Phillies announce JA Happ as Game 3 starter

Also

Jayson Stark has some info on potential game 4 times. From ESPN.com:

What’s known is that Game 4 will start sometime in the afternoon, local time. If the Yankees and Angels finish off sweeps of the Twins and Red Sox respectively on Sunday, the Phillies-Rockies game is expected to be played at 5 p.m. Mountain time, 7 p.m. ET. If one of the AL series is still alive, the Phillies and Rockies would tentatively play at 3 p.m. MT/5 p.m. ET. If both AL series are still going, the Phillies-Rockies game would be at noon MT/2 p.m. ET.

by Hizilla on Oct 10, 2009 1:27 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

This stinks

I have a test at 5:30 that hopefully the prof will let me take early or I am up a creek

Dex Knows
Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point. -C.S. Lewis

by RockiesDave on Oct 10, 2009 1:39 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not dreading J.A. Happ

He’s a nice young pitcher and all, but we get some advantage out of this too — namely the ability to use Ubaldo and Cook in games 4 and 5 on regular rest.

by BroJB on Oct 10, 2009 1:27 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I would still prefer

a 38 year old, right handed Pedro who hasn’t pitched in nearly 3 weeks, to left handed JA Happ.

by Hizilla on Oct 10, 2009 1:32 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs

Correction

10 days.

by Hizilla on Oct 10, 2009 1:34 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Any mention of Happ's knee?

"It is a mistake to look too far ahead. Only one link of the chain of destiny can be handled at a time." ~W. Churchill

by Rock Oax on Oct 10, 2009 1:37 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

From Rotowire:

News: Happ was pleased with the way his left leg responded to treatment Friday, and all signs point to his starting Game 4 of the NLDS on Sunday, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Analysis: “He’s doing fine,” pitching coach Rich Dubee said during a workout at Coors Field. “He ran. There’s very little swelling. He’ll be all right.” Manager Charlie Manuel is expected to make a official announcement regarding his Game 4 starter after Game 3 on Saturday night.

by Hizilla on Oct 10, 2009 1:39 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

So should Smity get the start

you know, in case he can get a lucky hit off Happ again.

"It is a mistake to look too far ahead. Only one link of the chain of destiny can be handled at a time." ~W. Churchill

by Rock Oax on Oct 10, 2009 1:48 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I dunno

I’m not sure I can speculate on lineups anymore – invariably I will be wrong. I think CarGo and Dex will be in there no matter what, but as to the 3rd OF, Spilly/Hawpe/Smith – who knows?

by Hizilla on Oct 10, 2009 1:53 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was being somewhat facetious

about Smith’s hit off Happ…

I am fine with whatever Tracy decides. I’d guess same lineup as game two.

"It is a mistake to look too far ahead. Only one link of the chain of destiny can be handled at a time." ~W. Churchill

by Rock Oax on Oct 10, 2009 1:58 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would still prefer

a 38 year old, right handed Pedro who hasn’t pitched in nearly 3 weeks, to left handed JA Happ.

yea, this. Happ has been very, very good this year. Pedro, not so much.

by Jim Jiminez on Oct 10, 2009 2:11 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pedro is not throwing a tantrum

At least publicly

"It is a mistake to look too far ahead. Only one link of the chain of destiny can be handled at a time." ~W. Churchill

by Rock Oax on Oct 10, 2009 1:54 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

link

"It is a mistake to look too far ahead. Only one link of the chain of destiny can be handled at a time." ~W. Churchill

by Rock Oax on Oct 10, 2009 1:55 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm really staring to wonder if

Manual was gambling that today’s game would be postponed. I think he was, otherwise he wouldn’t have used Blanton AND Happ. This definitely works out in the Phillies’ favor.

-Joe

"Let me see that thong, th-thong thong thong!" -Sisqo
twitter.com/joeneumann

by jcn7vc on Oct 10, 2009 2:18 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

He's not that smart

Mother Nature saved his ass

Happiness is October baseball

by Rawktober on Oct 10, 2009 3:42 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

ARRRGH. This probably means that Smith/Stewart will AGAIN not start.

And you all know how I feel about the catching situation.

Eschew Obfuscation!

by Jeff Aberle on Oct 10, 2009 2:21 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah god forbid we start our better-than-everyone-but-cargo LF

FREE CHRIS IANNETTA

At least against LHP, I mean COME ON

by Andrew Martin on Oct 10, 2009 3:30 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Im sorry, but this is just stupid...

I try and hold back from commenting on this, but seriously, what does Yorvit Torrealba have to do to convince you that he belongs behind the plate every game? I realize that Iannetta did a good job of hitting lefties this year, and has a great OBP, but seriously, the intangibles that Torrealba brings to the field far outweigh Iannetta.
Chris Iannetta hits a walk off home run and everyone thinks he should be back in the lineup on a daily basis…they immediately forget that Torrealba had a game winning hit in San Diego, a game winning sac fly against St. Louis…and then, after he has two good games in Philadelphia, including a home run that was the difference, and you STILL want Iannetta…and don’t start with the whole “look how many stolen bases the Phillies had” watch the replays, all three bases were stolen off of Jimenez, he did a horrible job of keeping the runners close.

Sorry for the rant, but honestly, this is getting ridiculous.

Check out my website...www.rockiesreview.com

by Sandlotkid8 on Oct 10, 2009 11:17 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I want my

intangibles measured.

NEVER SURRENDER DREAMS

Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!

by Russ Oates on Oct 10, 2009 11:39 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Iannetta is a better player the majority of the time, especially against lefties.

Playing Torrealba against them is irrational.

And I can say that without setting off a comment bomb because nobody rechecks these threads.

Eschew Obfuscation!

by Jeff Aberle on Oct 13, 2009 5:46 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I recheck them...

and he is the better player the majority of the time…except in September and October of 2009, where Yorvit Torrealba maybe playing way above his talent level, but is playing at that level non-the-less. Play the hot hand.

Check out my website...www.rockiesreview.com

by Sandlotkid8 on Oct 19, 2009 3:36 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Eh, I'll be the optimistic one here

I was more afraid of the rox making a 38 yr old pitcher with his best days behind him look like the second coming of well, Pedro Martinez. Now at least they’re getting a pitcher that most of the rox are familiar with from the regular season. I’m thinking the leg injury is going to affect Happ in some fashion — perhaps he won’t be able to go as many innings, his velocity will be affected or his mechanics will get all wonky.

Ouchy knees tend to stiffen up pretty quickly in the cold and it’s still projected to be in the high 20s/low 30s.

I can't decide whether I'm hungry or just really tired.

by WalkInRight on Oct 10, 2009 2:34 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Projected to be 45 at game time,

according to weather.com.

-Joe

"Let me see that thong, th-thong thong thong!" -Sisqo
twitter.com/joeneumann

by jcn7vc on Oct 10, 2009 4:43 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

NOAA disagrees with weather.com :)

according to NOAA…projected 22 degrees at 8 pm. But at least it won’t be windy!

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Denver&state=CO&site=BOU&textField1=39.768&textField2=-104.873&e=1&FcstType=graphical

I can't decide whether I'm hungry or just really tired.

by WalkInRight on Oct 10, 2009 5:54 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh, sheesh

I read it right the first time…around 40ish. My bad.

Still going to be rather nippy.

I can't decide whether I'm hungry or just really tired.

by WalkInRight on Oct 10, 2009 5:57 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wake up damn J.A. Happ and let the Rockies face him.

Maybe they’ll drill him in the ~~ass~~ leg. Again.

"You spend a good piece of your life gripping a baseball and in the end it turns out that it was the other way around the whole time." - Jim Bouton

by Franchise26 on Oct 10, 2009 3:31 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

wow

FREE CHRIS IANNETTA

At least against LHP, I mean COME ON

by Andrew Martin on Oct 10, 2009 3:45 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I see what you did there.

I didn’t find it funny, but I see what you were going for.

by alacy9513 on Oct 10, 2009 4:10 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is just bad all around

it benefits the Phillies rotation, makes things tough on our fans (I’m sure there will be less people at the two games now), arggghhh… I see the picture of coors from this morning, but I bet the field is in perfect condition now. I think they pulled the trigger way too fast on postponing it. Yeah, it’s cold but it hasn’t snowed in hours and the field is heated right? Even if it snowed a little during the game it wouldn’t accumulate. I wonder if the organization fought against this or was ok with the quick decision?

by nebraskasux on Oct 10, 2009 3:34 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

it has nothing to do with the snow...

it’s the cold. it’s really, really cold in denver right now and it’s still light out… it’s not prudent to play baseball in weather this cold.

by Jim Jiminez on Oct 10, 2009 3:37 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know, I know

but personally I don’t see that big of a difference in playing in 25 degree weather or in 40 degree weater. Bundle up and play ball.

by nebraskasux on Oct 10, 2009 3:44 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

well, you see, the freezing point of water...

FREE CHRIS IANNETTA

At least against LHP, I mean COME ON

by Andrew Martin on Oct 10, 2009 3:45 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

no offense

but what’s your point?

by nebraskasux on Oct 10, 2009 3:48 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ice vs rain

I’m just being difficult. there really wouldn’t be that much of a difference, but there IS a difference between 40 and 15, as JJ points out below

FREE CHRIS IANNETTA

At least against LHP, I mean COME ON

by Andrew Martin on Oct 10, 2009 3:54 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

it's not even going to be 25...

it’ll be closer to 15 by the game is over. which is very, very cold. i think it was like 35-40 in 2007, and that game was really cold, almost unbearable. you can’t play baseball in 15 degree weather.

by Jim Jiminez on Oct 10, 2009 3:52 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

well, that's not what the hourly forcast says

it says 25 at 10pm, 11pm, and midnight. It always stays warmer downtown. I know it’s very cold as a fan, even unbarable as your said, sitting in the stadium at those temperatures but for a player I don’t think it matters all that much. I don’t want to argue, I hear what you’re saying, it’s just that I just felt really good about the rockies’ chances yesterday, not quite as good right now, that’s all.

by nebraskasux on Oct 10, 2009 4:01 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's 23 right now with a wind chill at about 18.

The hourly forecast does indeed show 25 through the night but, again, a wind chill in the teens. That’s a no go.

by holly96 on Oct 10, 2009 4:04 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

ok, ok

If you all say so. I know when I’m outnumbered :-) I just hope this postponement doesn’t hurt us too bad.

by nebraskasux on Oct 10, 2009 4:08 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fans can bundle up.

Players can wear layers and bundle up in the dugout. But at bat and on the field, they can’t wear gloves. Throwing a ball with a frozen hand is not going to work out very well. Particularly for pitchers who rely on specific grips.

by holly96 on Oct 10, 2009 4:00 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

this

we will not see a right handed starter this series

Happiness is October baseball

by Rawktober on Oct 10, 2009 3:43 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

START SMITH ANYHOW

HAWPE IS A DETRIMENT

FREE CHRIS IANNETTA

At least against LHP, I mean COME ON

by Andrew Martin on Oct 10, 2009 3:46 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, they didn't start Hawpe in Game 2.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see the same in Game 3. Though I agree that I might rather try Smith than Spilly again.

by holly96 on Oct 10, 2009 4:05 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would be really surprised if Hawpe doesn't see any action in this series..

I still believe ! ….mostly

Dear Rockies - Thank you for proving John Kruk is a pertinacious nincompoop.

Troy Tulowitzki - THE best SS in the game..nuff said
Yorvit Torrealba - En Fuego
Brad Hawpe- Hey Big Bad Brad, we NEED you NOW!!! kthxbai!
Dexter Fowler - prowling CF, WC in his talons, stalking the NL Pennant

by SDcat09 on Oct 10, 2009 5:08 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sigh..late to the not-party :(

I don’t know how I feel about this…if its good or bad for us. For me personally, I’m now have serious Rox withdrawal.

Dear Rockies - Thank you for proving John Kruk is a pertinacious nincompoop.

Troy Tulowitzki - THE best SS in the game..nuff said
Yorvit Torrealba - En Fuego
Brad Hawpe- Hey Big Bad Brad, we NEED you NOW!!! kthxbai!
Dexter Fowler - prowling CF, WC in his talons, stalking the NL Pennant

by SDcat09 on Oct 10, 2009 4:41 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

*having

Dear Rockies - Thank you for proving John Kruk is a pertinacious nincompoop.

Troy Tulowitzki - THE best SS in the game..nuff said
Yorvit Torrealba - En Fuego
Brad Hawpe- Hey Big Bad Brad, we NEED you NOW!!! kthxbai!
Dexter Fowler - prowling CF, WC in his talons, stalking the NL Pennant

by SDcat09 on Oct 10, 2009 4:42 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

I just don’t know what to think. I think that peole are forgetting that Happ is not 100%, Lee hasn’t been pitching great against anybody lately except for game 1, and that we don’t have to use a fourth starting pitcher. I think its almost a draw. We get Ubaldo and Cook, they get Lee and Cole back. I think I am more disappointed in not being able to watch the game tonight, but it was a great call to postpone i.

by Rebel14 on Oct 10, 2009 4:50 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Guess I'll wander over to the game thread...maybe see you there!

Go Cardinals!

Dear Rockies - Thank you for proving John Kruk is a pertinacious nincompoop.

Troy Tulowitzki - THE best SS in the game..nuff said
Yorvit Torrealba - En Fuego
Brad Hawpe- Hey Big Bad Brad, we NEED you NOW!!! kthxbai!
Dexter Fowler - prowling CF, WC in his talons, stalking the NL Pennant

by SDcat09 on Oct 10, 2009 5:06 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Knwo what you mean...Now approaching evening. Had a productive day....

Did some laundry, visited my mom, got some food, read all the weather crap and pitching pro/con debates, read some blogs with Phils and Yanks fans calling each other rat turds etc…. and now? Rented an old fav movie to watch for the eve, with the fire place going.

Igor: Dr. Frankenstein…
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: “Fronkensteen.”
Igor: You’re putting me on.
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: No, it’s pronounced “Fronkensteen.”
Igor: Do you also say “Froaderick”?
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: No… "Frederick."
Igor: Well, why isn’t it “Froaderick Fronkensteen”?
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: It isn’t; it’s “Frederick Fronkensteen.”
Igor: I see.
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: You must be Igor.
[He pronounces it ee-gor]
Igor: No, it’s pronounced “eye-gor.”
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: But they told me it was “ee-gor.”
Igor: Well, they were wrong then, weren’t they?

I think RMN will post a Dodger/Cardinal thread for those who wanna chat some during the game.

by GoodOleBoyCo on Oct 10, 2009 4:59 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I cannot stop laughing...thank you thank you thank you.

I so SPILLY that flick. I guess I’ll flip between the poor Buffaloes being ground into BuffaloPatties by the Longhorns and the Cards/Dodgers.

Dear Rockies - Thank you for proving John Kruk is a pertinacious nincompoop.

Troy Tulowitzki - THE best SS in the game..nuff said
Yorvit Torrealba - En Fuego
Brad Hawpe- Hey Big Bad Brad, we NEED you NOW!!! kthxbai!
Dexter Fowler - prowling CF, WC in his talons, stalking the NL Pennant

by SDcat09 on Oct 10, 2009 5:06 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

What's with the hand wringing?

We shouldn’t need to ask for better pitching matchups to win this series. Either we’re good enough to beat the Phillies best or we ain’t.

I say bring it on. Hammels will match up fine with Happ, and then we’ll crush that weak bullpen.

by BroJB on Oct 10, 2009 5:36 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs

by SDcat09 on Oct 10, 2009 5:42 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly!

Henny Pennys!

I can't decide whether I'm hungry or just really tired.

by WalkInRight on Oct 10, 2009 5:58 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't be surprised if we see Dexter bunting to test Happ's leg

if Rox win this series, it will be an incredible achievement

by Kumar_98 on Oct 10, 2009 6:49 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

If they want to be champions

they’re going to have to earn it the hard way.
If that means beating Happ and Lee, so be it.

The oxen are slow, but the earth is patient.

by rockieprogress on Oct 10, 2009 8:33 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm not too worries about Happ

He is a rookie still, pitching the swing game. There will be a ton of pressure on him. I just hope we are patient and wait for the right pitches to hit.

by mkorpal on Oct 11, 2009 12:05 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs