FTN wrote:guys. its not the bottom of the 9th. there are 3 innings left. Its not the last AB.

Very true, but I'm trying to avoid even getting to the bottom of the 9th.

JFLNYC wrote:

slamjim wrote:

JFLNYC wrote:You'd really let Hamels hit if he's not going to pitch? If you send Hamels up, Maddon won't show his hand. He'll stick with Balfour and you're going to have to make a decision anyway. I'd rather force Maddon's hand by sending up Stairs, make Maddon bring in Price, then send up the General, with Rollins and and Werth behind him. I want to see Price come in because the General homered off him already and Price/Werth is a much better matchup than Balfour/Werth.

Do you want to waste Stairs or Jenkins though?

I'd rather burn Jenks. But I'm afraid if you send up Jenks, Maddon will stick with Balfour because it's a good matchup for the Rays (Balfour's high heat vs. Jenkins' low-ball strength). To force Maddon's hand, you're going to have to burn either Stairs or Dobbs. Originally I though Dobbs, but others pointed out that it's probably better to save Dobbs and I agree.

But...Dobbs is more likely to get a hit than Stairs. Rollins up next, great bunter. Werth and Utley with one out, man on second I'd be pretty happy with.

FTN wrote:guys. its not the bottom of the 9th. there are 3 innings left. Its not the last AB.

But at what point do you treat it like it is? If you believe that Madson-Lidge is going to shut them down, all you need is somebody to get through Tampa's 6-7-8 without allowing a run.

slamjim wrote:But...Dobbs is more likely to get a hit than Stairs. Rollins up next, great bunter. Werth and Utley with one out, man on second I'd be pretty happy with.

But the point is that Dobbs (or Stairs) would have to face Price, both of which are horrible matchups.

slamjim wrote:

JFLNYC wrote:

slamjim wrote:

JFLNYC wrote:You'd really let Hamels hit if he's not going to pitch? If you send Hamels up, Maddon won't show his hand. He'll stick with Balfour and you're going to have to make a decision anyway. I'd rather force Maddon's hand by sending up Stairs, make Maddon bring in Price, then send up the General, with Rollins and and Werth behind him. I want to see Price come in because the General homered off him already and Price/Werth is a much better matchup than Balfour/Werth.

Do you want to waste Stairs or Jenkins though?

I'd rather burn Jenks. But I'm afraid if you send up Jenks, Maddon will stick with Balfour because it's a good matchup for the Rays (Balfour's high heat vs. Jenkins' low-ball strength). To force Maddon's hand, you're going to have to burn either Stairs or Dobbs. Originally I though Dobbs, but others pointed out that it's probably better to save Dobbs and I agree.

But...Dobbs is more likely to get a hit than Stairs. Rollins up next, great bunter. Werth and Utley with one out, man on second I'd be pretty happy with.

* btw - what has happened to Dobbs? He was sick all year and he's been very pedestrian in the postseason...

FTN wrote:guys. its not the bottom of the 9th. there are 3 innings left. Its not the last AB.

If its bottom of the 9th we are already in trouble. I'd throw my eggs in the bottom of the 6th basket and use our best relievers for the three top innings. Worked all year.

Is this turning into too much of a game thread discussion?

/just wondering

Dobbs is 7-14 in the post-season. Not pedestrian.

back to the topic:

http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/ne ... p&c_id=phi

Lead story on the Phils site states:

Should rain push Game 5's completion until Wednesday, Joe Blanton would pitch Game 7, should that game be played on Friday. He would then be on regular rest and would only be an option should Manuel reconsider using Myers or Moyer earlier.

Myers is accustomed to relieving; he served as the team's closer for much of last season. Should he be called upon to pitch Wednesday -- assuming the teams can't play Tuesday -- Moyer could pitch Thursday on regular rest in Game 6. Hamels also could return for a potential Game 7, though he would be on three days' rest.

* I would not discount this. Root for cancellation tonight.

JFLNYC wrote:Dobbs is 7-14 in the post-season. Not pedestrian.

* My apologies.

Interesting. No Hamels (which is no surprise), but Moyer looks likely to get skipped. Hmmm.

Or does that mean Blanton in G7, if Myers is needed in G5. That's a tough read.

BIGPHILLY wrote:back to the topic:

http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/ne ... p&c_id=phi

Lead story on the Phils site states:

Should rain push Game 5's completion until Wednesday, Joe Blanton would pitch Game 7, should that game be played on Friday. He would then be on regular rest and would only be an option should Manuel reconsider using Myers or Moyer earlier.

Myers is accustomed to relieving; he served as the team's closer for much of last season. Should he be called upon to pitch Wednesday -- assuming the teams can't play Tuesday -- Moyer could pitch Thursday on regular rest in Game 6. Hamels also could return for a potential Game 7, though he would be on three days' rest.

* I would not discount this. Root for cancellation tonight.

I fully endorse Moyer on Thursday and Hamels on Friday. Use Myers in the bullpen as the anti-Price. Of course they could just win the rest of game 5, but if they know this will be the plan they could use Myers.

Not starting Hamels on Friday would be idiotic.

momadance wrote:Not starting Hamels on Friday would be idiotic.

* If Andy Reid were the Phillies manager - Hamels would not start. LOL.

I think events will determine the decision. If the game resumes on Wednesday and goes extra innings, Charlie should use Myers, With Moyer for Game 6 and Blanton/Hamels for game 7.

JFLNYC wrote:I think events will determine the decision. If the game resumes on Wednesday and goes extra innings, Charlie should use Myers, With Moyer for Game 6 and Blanton/Hamels for game 7.

Right...except for the Blanton thing

ek wrote:you all are gonna drive yourselves bat $#@! crazy with all this talk

That's the whole point!

ek wrote:you all are gonna drive yourselves bat $#@! crazy with all this talk

Yup. Around p. 5 of this thread it became clear we're all overthinking this.

That said...

--start the bottom of the 6th with Jenkins. If Maddon goes to the lefty, PH Taguchi. Don't risk burning Stairs or Dobbs.

--expect that Lidge can pitch more than an inning whenever it resumes. He hasn't worked since saving Game One. My worry with him is actually rust/wildness.

--Hamels is available if there's a game Friday, but probably not to start. Think Pedro in the last game of the Boston-Cleveland series in '99, or Mussina in the '03 ALCS. He'll be good for 3-4 innings if needed.

BIGPHILLY wrote:http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/Game_postponed_again_could_Hamles_pitch_Game_7.html

Hamles?