Manuel has talked about using Ryan Madson in the ninth inning. He insists he hasn’t ruled out using Brad Lidge, although the presence of starters J.A. Happ and Joe Blanton in the ‘pen during Games 1 and 2 likely confirm the suspicion that Manuel has lost all trust in Lidge. Really, though, the Phillies’ best option to close games is their starting pitcher. Lee threw a 94-mph fastball past Garrett Atkins yesterday to finish the Rockies, and you can bet Manuel and Dubee would love to see Hamels go the distance today. Remember the 2005 ALCS, when the White Sox won four straight games with Mark Buehrle, Jon Garland, Freddy Garcia and Jose Contreras pitching four consecutive complete games? As unlikely as it may be, the Phillies would love to get a similar performance in the NLDS from Lee, Hamels and either Blanton or Happ.
Lee did his part. Now, it’s up to Cole.
Assuming his wife, former Survivor contestant Heidi Strobel, doesn’t go into labor first (she’s due any day now), Cole Hamels will take the mound at 2:37 p.m. for Game 2 of the NL Division Series. And while expectations couldn’t be much higher for the 2008 World Series MVP, he’ll have a tough act to follow after co-ace Cliff Lee threw a complete-game, six-hitter yesterday.
By now, you know all about Lee’s postseason debut. He threw 25 of 32 first-pitch strikes, retired 23 of 26 batters after Yorvit Torrealba’s leadoff double in the second inning, and left the field to chants of “Let’s Go, Lee!” from the largest crowd in the 6-year history of the Bank. But Lee’s biggest accomplishment was completing the game in only 113 pitches and, for at least one day, assuring that Charlie Manuel and Rich Dubee wouldn’t have to answer the question that threatens to undermine the Phils’ quest to repeat as World Series champs: Who’s the closer?
Now, it’s Hamels’ turn.
According to MLB.com, teams that win Game 1 are 25-3 in the NL Division Series. For whatever reason, AL teams have had a much easier time coming back from 0-1 series deficits, going 14-14. The three NL teams to come back from 0-1 deficits in the Division Series: 1999 Braves, 2000 Mets, 2003 Marlins.
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