Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Philly Sports 101

Happ Throws Complete Game; Pedro With 11 Ks

Posted: 05 Aug 2009 06:28 PM PDT

J. A. Happ has just secured his spot in the rotation according to everyone watching the game tonight. The 26-year old has just tossed his second career complete game shutout. Happ shut out the Rockies 7-o. The Phillies bats exploded with three homers (Pedro Feliz, Jimmy Rollins, Jayson Werth).

Happ struck out 10 in the game, giving up only 4 hits in his masterful performance. I don't care if Pedro is ready to go, Happ should not lose his spot in the rotation. Just for the record, Jamie Moyer has 0 complete game shutouts this season. Happ has 2.

Happ was hitting the corner all night long, even in the 9th inning. He struck out Troy Tulowitzki looking for the final out of the inning. The fans at the Bank exploded after that pitch, showing appreciation for Happ's gem.

Pedro Martinez threw 82 pitches through 6 innings for Double-A Reading. He struck out 11, clearly having no control problems. He did give up 2 earned runs.

John Finger of CSN wrote this on Pedro: "Featuring a nasty hook and a changeup that was too much for minor leaguers to handle, Martinez picked up 11 strikeouts and threw first-pitch strikes to 18 of the 23 hitters he faced." He's ready for the Majors.

After Happ's performance, Charlie Manuel and Rich Dubee should make the decision and remove Jamie Moyer from the rotation and put Pedro in his spot. That is the only logical solution. Pedro should get his shot and Happ clearly deserves his spot. Moyer is the odd man out.

The Pedro Question

Posted: 05 Aug 2009 12:03 PM PDT

Phillies management will have some upcoming decisions to make regarding their starting rotation. Pedro Martinez is starting tonight for Double-A Reading and could be in the Phils rotation as early as next Tuesday according John Finger of CSN. If Pedro is in, then who is out?

The likely candidate to exit the rotation and join the bullpen is 26-year old lefty J. A. Happ. Happ has pitched well in the rotation, going 7-2 with a 2.97 ERA in 25 games this season. Happ deserves to be in the rotation, and there is a pitcher 20-years older than him who I think should move to the bullpen.

Jamie Moyer is a fan favorite who has 10 wins this season. The problem with Moyer is that he is inconsistent. Last night against the Rockies, Moyer gave up 6 runs in 5 innings. Don't just think I'm overreacting to one bad start.

Moyer's 5.55 ERA is second-to-last among players eligible for the ERA title. Don't let his 10-8 record fool you, Moyer is definitely the weakest link in the Phillies rotation. Moyer has given up 4 or more runs in every other start since June 17. That's just how Moyer is. Sometimes he'll go 6 and give up 3, and sometimes he'll go 5 and give up 6.

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Uncle Charlie isn't even considering moving Moyer (above) from the rotation. Here's is his explanation: "I think it's because Jamie has 10 wins and because of who he is and the fact he's won 250-some games and he's been important to us."

Just because Moyer's a veteran and he's a nice guy and a fan favorite shouldn't factor into the decision. We all like Moyer, but you have to do what's best for the team. And who know's, maybe Pedro gets hit hard in his first few starts. In that case, you put Moyer back.

That's not going to happen though. Poor J. A. Happ will be forced into the bullpen even though he has pitched really well. Rueben Amaro Jr. said they haven't ruled out a 6-man rotation. Pitching coach Rich Dubee has nixed the idea, however.

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