bailey/#comments Jeff Fletcherby Jeff Fletcher

Filed under: ,

For the second time in five years, an A's closer has won the American League Rookie of the Year, but this one came as a bit of a surprise.

Andrew Bailey, who was a longshot to even make the team out of spring training, followed 2005 winner Huston Street in taking the award. Bailey had 26 saves and a 1.84 ERA for the A's, earning an All-Star berth along the way. Despite those numbers, he was considered by many to be behind Texas shortstop Elvis Andrus and Tigers pitcher Rick Porcello in the race.

Bailey earned 13 first-place votes among the 28 ballots cast, from two writers in each of the 14 American League cities. Based on a 5-3-1 voting system, Bailey totaled 88 points. Andrus came in second with eight first-place votes and 65 points, followed by Porcello, with seven and 64.
More Coverage: Marlins' Coghlan Wins NL Award

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> andrew bailey Jeff Fletcher jeff-fletcher 2009-11-16T14:01:00 00:00 MLB's Economic Rebound Could Be Slow http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/12/mlbs-economic-rebound-could-be-slow/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/12/mlbs-economic-rebound-could-be-slow/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/12/mlbs-economic-rebound-could-be-slow/#comments Jeff Fletcherby Jeff Fletcher

Filed under: , , , ,

Matt Holliday / John Lackey / Jason Bay
CHICAGO -- On a day this week when the stock market had one of the encouraging spikes investors have enjoyed more frequently over the past few months, Kenny Williams let out a sarcastic cheer for what it meant to baseball.

"Let's go, let's party," he said. "We've got cash again."

Then, the White Sox general manager quickly returned to reality, at least the version of reality that he and his colleagues have been describing this week at the GM Meetings.

"I don't think it works that way," he said. "We might need to see six months of recovery before we buy into that. We need an advertiser or a sponsor or two to come back to us."

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> Alex AnthopolousAroldis ChapmanBrian SabeanChone FigginsChris CouglanFrank WrenJason BayJohn LackeyKenny WilliamsMatt Hollidayryota igarashiRyotaIgarashiScott Boras Jeff Fletcher jeff-fletcher 2009-11-12T08:00:00 00:00 Boras: Holliday Can Play in Both Leagues http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/10/boras-holliday-can-play-in-both-leagues/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/10/boras-holliday-can-play-in-both-leagues/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/10/boras-holliday-can-play-in-both-leagues/#comments Jeff Fletcherby Jeff Fletcher

Filed under: , , ,

Matt HollidayCHICAGO -- Matt Holliday's performance in Oakland last year might have given some American League general managers a reason to be reluctant before ponying up the big bucks for him, but Scott Boras is ready with the answers.

Of course, Holliday's agent has to take that approach, because the two biggest suitors on the market -- the Yankees and Red Sox -- play in the American League.

Boras said the slow start had less to do with Oakland or the American League than it did with Holliday's own swing.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> Jeff Fletcher jeff-fletcher 2009-11-10T21:02:00 00:00 MLB GMs Pass on Expanded Replay Talk http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/10/no-talk-of-expanded-replay-at-gm-meetings/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/10/no-talk-of-expanded-replay-at-gm-meetings/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/10/no-talk-of-expanded-replay-at-gm-meetings/#comments Jeff Fletcherby Jeff Fletcher

Filed under:

CHICAGO -- Major league general managers either have no interest in expanding the current replay system or they realized the futility in debating something that ultimately owners and commissioner Bud Selig must decide.

Either way, they concluded their first day of formal meetings without any discussion of expanding the system.

Jimmie Lee Solomon, MLB Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations, presided over the Tuesday morning meeting and said that there was discussion about tweaking the current system, but nothing about adding more use of replay.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> Jeff Fletcher jeff-fletcher 2009-11-10T15:55:00 00:00 Don't Hold Your Breath for News on Replay at GM Meetings http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/09/dont-hold-your-breath-for-news-on-replay-at-gm-meetings/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/09/dont-hold-your-breath-for-news-on-replay-at-gm-meetings/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/09/dont-hold-your-breath-for-news-on-replay-at-gm-meetings/#comments Jeff Fletcherby Jeff Fletcher

Filed under: ,

Television cameraCHICAGO -- Expansion of instant replay is expected to be one of the topics discussed when baseball general managers begin their formal meetings on Tuesday, but one of its longtime proponents is not optimistic that his group can effect any change.

"Whatever the instant replay discussion is, I'm going to raise my hand [in favor]," said White Sox GM Kenny Williams. "However, I don't know at the end of the day that vote is going to mean much."

This postseason was full of mistakes by umpires, leading to a national debate about whether the use of replay should be expanded beyond its current scope. Williams said he's been pushing for the use of replay for seven or eight years, but he's come to the conclusion that it doesn't matter what he or other general managers want.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> Kenny Williams Jeff Fletcher jeff-fletcher 2009-11-09T19:24:00 00:00 Few Mysteries as Phils Abdicate Throne http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/05/few-mysteries-as-phillies-abdicate-throne/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/05/few-mysteries-as-phillies-abdicate-throne/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/05/few-mysteries-as-phillies-abdicate-throne/#comments Jeff Fletcherby Jeff Fletcher

Filed under: , ,

Chase Utley and Ryan HowardNEW YORK -- This was not the type of World Series that the Phillies are going to spend much time replaying in their minds. Not long after they watched the Yankees celebrate on the field, taking the title that they won last year, the Phillies were already in full shoulder-shrug mode.

Regrets? Not really.

"They got the hits and we didn't," Jimmy Rollins said. "Simple. There's no science other than that. Get a hit or you don't. And they did."
FanHouse World Series Coverage: Price | Mariotti | Moore | Olson
Game 6: Yankees 7, Phillies 3 | Box Score | Matsui MVP

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> Charlie ManuelChase UtleyJimmy Rollins Jeff Fletcher jeff-fletcher 2009-11-05T03:15:00 00:00 Older, Wiser, Better? Pedro vs. Pettitte http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/03/older-wiser-better-its-pedro-vs-pettitte/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/03/older-wiser-better-its-pedro-vs-pettitte/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/03/older-wiser-better-its-pedro-vs-pettitte/#comments Jeff Fletcherby Jeff Fletcher

Filed under: , ,


NEW YORK -- Pedro Martinez and Andy Pettitte both used the same word to describe how they felt about getting the assignment to pitch Game 6 of the World Series: "Blessed."

Martinez, understanding the similarities between the pitchers go beyond their statistical resumes, added another description: "Two old goats out there doing the best they can and having fun with it."

With the Yankees looking to close out their 27th World Series title on Wednesday night, they'll turn to the 37-year-old Pettitte, while the Phillies will lean on 38-year-old Martinez to try to force a Game 7. The matchup would have plenty of drama because of the situation in the series, but it certainly has an added bit of texture because of what could be the final major league game for either or both of these iconic pitchers.
More Coverage: Playoff Pulse | Phillies Take Game 5 | Short Rest Issues?

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> andy pettittepedro martinez Jeff Fletcher jeff-fletcher 2009-11-03T23:00:00 00:00 Hamels Earns Manuel's Trust for Possible Game 7 http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/03/hamels-earns-manuels-trust-for-possible-game-7/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/03/hamels-earns-manuels-trust-for-possible-game-7/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/03/hamels-earns-manuels-trust-for-possible-game-7/#comments Jeff Fletcherby Jeff Fletcher

Filed under: , ,

Cole HamelsNEW YORK -- Cole Hamels may still have to fight a public perception that he's not ready to pitch a possible Game 7 of the World Series, but his manager apparently has no qualms about giving him the ball.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel isn't saying whether Hamels would pitch that game, but he said on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium that he is convinced that the flap over a Hamels comment following Game 3 was overblown or misunderstood.

"He came in and talked to me [Monday] night, and we sat in there for 10 or 15 minutes and we talked about some of the things that were said, and I felt very good about it, really," Manuel said. "I know Hamels. I've been a Hamels guy ever since I seen him pitch in Lakewood and when I first came to work here. I never, ever -- I want you to listen to this -- never ever questioned his mental toughness because he's just as tough as anybody on our team."
More Coverage: Playoff Pulse | Phillies Take Game 5 | Short Rest Issues?

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> brett myerscharlie manuelcole hamelsphilliesyankees Jeff Fletcher jeff-fletcher 2009-11-03T19:08:00 00:00 Phillies Come Out Swinging to Stay Alive http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/03/phillies-come-out-swinging-to-stay-alive/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/03/phillies-come-out-swinging-to-stay-alive/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/03/phillies-come-out-swinging-to-stay-alive/#comments Jeff Fletcherby Jeff Fletcher

Filed under: , ,

Chase Utley hits one of his two home runs in Game 5PHILADELPHIA -- Phillies hitting coach Milt Thompson didn't need any detailed analysis to get his players to understand what they needed to do differently against A.J. Burnett.

The game plan might as well have consisted of one word: "Swing."

"Be ready to hit the fastball," Thompson told FanHouse after the Phillies walloped Burnett for six quick runs en route to a season-saving 8-6 victory in Game 5 of the World Series. "We let him get first-pitch strikes on us last time and he got his confidence and started getting his curveball over. Tag the fastball. That's all."
FanHouse World Series Coverage: Mariotti | Price
Game 5: Phillies 8, Yankees 6 | Box Score | Series Home

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> Chase Utley Jeff Fletcher jeff-fletcher 2009-11-03T02:23:00 00:00 Hamels Backtracks From Comments; Lee Ready to Help in Possible Game 7 http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/03/hamels-backtracks-from-comments-lee-ready-to-help-in-possible-g/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/03/hamels-backtracks-from-comments-lee-ready-to-help-in-possible-g/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/03/hamels-backtracks-from-comments-lee-ready-to-help-in-possible-g/#comments Jeff Fletcherby Jeff Fletcher

Filed under: , ,

Cole HamelsPHILADELPHIA -- Now that the possibility of a Game 7 start is looming for Cole Hamels, he is backtracking madly from his eye-opening comments about being eager for the season to end, comments that reportedly sparked a clubhouse tussle with Brett Myers.

Although the Phillies still may opt to give someone else the ball for Game 7, assuming they even get there, Hamels said that his perceived mindset should not be a reason for him not to pitch.

"The way it came out was not the way I intended," Hamels told reporters after the Phillies' 8-6 victory in Game 5. "It hurt the way it came out. I was shocked. I didn't even know what I said. It's not what I was thinking."

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> Cliff LeeCole Hamels Jeff Fletcher jeff-fletcher 2009-11-03T01:16:00 00:00 Lidge's Rebirth Turns Out to Be Tall Tale http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/02/lidges-rebirth-turns-out-to-be-tall-tale/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/02/lidges-rebirth-turns-out-to-be-tall-tale/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/02/lidges-rebirth-turns-out-to-be-tall-tale/#comments Jeff Fletcherby Jeff Fletcher

Filed under: , ,

Brad Lidge and Carlos RuizPHILADELPHIA -- The Brad Lidge Story was shaping up to be a happy one this postseason. A guy who had endured one of the worst season-to-season collapses in recent memory was suddenly reborn, it seemed, busting fastballs and throwing nasty, unhittable sliders.

The latest chapter was unfolding on Sunday night, with Lidge on the mound making tough pitches while the crowd roared, anticipating the Phillies completing an improbable comeback victory and jumping back into the World Series.

"I felt good," Lidge said. "I felt like it would be one of those innings that would be a good quick inning. I made some good pitches to Damon. Then very quickly he was on third base. It turned pretty quick."
FanHouse World Series Coverage: Graziano | Price
Game 4: Yankees 7, Phillies 4 | Box Score | Series Home

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> Brad Lidge Jeff Fletcher jeff-fletcher 2009-11-02T02:30:00 00:00 Yankees Pick Burnett on Short Rest for Game 5 http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/01/yanks-pick-burnett-on-short-rest-for-game-5/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/01/yanks-pick-burnett-on-short-rest-for-game-5/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/01/yanks-pick-burnett-on-short-rest-for-game-5/#comments Jeff Fletcherby Jeff Fletcher

Filed under: , , ,

PHILADELPHIA -- A.J. Burnett is scheduled to start Game 5 of the World Series for the Yankees on Monday, manager Joe Girardi announced on Sunday. Burnett would be going on three days rest for the first time this season, although he's had some success on short rest in his career.

The decision was not a surprise, because the other alternative was Chad Gaudin, who has pitched just one inning this postseason. It now appears the Yankees are going to use only three starters throughout the playoffs. Andy Pettitte would be starter on three days' rest in Game 6, but Girardi said he'd have to check with Pettitte in the coming days before finalizing that.

"Our guys feel good this time of year," Girardi said. "We took it easy on them -- that's probably a bad way to state it. We tried to give them som extra rest in the month of September, and they've had some extra rest during the playoffs and we thought that was very important."

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> Jeff Fletcher jeff-fletcher 2009-11-01T17:15:00 00:00 Phils Loss a Nightmare on Broad Street http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/01/phils-loss-a-nightmare-on-broad-street/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/01/phils-loss-a-nightmare-on-broad-street/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/01/phils-loss-a-nightmare-on-broad-street/#comments Jeff Fletcherby Jeff Fletcher

Filed under: , ,

Ryan HowardPHILADELPHIA -- As losses go, this one was pretty ugly for the Phillies. On the bright side, those are the ones that are easiest to forget.

Other than Jayson Werth's two homers, nothing went right for the Phillies in Saturday's 8-5 loss to the Yankees, which left them down 2-1 in the World Series.

The All-Star quartet at the top of the order -- Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard -- was awful, going 1-for-11 with five strikeouts. Starter Cole Hamels had another of his meltdowns, spoiling a promising early performance. The bullpen couldn't hold the Yankees, giving up three more runs as the Yankees ran away.
FanHouse World Series Coverage: Price | Mariotti
Game 3: Yankees 8, Phillies 5 | Box Score | Series Home

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> Cole HamelsJimmy RollinsRyan Howard Jeff Fletcher jeff-fletcher 2009-11-01T02:23:00 00:00 Hamels Still Trying to Break Vicious Cycle http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/30/hamels-still-trying-to-break-vicious-cycle/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/30/hamels-still-trying-to-break-vicious-cycle/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/30/hamels-still-trying-to-break-vicious-cycle/#comments Jeff Fletcherby Jeff Fletcher

Filed under: , , ,

Cole HamelsPHILADELPHIA -- Cole Hamels is the victim of his own success, in more ways than one.

As the Phillies lefty prepared to start Game 3 of the World Series against the Yankees, he was asked repeatedly what happened to the guy who was so dominant last October, when he was named MVP in the National League Championship Series and the World Series.

Hamels not only has had to deal with the emotional pressure that comes with the high standard he set, but pitching so deep into last year's postseason affected his physical preparation for this season, and he still hasn't recovered.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> Cole Hamels Jeff Fletcher jeff-fletcher 2009-10-30T19:10:00 00:00 It's Blanton, Not Lee, in Game 4 for Phils http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/30/its-blanton-not-lee-in-game-4-for-phils/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/30/its-blanton-not-lee-in-game-4-for-phils/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/30/its-blanton-not-lee-in-game-4-for-phils/#comments Jeff Fletcherby Jeff Fletcher

Filed under: ,

PHILADELPHIA -- Phillies manager Charlie Manuel Friday said he's decided to start Joe Blanton in Game 4, rather than J.A. Happ or Cliff Lee, who would have had to pitch on three days' rest.

Blanton gave up four runs, three earned, in six innings in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers. He was behind when he left, but the Phillies won that game on Jimmy Rollins' double in the bottom of the ninth against Jonathan Broxton. Blanton has a 4.66 ERA in three games this postseason. In his career, he is 2-0 with a 3.45 ERA in the playoffs.

"I think Blanton fits for us," Manuel said, "because I think we want to keep [J.A.] Happ right now in the bullpen, especially kind of in the middle where he could do some innings, and also Joe pitched last year in the World Series, and he's got a little bit more experience."

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> Cliff LeeCliffLeeJoe BlantonJoeBlanton Jeff Fletcher jeff-fletcher 2009-10-30T14:58:00 00:00