Don’t think it was just coincidence that the Phillies made the pitching rotation changes they did right now. Yes, the ramifications of changing the order were due in part so that unreliable starter Kyle Kendrick would only start twice more before the end of the season. As well as the more prominent reason, to try to build a decisive lead in the division during next week’s series against Atlanta.
However, it could be argued that this may also be viewed as a dress rehearsal, to see how a 3-man rotation could fair in the playoffs.
With the changes to the order yesterday, Roy Oswalt now goes into a series, along with Roy Halladay, and Cole Hamels, that has a playoff-like feel to it.
The combined statistics of the trio shows why the idea of a 3 man rotation makes so much sense. Since Oswalt arrived in late July, He, along with Halladay and Hamels are a combined 16-6 with an ERA of 2.35. They are a combined 2.03 ERA with a record of 8-0 in September.
Hamels, who will be given an extra day of rest after his 127-pitch,13 strikeout effort on Tuesday, will start Monday against Right-handed Phillie killer Jair Jurrjens. Jurrjens has handled the Phillies with relative ease in his nine career starts, allowing just 17 earned runs in 59.2 innings. Hamels will have to be on his A-game against Jurrjens, as the opening game of the series may be the toughest.
On Tuesday, Halladay, who just posted his NL leading 19th win, is scheduled to duel with 22-year-old Rookie Lefty Mike Minor. Halladay has dominated the Braves this season, allowing only 1 run in 2 appearances against the Bravos. Minor, who was recently batted around in a 4-2 loss to the Nationals, has not faced the Phillies this season, and should not be viewed as a threat.
The series ends on Wednesday in a game that sees Roy Oswalt face right-hander Tommy Hanson. Hanson has played well against the Phils in two starts this season, holding them to only three earned runs in 11.1 innings, however it is hard to argue against Oswalt picking up the win. The right-handed Ace has been outstanding since coming to Philadelphia, posted a record of 6-1, with a 1.98 ERA since late July.
If the combination of Hamels, Halladay and Oswalt works, and works in dominating fashion, this could signal the start of a foundation of trust in the idea of a 3-man rotation come October. However if it falters, perhaps we will be seeing Kyle Kendrick sooner than we thought. At least he’ll be well rested.
What happened to KK’s volocity? I saw him pitch in Pittsburgh and he was 93 (maybe 94)? In his last start I don’t think he hit 90.
we going back to the series but we will have a rematch with the rays instead of ny
i don’t think it really matters, we have the best 1,2,3 in the game