Charlie Manuel will not send Cliff Lee out on three days rest in Game 4 on Sunday, instead announcing Friday that he’ll go with Joe Blanton:
Phillies’ Joe Blanton Will Start Game 4
↵↵“I think Blanton fits for us because I think we want to keep [J.A.] Happ right now in the bullpen, especially kind of in the middle where he could do some innings,” Manuel said, “and also Joe pitched last year in the World Series, and he’s got a little bit more experience.”
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It’s a risky move for Manuel, especially if the Phils lose Game 3, making Sunday’s game a virtual “must-win.” Although if they then also lost Game 4 in which Blanton pitches, Game 5 would be an actual must-win, so you’d want Lee there. Being an MLB manager is so complicated.
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In Blanton’s last outing (Game 4 of the NLCS), he gave up four runs over six innings in a no decision.
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