Phillies-Rockies Game 3 Canceled

Tonight's Phillies-Rockies game, scheduled for tonight at Coors Field, has been canceled due to cold and snowy weather. The forecast in Denver tonight was snow and temperatures in the 20s, which would have shattered the record for the coldest playoff game (38°F) in MLB history. It would have been a messy game, and no one likes a game dictated by weather.

So here's the schedule as we know it now: Game 3- Sunday at 10:07pm ET on TBS, Game 4- Monday time TBD, Game 5 (if needed)- Tuesday. Because of this postponed game, there will not be a travel day going back to Philly for a possible Game 5.

Yesterday, Charlie Maneul announced that Pedro Martinez will pitch Game 3, and I expect that decision to stand even with the schedule change. Many people in Philadelphia are wondering if making Pedro is the right decision.

Most people thought that J. A. Happ or Joe Blanton were going to start. Many were not even considering Pedro. But Charlie was. Maybe he considered Pedro's playoff experience, or his 5-1 record with the team.

Nobody can really criticize Manuel's decision, until game time comes. Cliff Lee worked out in Game 1, maybe Pedro will work out in Game 3. Let's just hope the weather forecast changes for tomorrow night!

Pedro Tosses Beauty

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The Phillies have one every one of Pedro Martinez's 7 starts. Pedro earned 5 of the wins himself, and last night's game against the Mets was his best start yet. Pedro seems to be getting better and better as his arm strengthens. Pedro went 8 scoreless innings, with only one run of support.

Pedro was well over 100 pitches in the 8th inning with a runner on second and two outs when Charlie Manuel came out to the mound. Everyone in the ballpark thought Pedro was done for the night, but Charlie wisely left Pedro in and he (well Carlos Ruiz) delivered.

David Murphy took off for third on a pitch in dirt from Pedro. Ruiz made a nice block and fired a throw right to third, nailing Murphy. It was a emphatic play that ended the inning and capped off Pedro's beauty. Why Murphy took off for third on that play is beyond me... but it's probably just good old Mets baseball.

Pedro has certainly done his job since joining the Phillies. He is 5-0 with a 2.87 ERA in 7 starts. The Phils couldn't have expected more from him. I do not see how he doesn't make the playoff rotation if he continues pitching well.

CRAZY Game

This afternoon's Phillies-Mets game was supposed to be about Pedro Martinez's return to Flushing. But as we know, baseball throws us many curveballs (no pun intended). Eric Bruntlett, who was starting instead of Chase Utley, turned out to be the star of the Philles 9-7 victory over the Metropolitans.

The Mets choose to start Oliver Perez. Perez did not even finish the first inning after giving up 6 runs and going 3-0 to one Pedro Martinez. Jayson Werth hit a 3-run homer off Perez before an out was recorded.

Later in the inning (and this was a long inning), catcher Carlos Ruiz took Perez deep with two runners on. So, two 3-run dingers in the first frame. Then Perez, faltering with his command, threw 3 straight balls to Pedro Martinez. After that, Mets manager Jerry Manuel had seen enough and yanked Perez.

So, it was Pedro time. Angel Pagan lead off for the Mets with a long drive to left-center that was stuck between the padding and the warning track. Shane Victorino put his hands up, which is what you are supposed to do when a ball gets stuck in the outfield wall. Meanwhile, Pagan was racing around the bases.

Finally, Raul Ibanez picked up the ball (which wasn't too stuck) and threw it in. By that time, Pagan had already reached home plate with an inside-the-park homer. Pagan later hit an "outside" homer in his next at-bat.

Pedro got knocked around early in the game. I won't blame him for the inside-the-park homer (that was Victorino's fault), but I will blame him for the other 3 runs he gave up. He settled down, giving up no runs in the 4th, 5th, and 6th.

Now to Eric Bruntlett, who entered the game hitting .128. The light-hitting Bruntlett did get three hits in the ballgame. He did have a fourth hit (a triple) that was taken away after the umpires ruled that Jeff Francoeur, in fact, did catch the ball. The original ruling was a hit.

Those hits (however surprising) weren't Bruntlett's mark on the game. In the ninth inning, Bruntlett botched two ground balls (only one was ruled an error). But if it wasn't for those two plays, Bruntlett wouldn't have the chance to orchestrate one of the most exciting plays in baseball.

With the runners going on a 3-2 count, Daniel Murphy lined one right to Bruntlett (who was there covering second because both runners [on 1rst and 2nd] were stealing). Bruntlett caught the ball (1 out) touched 2nd base (out 2) and tagged the runner going to second (out 3). And just in a matter of seconds, Eric Bruntlett had ended the game.

Bruntlett's unassisted triple play was only the second in MLB history to end a game. The first since 1927 to do so. It was a great moment for a player who gets little playing time usually.

Pedro Wins First Start

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The Phillies blew the Cubs away 12-5 in Pedro Martinez's first start as a Phillie. Pedro threw 5 innings at the not-so-friendly confines. He gave up 3 runs on 7 hits. He struck out 5 and walked 1. Not a bad start for a guy making his first of this season.

Pedro's stuff looked good. His fastball reached 94 MPH, but didn't hit that number consistently. But who knows, maybe after some more work Pedro will be able to be more consistent with his velocity.

He had a lot of movement on his pitches. His cutter was cutting. His slider was sliding. And his curve ball was curving.

The Phillies offense has woken up from its slumber. Sure, maybe it was against a young pitcher making his first start, but this game could give the hitters more confidence.

Pedro to Start Wednesday; Moyer to 'Pen

The Phillies have finally announced when Pedro Martinez will make his first start with the team. Pedro will pitch Wednesday against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Happ will start on Tuesday, trying to follow up his complete game shutout. Lee will wrap the series up on Thursday. And Jamie Moyer will move to the bullpen.

The Phillies have finally decided to take my idea and move Moyer to the bullpen. I was telling them to do that even before Happ pitched his complete game. Then everybody else jumped on the bandwagon. I like it when I'm right.

So, Pedro will finally make his much-anticipated Phillies debut. We, MLB fans, will finally be able to see what Pedro's got after all those starts in the Minors.

Also, the Phillies have activated reliever Chad Durbin off the DL. He has a 4.62 ERA in 42 games and should improve the Phillies 'pen.

So this brings up the question: Did I witness Jamie Moyer's last major league start? Just to remind you, I was at the Bank yesterday. If Pedro pitches well, we may never see Moyer in the rotation again. He will most likely pitch in mop-up roles in the bullpen. Sad way to see Moyer go, but the change was needed.

Lee Wins Home Debut; Happ To Stay in Rotation

Cliff Lee has arrived at Citizens Bank Park. He lead the Phillies to a 3-1 win over the Colorado Rockies. Lee gave up only one run in 7 innings, striking out 9. Paul Bako, who has been a solid pick-up, smashed a homer.

In his first two starts, Lee has been as advertised. If he can continue pitching well, the Phils playoff rotation will be just fine. And J. A. Happ better be in it.

General Manager Rueben Amaro Jr. has confirmed that Happ will stay in the rotation, even if Pedro Martinez is ready to pitch, after his complete game shutout last night.

Amaro: "Happ's not going anywhere. He deserves to stay in the rotation. He's pitched very well. He's probably been our most effective starter." Indeed he has, Mr. Amaro.

Amaro: "We still haven't made a decision, but it's not out of the realm of possibility that six guys could pitch in our rotation." Well, pitching coach Rich Dubee doesn't like the idea, nor does Charlie Manuel. I might call that "out of the realm of possibility."

What is not out of the realm of possibility is that Jamie Moyer should move to the bullpen in favor of Pedro. I have been saying this for days, so I'm not going to restate my reasons. Don't release Moyer, just in case Pedro fizzles out.

The reason I don't like the 6-man rotation is because it is giving two rotation spots to over-the-hill pitchers. I'd rather have Pedro and Hamels than Pedro then Moyer. The 5th starter job should be given to either Moyer or Martinez, not both.

Happ Throws Complete Game; Pedro With 11 Ks

J. A. Happ has just secured his spot in the rotation according to everyone watching the game tonight. The 26-year old has just tossed his second career complete game shutout. Happ shut out the Rockies 7-o. The Phillies bats exploded with three homers (Pedro Feliz, Jimmy Rollins, Jayson Werth).

Happ struck out 10 in the game, giving up only 4 hits in his masterful performance. I don't care if Pedro is ready to go, Happ should not lose his spot in the rotation. Just for the record, Jamie Moyer has 0 complete game shutouts this season. Happ has 2.

Happ was hitting the corner all night long, even in the 9th inning. He struck out Troy Tulowitzki looking for the final out of the inning. The fans at the Bank exploded after that pitch, showing appreciation for Happ's gem.

Pedro Martinez threw 82 pitches through 6 innings for Double-A Reading. He struck out 11, clearly having no control problems. He did give up 2 earned runs.

John Finger of CSN wrote this on Pedro: "Featuring a nasty hook and a changeup that was too much for minor leaguers to handle, Martinez picked up 11 strikeouts and threw first-pitch strikes to 18 of the 23 hitters he faced." He's ready for the Majors.

After Happ's performance, Charlie Manuel and Rich Dubee should make the decision and remove Jamie Moyer from the rotation and put Pedro in his spot. That is the only logical solution. Pedro should get his shot and Happ clearly deserves his spot. Moyer is the odd man out.

The Pedro Question

Phillies management will have some upcoming decisions to make regarding their starting rotation. Pedro Martinez is starting tonight for Double-A Reading and could be in the Phils rotation as early as next Tuesday according John Finger of CSN. If Pedro is in, then who is out?

The likely candidate to exit the rotation and join the bullpen is 26-year old lefty J. A. Happ. Happ has pitched well in the rotation, going 7-2 with a 2.97 ERA in 25 games this season. Happ deserves to be in the rotation, and there is a pitcher 20-years older than him who I think should move to the bullpen.

Jamie Moyer is a fan favorite who has 10 wins this season. The problem with Moyer is that he is inconsistent. Last night against the Rockies, Moyer gave up 6 runs in 5 innings. Don't just think I'm overreacting to one bad start.

Moyer's 5.55 ERA is second-to-last among players eligible for the ERA title. Don't let his 10-8 record fool you, Moyer is definitely the weakest link in the Phillies rotation. Moyer has given up 4 or more runs in every other start since June 17. That's just how Moyer is. Sometimes he'll go 6 and give up 3, and sometimes he'll go 5 and give up 6.

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Uncle Charlie isn't even considering moving Moyer (above) from the rotation. Here's is his explanation: "I think it's because Jamie has 10 wins and because of who he is and the fact he's won 250-some games and he's been important to us."

Just because Moyer's a veteran and he's a nice guy and a fan favorite shouldn't factor into the decision. We all like Moyer, but you have to do what's best for the team. And who know's, maybe Pedro gets hit hard in his first few starts. In that case, you put Moyer back.

That's not going to happen though. Poor J. A. Happ will be forced into the bullpen even though he has pitched really well. Rueben Amaro Jr. said they haven't ruled out a 6-man rotation. Pitching coach Rich Dubee has nixed the idea, however.

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. 

Pedro Throws; Phils Interested in Willingham

        Pedro Martinez is one step closer to coming to the Big Leagues.  He threw 64 pitches in a simulated game in Clearwater.  He struck out 6, but you have to remember that he was facing guys who couldn't make a minor league team.

        Pedro said afterward about the outing: "Real, real good,  "Four innings, I was able to do that. I didn't feel tired. I felt like I could still do a little bit more."  Quotes were reported from the AP.

        The Phillies have been saying that starting pitching isn't their only need.  We found out that they looked at closer Chad Qualls yesterday.  Today, they have been linked to Josh Willingham of the Nationals by Chuck Hixson of PhillyBaseballNews.com.  Willingham is primarily a corner outfielder.  Nationals scouts are reportedly scouting the Phils minor league pitchers. 

       Willingham is the righty bat the Phillies want on the bench.  He is hitting .284 with 12 homers and 26 RBIs.  There was a rumor that the Phillies might trade Kyle Kendrick for Willingham, although that report has nothing to back it up.

Phillies Introduce Pedro at Press Conference

        The Phillies have just finished up a press conference welcoming Pedro Martinez to the team.  Questions were directed to Pedro and general manager Rueben Amaro Jr.  Pedro was put on the 15-day disabled list, not because he is injured.  He was put on the DL so he could make some starts down in the minor leagues to build his arm up.

        Pedro said that he feels better now than he did pitching for the Mets last year, going 5-6 with a 5.61 ERA.  Speaking of the Mets, Pedro says he still loves everyone up in Queens.  

        Pedro told everyone not to expect the old Pedro, but he did say that he's healthier than last year.  He said he's excited to pitch for the Phils and that he hopes to improve the rotation.  

        One question asked why it took this long for him to be signed by a Major League team.  He responded by saying that he was picky about what team he wanted to go to.  He said he wanted a contender who planned to put him in the rotation.

        Pedro also said that he is coming here to be a starter.  He does not expect to move to the bullpen but said he would be open to if the organization put him there.  He wants at least a chance to start.

        Someone asked if Pedro expected to be with the Phillies long term.  Pedro responded, "Not too long," but if he pitches well the rest of this season, it would not be surprising if Pedro started next season with the Phils.

AL Wins Again; Pedro Signs with Phils

        The American League has defeated the National League 4-3 in the 80th Mid-Summer Classic in St. Louis.  It was the 13th straight win for the AL.  Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Carl Crawford won the MVP award after taking a home run away from Colorado outfielder Brad Hawpe.

        Shane Victorino was 1 for 2 with a single and a run scored on an overthrow to third base.  Victorino was the only Phillie to get a hit in the game.  St. Louis native Ryan Howard struck out in his only at-bat in the eighth inning with runners on second and third.

        There was some promising news coming from the Phillies today.  Pedro Martinez has been officially signed by the Phils.  The contract is worth $1 million for the second half of this season.  

Pedro Passes Physical. Expected to Sign with Phils

       A story coming from the Yahoo Sports blog Big League Stew reports that Pedro Martinez has passed a physical given by the Phillies.  He is expected to sign with the Phils and hold a press conference tomorrow. 

       Pedro will probably have to pitch a few games down in the minors to ready his arm for the big leagues.  

       

Pedro on His Way to Philly

      A report from NBC 10 in Philadelphia and from Todd Zolecki of MLB.com is saying that Pedro Martinez is coming to Philly to take a physical.  If Pedro passes the physical, he will join the Phillies organization.   He will likely not join the rotation right away because he needs to get his arm ready.

      So, the Phillies will likely sign Pedro but that doesn't mean they are done obtaining starting pitching.  Roy Halladay rumors have been flaring up all week and some sources (including ESPN) have called the Phillies "frontrunners" for trading for the ace.