myerstownherald.com

The playoffs are all about pitching. Pitching is how the Phillies won the World Series last year. Pitching is the path the Phillies must take if they’re going to win the World Series again this year.
Hitting isn’t irrelevant. The Phillies’ big bats, featuring four members of the 30-plus home run club, are a big factor. But over time, good pitching trumps good hitting.
The Phillies didn’t bludgeon their way through the playoffs last year. They won because of terrific starting pitching, most notably Cole Hamels, and an even better bullpen, featuring Brad Lidge.
The bullpen is obviously no longer a strength. It’s a problem. Specifically, Lidge is a problem. It seemed as if Lidge was “lit up” as often as he was “lights out” this season.
Lidge isn’t the only problem in the bullpen. Brett Myers, who had hip surgery earlier this season, was hurt for much of September. Left-hander Scott Eyre is an elbow surgery waiting to happen. Chad Durbin hasn’t been very reliable. Kyle Kendrick is insurance in case a starter gets knocked out early. Antonio Bastardo is unproven, especially coming out of the bullpen.
The only reliever you can rely on right now is Ryan Madson. But Madson has struggled when moved to the closer’s role, blowing six save opportunities. In short, the bullpen is a mess.
As I wrote two weeks ago, the solution to the bullpen problems is outstanding starting pitching. The complete game by Cliff Lee in Game 1 is a perfect example.
Lee scattered six hits during the Phillies’ 5-1 Game 1 triumph over the Colorado Rockies. He didn’t allow a run until the ninth inning. At one point, Lee retired 16 consecutive batters.
Remember, the Phillies acquired Lee for the playoffs. They didn’t need him to win the National League East, although he certainly helped. They need him for the playoffs.
Hopefully, Hamels delivered a similar performance during Game 2. I am writing this column before the start of Game 2 – those reading my column at www.myerstownherald.com may be reading this while Hamels is still on the mound – so I don’t know if he turned in a complete game victory or was shelled. But either example would provide further evidence of the value of pitching.
If Hamels matched Lee’s performance, the Phillies should have a 2-0 series lead. The bullpen issues will have been rendered irrelevant – at least for the moment.
If, however, Hamels struggled, the bullpen issues will have reared their ugly head once again. Even if Hamels made it through six or seven innings and left with a lead, the bullpen issues will have returned to center stage.
If the series is tied as you read this, the pressure will be on right-hander Joe Blanton. Yes, the Phillies offense may score a ton of runs at Coors Field. But a more likely path to victory is good starting pitching.
Teams generally don’t score eight, nine or 10 runs during the playoffs. Those totals are usually piled up at the expense of bad pitchers on bad teams.
There aren’t any bad teams in the playoffs. Furthermore, teams don’t use their No. 5 starters during the playoffs. Sometimes they don’t even use their No. 4 starters.
The likelihood of scoring tons of runs against a top starter on a good team is slim. That’s why the key to playoff success is good pitching.
As we’ve discussed, the Phillies can’t rely on their bullpen. That doesn’t mean they won’t receive any good outings from their relievers. It means they can’t count on it.
The uncertainty in the bullpen makes it imperative that the starters pitch deep into games during the playoffs.
So, as the playoffs shift to Colorado this weekend, the pressure will be on Blanton and the Game 4 starter. Presumably, the Game 4 starter will be Pedro Martinez, although there’s the possibility it could be J.A. Happ or even Lee, pitching on short rest.
Martinez has not been able to pitch deep into games. At least he hasn’t been able to do that since manager Charlie Manuel let him throw 130 pitches in a decision that created short-term excitement but may have led to long-term problems.
If Martinez starts Game 4, it is likely that the bullpen will be needed. Even if Lee pitches Game 4, it’s asking a lot to have him pitch a complete game without his normal rest in between starts.
That’s why Blanton’s performance in Game 3 is so crucial. He must pitch deep into the game. Even if the Phillies lose Game 3, they can’t afford to use up their bullpen, which likely would be needed for Game 4.
The playoffs are about pitching. In the case of the Phillies, the playoffs are about starting pitching.
The performance of the Phillies’ starters is the key to their series with the Rockies. If they survive, it will be the key to the NLCS and, hopefully, the World Series.
If there is going to be another parade down Broad Street this year, the starting pitchers will have to lead the way.