Since the Phillies got Cliff Lee the biggest concern is that the Phillies now have, literally, more pitching than they know what to do with. Before Wednesday they had a rotation of Hamels, Happ, Blanton, Moyer and Lopez, with Pedro Martinez to come next week; Lee makes seven. Conventional wisdom says that Lopez will be traded or sent down, with Happ possibly going to the bullpen once Martinez is ready.
Here's a better idea- why not go with a six-man rotation (all of the above but Lopez) for the rest of the regular season? It'll give everyone some extra rest for the remainder of the year, especially the young guys (Hamels and Happ) who have already thrown more innings than they normally have, not to mention the 46-year-old Moyer and the hasn't-pitched-in-a-year Pedro. And besides, they're so far ahead in the NL East it's not like they'll be in a pennant race.
Now I suppose it's possible that the reason no one ever does this is because it screws up pitchers' rhythm, but I think it's the best option.
"they're so far ahead in the NL East it's not like they'll be in a pennant race"
1964...
Posted by: Jeremy at July 30, 2009 05:23 PM