Phillies 2010 Season Thread

[LBIggle]

The Phillies have a half-game lead over the Braves in the NL East and the best record in the league.

They obviously have plenty of incentive to win their fourth consecutive division title and finish with the best record in the league -- and it has more to do that just having home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Because of scheduling reasons, the top NL team this year has the option of playing an eight-day NLDS or a seven-day NLDS.

An eight-day NLDS would have a clear benefit to the Phillies.

If they play an eight-day NLDS, they would have to pitch only Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels -- and none of them would have to pitch on short rest. If they played a seven-day NLDS, they would have to use a fourth starter (Joe Blanton) or pitch Halladay (or whomever starts Game 1) on short rest in Game 4.

Running Halladay, Hamels and Oswalt out there in a five-game series certainly is enticing for the Phillies.

"It obviously sets us up for success, but I think more excitement," Hamels said. "It sets us up for excitement because we have guys that have the experience or ultimately some of the best pitchers in the game. I think that's how you have to look at it. We obviously busted our tail to get there, but we have the guys to finish the series.

"That's what makes it uncomfortable for the opposing team. To come in, not look at anybody and go, 'We can probably get a couple runs out of this guy,' or, 'This guy we might as well just hang it up.' That's kind of what we have. When the postseason comes it's about three guys that go. We definitely do have those good three guys and we have an unbelievably good fourth guy. But you do have to get there."

Here's a look at how an eight-day series differs from a seven-day series:

Eight-day NLDS

Wednesday, Game 1: Halladay
Thursday: OFF
Friday, Game 2: Hamels
Saturday: OFF
Sunday, Game 3: Oswalt
Monday, Game 4: Halladay
Tuesday: OFF
Wednesday: Game 5: Hamels
Seven-day NLDS

Wednesday, Game 1: Halladay
Thursday, Game 2: Hamels
Friday: OFF
Saturday, Game 3: Oswalt
Sunday, Game 4: Blanton or Halladay on short rest
Monday: OFF
Tuesday, Game : Halladay on extra rest or Hamels on normal rest
I put Halladay, Hamels and Oswalt in that order just because. They might not line up that way because of that final three-game series against the Braves at Turner Field. It might be Hamels in Game 1 and Halladay in Game 2, depending on how the rotation stacks up. It's too early to tell, but you get the point. They only would need to pitch those three guys in an eight-day series, whatever the order is.

[LBIggle]

From zolecki.

Also lidge had a toss yesterday and still expects to be back friday and rollins hammy was most likely just attributed to dehydration from being sick.  At least these are the company lines for now.

[ice grillin you]

this is the dream scenario i was just talking about

Wednesday, Game 1: Halladay - win
Thursday: OFF
Friday, Game 2: Hamels - win
Saturday: OFF
Sunday, Game 3: Oswalt - sweep

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

over a hit per inning in that stretch tho.....cant do that in the playoffs

well lets see him pitch in the playoffs before we rip him

as for now im gonna put a slightly below average 3 game stretch as a slightly below average 3 game stretch

A 4.3 ERA for the ace on a playoff team is not "slightly below average."  A 4.3 ERA for Roy Halladay is about twice as bad as the year to date before that.  So, like I said, he's pitching like a 3rd starter.

im pretty sure bob gibson pitched like a 3rd starter for a 3 game stretch

whats your point stalker

My point is that he needs to pitch better than that against the Braves and in the playoffs.

[MDS]

does ryan howard need to hit home runs too?

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Not really, actually.

[rjs246]

What is wrong with you people?

[ice grillin you]

ha

[Don Ho]

What is wrong with you people?

Need you ask?

[Rome]

What is wrong with you people?

The guys in my car club call me Cruiser because I like fast cars and fast women.

[Drunkmasterflex]

You think he's just playing possum?  Interesting, but no.

Negative....but usually dominant pitchers are dominant in the playoffs. 

[PhillyPhreak54]

Nate Robertson got released. 

[Sgt PSN]

Not surprising when your ERA since joining the team is 54.00.  They also claimed Ceasar Carrillo off waivers from SD

[MDS]

mathieson also on the dl

in other news, j likes sports

[Don Ho]

Nate Robertson got released. 

So my planned media guide burning rally worked.