Manager Charlie Manuel decided to keep the same pitching order for the NLCS as he did for the NLDS.
PHILADELPHIA - When lining up their National League Championship Series rotation, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel and pitching coach Rich Dubee opted to weigh more into what they've been watching of late, not what happened months and years ago.
Thus, Cole Hamels, the author of a five-hit, complete-game shutout in the Phillies' Game 3 Division Series clincher in Cincinnati last weekend, won't be bumped up to start Game 2 of the NLCS Sunday night at Citizens Bank Park so that he doesn't have to pitch Game 3 in AT&T Park, a pitcher-friendly ballpark where he's had past mound struggles.
In four career starts in San Francisco, Hamels has a 6.12 ERA. This season, he turned in a mediocre four-run, six-inning no-decision there in April.
"I like Cole pitching in AT&T Park," Manuel said Thursday. "I've seen him pitch good there, and I'm very confident with him pitching there."
Game 3 also is a matinee, and Hamels traditionally has been better in night starts, although this year the difference isn't significant - 3.34 ERA in 14 day starts, 2.87 ERA in 19 night outings.
At this point, the Phillies don't care where Hamels pitches. Before his NLDS gem, the 26-year-old left-hander finished the regular season by posting a 1.63 ERA over his final eight starts.
"With all due respect to Roy Halladay and Roy Oswalt - those guys have pitched great - but I don't know if there's a more consistent guy (than Hamels) over the last 6-7 weeks," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said.
Just like in the NLDS, the Phillies will go with Halladay in Game 1, Oswalt in Game 2 and Hamels in Game 3. For now, Joe Blanton is penciled in as the Game 4 starter, but Manuel might opt for Halladay on short rest if the Phillies trail after three games.
"I'm a day-to-day guy," Manuel said. "At the same time, we have a plan. I felt like Blanton goes in the 4 slot for us."
One more arm
The Phillies are expected to go with 11 pitchers in the best-of-seven NLCS, up one from the 10 they carried in the best-of-five NLDS.
Kyle Kendrick, the Phils' No. 5 starter, is the favorite to be added to the roster as a long reliever over relievers Danys Baez and rookie David Herndon.
The Phillies have won seven consecutive Game 1s since dropping the opener of their 2007 NLDS with Colorado, which swept the series.
PhillyBurbs.com
PHILADELPHIA - When lining up their National League Championship Series rotation, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel and pitching coach Rich Dubee opted to weigh more into what they've been watching of late, not what happened months and years ago.
Thus, Cole Hamels, the author of a five-hit, complete-game shutout in the Phillies' Game 3 Division Series clincher in Cincinnati last weekend, won't be bumped up to start Game 2 of the NLCS Sunday night at Citizens Bank Park so that he doesn't have to pitch Game 3 in AT&T Park, a pitcher-friendly ballpark where he's had past mound struggles.
In four career starts in San Francisco, Hamels has a 6.12 ERA. This season, he turned in a mediocre four-run, six-inning no-decision there in April.
"I like Cole pitching in AT&T Park," Manuel said Thursday. "I've seen him pitch good there, and I'm very confident with him pitching there."
Game 3 also is a matinee, and Hamels traditionally has been better in night starts, although this year the difference isn't significant - 3.34 ERA in 14 day starts, 2.87 ERA in 19 night outings.
At this point, the Phillies don't care where Hamels pitches. Before his NLDS gem, the 26-year-old left-hander finished the regular season by posting a 1.63 ERA over his final eight starts.
"With all due respect to Roy Halladay and Roy Oswalt - those guys have pitched great - but I don't know if there's a more consistent guy (than Hamels) over the last 6-7 weeks," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said.
Just like in the NLDS, the Phillies will go with Halladay in Game 1, Oswalt in Game 2 and Hamels in Game 3. For now, Joe Blanton is penciled in as the Game 4 starter, but Manuel might opt for Halladay on short rest if the Phillies trail after three games.
"I'm a day-to-day guy," Manuel said. "At the same time, we have a plan. I felt like Blanton goes in the 4 slot for us."
One more arm
The Phillies are expected to go with 11 pitchers in the best-of-seven NLCS, up one from the 10 they carried in the best-of-five NLDS.
Kyle Kendrick, the Phils' No. 5 starter, is the favorite to be added to the roster as a long reliever over relievers Danys Baez and rookie David Herndon.
The Phillies have won seven consecutive Game 1s since dropping the opener of their 2007 NLDS with Colorado, which swept the series.
PhillyBurbs.com
