Phillies Breakfast Links, August 7, 2009: Busted Up Pitchers, Overcrowded Rotation, and One More Honor for Harry Kalas

by WholeCamels on Aug 7, 2009 8:13 AM EDT

Lidge still key for Phillies
It's pretty disingenuous to say that Brad Lidge has "converted all eight of his save opportunities" since his return from the DL. He's had some really dreadful outings.

Phillies Notes: Durbin's return believed near
Thank goodness for that!

PhillyBurbs.com: Kalas to be inducted into Wall of Fame
And I doubt there's going to be a dry eye in the house.

Phils plan 6-man rotation, with a twist
This could get messy. Don't buy tickets hoping to see a specific pitcher.

Phillies' Myers says he feels fine after simulated game
Brett Myers could be a huge boost to the bullpen down the stretch if he's healthy.

John Smoltz can’t cheat Father Time
Wow, he's been really, really bad for the Red Sox. The Phillies have a better rotation than Boston at this point.

Happ's success as starter keeps him in rotation
What took them so long?

Minor Leagues: Trenton tops Reading, 8-4
Of note: Domonic Brown with an RBI triple; Trevor May struck out seven in 4 2/3 for Lakewood.

Tweet Comment 22 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

6 Man Rotation

So long as Lee goes every 5th day, I’ve got no problems with this, and kind of like it.
Hamels always clamors for extra rest, so I’d give it to him and see if it helps him.

Something Like:
Happ, Lee, Moyer, Hamels, Blanton, Martinez, Lee, Happ, Hamels, Blanton, Moyer, Lee…
Plug Lee in every 5th day, then take next most rested pitcher, unless it’s Moyer or Martinez, unless they have at least 2 days more rest than the next least rested person, unless it’s Lee!

Seems easy to me!

by Bilzo on Aug 7, 2009 8:38 AM EDT reply actions

here's how i would do it...

it’s kind of different but bear with me.

lee, hamels, happ, blanton, moyer, lee, martinez, hamels, happ, blanton, lee, moyer, martinez, (at this point, myers will be healthy again), hamels, happ, lee, myers, blanton, moyer, martinez, lee, drabek, hamels, happ, donovan mcnabb, lee, myers, blanton, moyer, chan ho park, lee, adam eaton, martinez, hamels, happ, lee, mitch williams, blanton, that kid from rookie of the year, moyer, lee… and so on.

or we can just put pedro in the pen.

by awd777 on Aug 7, 2009 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions

I was with you until Eaton.

by Screen Name 20 on Aug 7, 2009 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

you also left out Greg Swindle. I think he’s available.

by Bilzo on Aug 7, 2009 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Aaron Fultz?

He of the T-Rex arms?

Eude Brito? Rheal Cormier?

Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?

by mikefive on Aug 7, 2009 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Let's rotate the closer's role...

Okay, maybe not, but we should be looking to give Lidge more rest. His initial injury reports noted chronic inflammation with no structural damage. I’m no doctor, but the more rest he gets, the better he will probably pitch.

by Boundforbeach on Aug 7, 2009 8:53 AM EDT reply actions

6 Man Com'on

Now we have the ability to be flexible. Why do six man. Why not just swap Moyer And Pedro. Moyer is old and after the break he was awsome so he looks like the guy that needs rest. But do not get rid of him. He has great experience to give to Happ and Hammels. Pedro is old too ( to me he is ) he will do good on more rest too. Well maybe not but I don’t think making Lee or Blanton wait to pitch is no good. They are in a rhythm don’t break it. Remember if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

I wasn't even a year old but I stayed up to be outside the Vet with my Dad and Mom when the Phillies won the World Series 1980.

by Christopher A on Aug 7, 2009 10:19 AM EDT reply actions

to much pitching is a pretty good problem to have. idk about moyer though. he is way to inconsistent this year, but the same can also be said for hamels as well.

by asmallvictory31 on Aug 7, 2009 10:25 AM EDT reply actions

Durbz

I fully expect to be enraged when he’s included on the postseason roster. The relievers should be: Lidge, Madson, Myers, Romero, Park, Eyre, Martinez. But you know one of those guys will be bumped for Durbin.

I’d actually keep Condrey or maybe even Moyer, Walker, Escalona or Mathieson ahead of Durbin, but I’d be (delightedly) shocked if he isn’t on there.

by dajafi on Aug 7, 2009 12:29 PM EDT reply actions

Durbin is a servicable middle reliever. He’s not awesome, he’s not atrocious.
As far as bullpen pecking order this year though…it’s just been a crap shoot, none of them have been lights out. They’ve all gotten dinged a couple times.

I would put Condrey ahead of him, but none of the rest you mentioned.

by Bilzo on Aug 7, 2009 1:12 PM EDT reply actions

2009 FIPs

Escalona 3.23
Madson 3.46
Park 3.57
Lopez 3.93
Walker 4.39
Condrey 4.43
Durbin 5.21
Eyre 5.22
Lidge 5.87
Romero 6.07
Myers 6.23

by taco pal on Aug 7, 2009 1:37 PM EDT reply actions

by “but none of the rest you mentioned.” I meant in reference to “I’d actually keep Condrey or maybe even Moyer, Walker, Escalona or Mathieson ahead of Durbin”

Now…as to the 2009 FIP data you have here, you’ve based these values on some miniscule IPs.
Escalonia: 6 1/3
Walker: 16
Durbin: 48

I don’t trust Esco or Walker at all yet.

by Bilzo on Aug 7, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions

and didn’t Escalonia get sent DOWN to AA after his last yoyo event?

by Bilzo on Aug 7, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t claim to be rational on the subject of Durbin.

There’s just something about the guy—I’m gonna go with “the totality of his MLB career other than four months in 2008”—that makes me not trust him.

by dajafi on Aug 7, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions

All I did was list the numbers. Feel free to point out where I editorialized.

by taco pal on Aug 7, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I think he was responding to me.

by dajafi on Aug 7, 2009 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, my bad.

by taco pal on Aug 7, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm not too interested in the 5th spot

With a 7 game cushion, I’m more focused on the post season at this point. And trying to matchup with SF or the Rockies. The Phils should give Pedro a few starts to see if he can be a factor. If he looks good, then it will probably be Lee/Blanton/Hamels/Pedro, with possible the possible switches of Lee/Hamels and Blanton/Pedro.

If Pedro sucks, It’ll be Lee/Blanton/Hamels/Happ.

Either way, I can’t see how Moyer would get a start in the post season.

I see Happ getting skipped a few times over the next couple of months to rest him. Either that or much stricter pitch counts. If he gets skipped, Pedro gets the start. If not, he and Moyer trade a start here and there. Or Pedro comes in for Happ early. If the Phils have it locked up in early Sept. I could see Happ just getting work in and getting pulled in the 4th, with Pedro coming in for long relief. Kind of like putting Happ and Pedro on the same rotation schedule.

by The R on Aug 7, 2009 3:37 PM EDT reply actions

btw, any of those rotations are pretty impressive. Couple of Cy Young winners, WS MVP, and a possible ROY to choose from.

Of the contenders, only SF arguably looks better. Boston is in shambles and CC starts his vacation 10/1.

by The R on Aug 7, 2009 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions

St.Louis and Cubs rotation ain't too shaby

by Freddyd on Aug 7, 2009 4:29 PM EDT reply actions

Forgot about the Cards. Yeah, their rotation is very good. They would be tough if they get in. The Cubs aren’t all that impressive with Lilly on the DL and Zambrano hurting. And Harden has been entirely mediocre this year.

by The R on Aug 7, 2009 6:36 PM EDT up reply actions