Charlie Manuel has finally made up his mind, Joe Blanton will take the ball in Game 4. After much speculation over whether Manuel would allow Cliff Lee to come back on three days' rest, something he had never done, Manuel has decided to give Heavy B his second career World Series start.Most Phillies fans will probably be up in arms, wanting Cliff Lee back on the mound against Sabathia. However, I don't really have a problem with this, for a number of reasons.
1) Blanton pitched great in his other World Series start, also coming in Game 4 last year. His career ERA in the playoffs is 3.45, with the Phillies 5-0 in his starts over the past two postseasons.
2) Lee has never started on three days rest. Maybe he could, but you don't know that. What I do know, is that whatever his routine is...well, it's friggin' working perfectly right now. I don't want to mess that up. How about Hamels wins Game 3, the Phillies pound Sabathia in Game 4 and then Lee closes things out in Game 5? Right, sounds perfect.
3) It sets up the Yankees pitching Burnett on three days rest. Will Girardi want to send out Chad Gaudin in Game 5 against Cliff Lee? Probably not. Burnett has pitched well on three days rest, with a career 2.33 ERA, but he's pitched terrible on the road. That matchup weighs heavily in the Phillies favor.
Oh, and maybe this happens again. Watch out, Carsten Charles.
Heavy B, you have my blessing. Go get 'em.
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