Phillies Finally Have Pitching Depth

        For the first time in years, the Phillies have depth in the rotation.  The rotation now looks like this: Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee, Joe Blanton, Jamie Moyer, and J. A. Happ.  Rodrigo Lopez will start for the Philies tonight in San Francisco.  This may be his last start because I don't see him taking anybody else's spot.

        Then there's Pedro.  Pedro Martinez will make a start for Triple A Lehigh Valley tomorrow.  He will throw between 70-80 pitches, so he may be ready to join the big league club soon.  He may have to go to the bullpen and start if Happ or Moyer really start to struggle.  How he'll like that, nobody knows.  Poor Rodrigo Lopez may have to go back to the minors.

        There are some tough decisions too be made for Charlie Manuel and pitching coach Rich Dubee.  With all that said, this is a good problem for the Phillies to have.  

        Note:  Ben Francisco will start tonight for Shane Victorino (bruised knee) in centerfield.  This is Francisco's first game as a Phillie.