The non-stop topic on talk radio shows in New York and Philly had to do with one thing: Who to pitch when and on what rest.
It's annoying, both sides have good points, both sides are totally convinced of their stance and unwilling to compromise, and both sides are convinced they know more the Joe Girardi and Charlie Manuel. I happen to think boh managers are right. Here's why.
Let's start with the Manuel and the Phils. He decided to wait and start his ace Cliff Lee on full days rest. Cliff Lee hasn't started on 3 days rest, has pitched 262 innings this year, and has turned in an all-time body of work for a starting pitcher in the playoffs going on full dyas rest or more. He shut out the Yankees, in their home park, against a DH, in the biggest game of his life, five days ago. One would have to feel pretty confident that at home, against a Molina instead of a Posada, and a Gardener instead of a Cabrera, and a Pitcher instead of a DH, that Cliff Lee is going to turn in a pretty good performance. Nothing is a guarantee, but if you could pick a spot to pitch him, this seems like a nice fit. Oh yeah, and it's an elimination game, Which leads me to my other reason that Ole Uncle Charlie was right...
Manuel knew that with the series tied at 1-1, that there could only be one eliminatoin game: Game 5. It would either be the Phils playing to Clinch, or playing for their lives. Or the other option? A pivital swing game with the series tied at 2-2. In any of those scenerios, I would rather have my ace, who I have all the confidence in the world in, than Joe Blanton.
And my explanation as to why Girardi is right is even shorter. You are up 3-1. Even if you were tied at 2-2, or down 3-1, my thinking wouldn't change. I have three starters. All of them are at least above average. But especially in my seat that I'm in now, just needing one more game, he's doing the right thing. I am going to at worst throw my 3 best starters out there all on 3 days rest, and hope that they are good enough to win it with the best closer ever, and a murderer's row lineup that can go off for a 5 spot at any given point in a game. Burnett, Pettite, Sabathia. Win one. I like my chances if I am Girardi.
So see, everyone wants to second guess. I just want to give these guys credit for getting to this point, having years of professional playing and managerial experience and behind them, and give them the benefit of the doubt that they know a bit more about baseball and their own team than I do.
It's annoying, both sides have good points, both sides are totally convinced of their stance and unwilling to compromise, and both sides are convinced they know more the Joe Girardi and Charlie Manuel. I happen to think boh managers are right. Here's why.
Let's start with the Manuel and the Phils. He decided to wait and start his ace Cliff Lee on full days rest. Cliff Lee hasn't started on 3 days rest, has pitched 262 innings this year, and has turned in an all-time body of work for a starting pitcher in the playoffs going on full dyas rest or more. He shut out the Yankees, in their home park, against a DH, in the biggest game of his life, five days ago. One would have to feel pretty confident that at home, against a Molina instead of a Posada, and a Gardener instead of a Cabrera, and a Pitcher instead of a DH, that Cliff Lee is going to turn in a pretty good performance. Nothing is a guarantee, but if you could pick a spot to pitch him, this seems like a nice fit. Oh yeah, and it's an elimination game, Which leads me to my other reason that Ole Uncle Charlie was right...
Manuel knew that with the series tied at 1-1, that there could only be one eliminatoin game: Game 5. It would either be the Phils playing to Clinch, or playing for their lives. Or the other option? A pivital swing game with the series tied at 2-2. In any of those scenerios, I would rather have my ace, who I have all the confidence in the world in, than Joe Blanton.
And my explanation as to why Girardi is right is even shorter. You are up 3-1. Even if you were tied at 2-2, or down 3-1, my thinking wouldn't change. I have three starters. All of them are at least above average. But especially in my seat that I'm in now, just needing one more game, he's doing the right thing. I am going to at worst throw my 3 best starters out there all on 3 days rest, and hope that they are good enough to win it with the best closer ever, and a murderer's row lineup that can go off for a 5 spot at any given point in a game. Burnett, Pettite, Sabathia. Win one. I like my chances if I am Girardi.
So see, everyone wants to second guess. I just want to give these guys credit for getting to this point, having years of professional playing and managerial experience and behind them, and give them the benefit of the doubt that they know a bit more about baseball and their own team than I do.
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