Pedro Martinez will start tomorrow night's pivotal NLDS Game 3 against the Rockies. The two gentlemen who led the team in ERA for the year will sit and wait until manager Charlie Manuel announces his starter for Sunday night's Game 4.I'm a little surprised at this decision. It's no secret the Rockies struggle against left-handed pitching and the cold weather would seem to be more advantageous for a power pitcher. Compelling arguments could be made for either J.A. Happ or Joe Blanton to start this game. In the end, it comes down to Charlie's gut and for the moment, Pedro is "his guy."
This will be Pedro's first Postseason appearance since Game 3 of the 2004 World Series. He won that game against the Cardinals, pitching seven strong innings and allowing only three hits while striking out six. He threw 98 pitches that night, which is in line with the 85 to 100 pitches Charlie is hoping to get from him tomorrow night. Go Phils!
Team ERA Leaders: To qualify for the ERA title, a pitcher needs to have pitched at least 162 innings. The only Phillies to reach this mark for the year were J.A. Happ (2.93 ERA), Joe Blanton (4.05), Cole Hamels (4.32) and Jamie Moyer (4.94).
I must say, I find the Pedro start a little odd. I admit, as a Sox fan, I'm only paying passing attention to the Phillies, and really only because of Pedro. But, wasn't he just a stop gap pick-up? Was the plan to have him starting in one of the more important playoff games? Sure, if we're talking vintage Pedro he's my first choice. But, has he shown much of that this year?
ReplyDeletePlus, he's never been that great in the cold.
In Charlie we trust. I disagreed with the decision to go with Cliff Lee in Game 1, and that worked out just fine. Pedro has shown flashes of brilliance in a few games this year.
ReplyDeleteHopefully it will be a little warmer on Sunday night.