When the Philadelphia Phillies open their playoff series against the Colorado Rockies this afternoon they will do so with 2008 Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee and not last seasons World Series MVP Cole Hamels. Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel’s decision on starting Lee over Hamels was a no brainer since Lee last pitched on Thursday against the Houston Astros and he will be going on 5 days of rest.
Hamels who also won the League Championship Series MVP last year pitched 3 innings on Saturday, so he would have been going on just 3 days rest. Now Manuel has the option of pitching either if the series goes to 5 games. Here’s the problem I have with this whole scenario. Loyalty.
Manuel had the option of changing his staff around during the closing weeks of the season just so Hamels could get the nod today. Last season the Phillies road Hamels throughout the playoffs and he responded with MVP performances, but during most of the regular season this year he struggled. Lee on the other hand was acquired late in July and he responded with a 5 – 0 start and a 0.68 ERA to go with it, but he struggled mightily in his last 7 starts going 2 – 4 with a 6.13 ERA. Although both struggled in September, Hamels was the more effective pitcher.
My thoughts are, you have to respect your “Ace” and show him some loyalty by naming him the Game 1 starter just like you would name him your opening day starter. I wonder how Bob Gibson would have felt if he was told he wasn’t the Game 1 starter? I hope this move doesn’t backfire?
