Charlie & Co. don't need any help from the peanut gallery when it comes to making a decision about J.A. Happ's spot in the rotation...do they? I mean, c'mon guys, you wouldn't seriously consider removing perhaps the most consistent guy you've sent out there over the last few months just to protect the egos of a fading hurler and another one who's trying to come back...would you?
For his part, Happ's done all he can do. Last night he stopped one of the hottest team's in baseball, throwing his second shutout of the season (and his career) in beating Colorado 7-0. Those weren't the Washington Nationals he shut down either; they bring the lumber. Oh, and he stopped a mini free-fall by the Phillies in the process. Can Jamie Moyer or Pedro Martinez say that?
On the postgame show, commentator Ricky Bottalico, who incidentally has grown into the job quite nicely, pointed out why a six-man rotation would be unacceptable. To summarize his points, would you want to wait six days to send Cliff Lee or Joe Blanton out to the mound with the way they've been pitching?
So, Charlie, do the right thing. Heck, Charlie, to the obvious thing. Pedro, whose stamina is a concern, goes to the pen and Moyer, whose velocity and command are concerns, goes there, too, or out to pasture. It's a tough decision, Charlie, but that's why they pay you the big bucks.
Oh, and by the way, Cliff Lee finally got a glimpse of that vaunted Phillies offense he'd heard so much about. He gets his second start as a Phillie today and, no doubt, would like to see it again.
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